What are options with a striking airline

[hercamore]

Off topic, but so many experts out there.

DS set to fly home from Heathrow on United next week. United may strike Where do I look to find out his options as far as switching to another airline. Currently,he's booked from Heathrow to Chicago to Lansing.

Thanks for any info.

herc.

 

[Nik's Mom]

My friend's husband is a United pilot and she has not mentioned a strike to me. Where did you hear this? Was it on the news?

 

[DebbieB]

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-12-31-united-strike_x.htm

 

[CarolA]

Well, the rules are different for international travel.

However, United should still have gate agents and ticket agents who can "write" the ticket over to another airline. So... as soon as you hear offical word, call United and get him rebooked. He will probably have to get to the airport very early. Normally you have to check in with United and then with the "new" airline. (I am not sure how this works on international rebookings)

It wouldn't hurt to research his other flight options and just tell the United agent what you want, might speed up the process.

Your biggest risk is that the do what AA did years ago.... AA would not admit they were not going to fly until the FA did not show up and THEN they would write you over. It was a nightmare!

 

[Docsknotinn]

I'll vouch for that AA "non-strike" nightmare experience. I was at LAX trying to get to Hawaii when AA decided not to work. Not something I'd ever wish on anyone. There were no gate agents that I recall or maybe the mob was just so big I didn't deal with it. Getting tickets anyplace was next to impossible. I would suggest just looking at options and prices in advance so if something happens he will know which ticket counter to head for first. If he gets stateside things should be a bit simpler ( hopefully ) for him to get back. Hopefully he has a laptop so he can keep up with the news.

 

[safetymom]

For information dealing with bankruptcy, freq. flyer miles and tickets, etc. I suggest visiting www.flyertalk.com

You will find lots of great information on those boards.

 

[hercamore]

Yeah, could be bad.

Communicaiton between DS and myself is difficult right now. He's in Athens today, leaving for London, shortly, taking rail to Nottingham to visit friend.

Getting to the airport early is not muich of an option for him. He's got a 3 hr ride back form Nottingham, then subway ride thru Londton to Heathrow. Brit Rail may also strike.

He needs to be at work Friday, so I better get checking o other airlines. NW , maybe. He has no laptop.

Thanks for help.

 

[coasterville]

I'm not sure about a strike situation and international travel, but I can say that we had a pretty seemless transfer when we had a flight cancellation problem with an overseas trip.

It was 2001, we were headed to Italy, when Delta scrubbed our flgiht to New York City. Delta put us instead on a flight to London's Gatwick airport, and made arangements for us to fly on to Italy via British Airways. (Whom is NOT to my recollection in Delta's Skyteam alliance). Delta gave us the proper flight vouchers before we left our local airport, which we took to the BA ticketing agent in London. Had a seat reserved and ticketed in less than 5 minutes.

I can only hope that if the worst comes, your international travel situation can be as smoothly handled. we don't know who took care of the luggage transfer, but we didn't even have to recheck my bags, and yes there were waiting for us in Venice.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I'm not sure what your time window is, you might be able to find more options out of Gatwick with other carriers that don't use Heathrow. I think Delta used to run out of Gatwick as well as Virgin Atlantic. Not sure about Coninental. If your husband left from Lansing Mi then NW would be your best bet because they could get him back there on one through ticket. I would hope that the machinists deal with United is just a squeeeze play for a contract but it sure would pay to be informed and ready. Continental would likely take him through NJ and Delta likely Atlanta. VA I think would be to JFK and that's almost always my last choice. I hope his flights on United stand.