British Airways warns of "massive disruptions"...Silly travel tips...Sunwing snub?

Not good. British Airways today said travellers face "massive disruptions" after cabin crew voted more than 90 per cent to walk off the job for 12 days, starting Dec. 22.

Bah, humbug. Unless they're being forced to work for slave wages, it's the height of irresponsibility to actually walk out over the Christmas holidays. Negotiate and act tough, for sure. I'm a union guy and I understand that. But to actually go out on strike over Christmas and leave thousands, likely tens of thousands, of people stranded? Not good.

British Airways cabin crew say they're fed up with layoffs and other changes. But the airlines people aren't buying it.

“A 12-day strike would be completely unjustified and a huge over-reaction to the modest changes we have announced for cabin crew which are intended to help us recover from record financial losses.” 

They labelled the Dec. 22 walkout a "cynical decision (that) betrays a total lack of concern for our customers, our business and other employees within British Airways."

 

This promises to get even nastier in coming days.

SILLY TRAVEL TIPS

I almost always learn something when I check out the readers tips section in Budget Travel magazine. The December issue has an item from somebody suggesting you can avoid getting gunk all over your shoes by taking advantage of the free shower caps that some hotels give out. It makes sense. You also could wash your shoes.

The one that struck me as bizarre was an item where someone said they wrap their cellphone charger around their suitcase handle so they don’t forget it in their hotel room. Isn't that a bit extreme. Why not  carry bright pink post-its in your carry-on bag and stick one on your forehead with a request for the person at the hotel check-out desk to ask you if you’re sure you packed your cellphone charger? That also would work.

SUNWING SNUB?

Associated Press reports that Canada's Sunwing Airlines isn't taking offence at the fact that there was no welcoming ceremony in Grenada when it made its inaugural flight last month.

"The absence of formal fanfare for the Nov. 23 flight prompted an outcry from the island's tourism industry and led to the suspension of Grenada's top tourism official, " AP reported. But they quoted Sunwing vice president Lawrence Elliott as saying in a letter that he was "not offended by any lack of a formal greeting for the first flight into Grenada."

Even so, the island will try to make things right with a formal welcoming ceremony for Sunwing on Monday. As well they should. With travel still suffering around the world and Canada being a major market for the Caribbean, it wouldn't hurt to have a brass band..or three. Maybe some egg nog with Grenada nutmeg, just for good measure. (This is funny; I went to change the type face on that last sentence from black to a shade of brown and clicked on this colour, which is called "nutmeg." Okay, it's not THAT funny.)

JIM'S DEALS OF THE DAY

Sale extended! Continue to save up to 50% off with Air Canada

http://www.travelalerts.ca/ccount12/click.php?id=1885

 

US$409 - 6 night Brazilian cruise from Sao Paulo (US$494 w/tax)

http://www.travelalerts.ca/ccount12/click.php?id=1886