AIRPORT NANNIES? GET REAL. ALSO: AIR CANADA LABOUR WOES

Spotted an item the other day that said Etihad Airways is bringing in nannies to help

entertain children of elite passengers who use their premium lounge at Abu Dhabi airport.

This, presumably, will allow mummy and daddy to peruse the newspaper or drink themselves

silly and not to have to deal with annoying children wanting (the nerve) to be entertained.

 

Honestly, it boggles the mind. If you're taking your children with you on a trip, shouldn't you want

to be with them?

 

There have been known to be long delays at airports, so at least in theory this might have some use. And at least this involves pampering for children and parents. Don't get me started on how people

keep complaining that their pets should be allowed on board an airplane because poor little

Fifi gets terrified in the cargo hold.

 

It's a joke. Pets don't belong in the passenger compartment of an airplane.

 

And kids don't deserve to be shunted off to a nanny at an airport lounge.

 

NO OLYMPIC WORRIES?

 

It might take a few more days for Air Canada's labour situation to clear

up. But a spokesman for their biggest union says they won't use the

Vancouver 2010 Olympics as a bargaining chip to try to get a better deal

from the airline.

 

The bargaining team for the International Association of Machinists and

Aerospace Workers is meeting today amongst themselves and wants to meet

Friday with Air Canada. They narrowly voted earlier this week (50.8 per

cent to 49.2 per cent) to reject a tentative contract that would have

frozen their wages for almost two years.

 

Union spokesman Bill Trbovich  said finance and clerical divisions approved

the same collective agreement and all union membership needs to approve the

deal so that there’s a united front when it comes time for Air Canada to

ask the federal government for changes in pension legislation, according to

a Canadian Press report. Air Canada says it needs immediate pension relief,

and is seeking $600 million in loans to survive the recession.

 

It's probably a tempting target, but Trbovich said the Olympics won't be

used as leverage for a better deal.

 

“If we have a contract and they go ahead and try to disrupt the Olympics,

it would be a wildcat strike, which would be illegal. And we’re not going

to do that. You’d get fined and thrown in jail.”

 

 

HORSESHOE RESORT DEALS

 

Horseshoe Resort near barrie is offering a series of special packages. The Operation Elevation deal starts at $259 per night and provides a room for two adults and two kids, breakfast for all four people and an "Abraska Family Treetop Adventure" for all four. There also are ATV trips on a Rhino Safari, golf packages and other deals.

 

Go to www.horseshoeresort.com