by Lufthansa Flyer | Nov 14, 2016 | Featured, Lufthansa, Strike |
Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), the union that represents LUFTHANSA pilots has announced today that a strike is imminent and offered to only provide a 24-hour warning ahead of the walk out.
The latest threat comes after negotiations fell apart between LH and the union. If the strike takes place, it will be the 14th that has been called due to the ongoing battle between union and LH management. The biggest issues continues to revolve around pilot benefits for early retirement, as well as a pay hike. As far as the increase in pay is concerned, the union is looking for a 3.6% increase while Lufthansa has countered at 2.5%.
The union offered no further details in terms of what flights would be targeted should they decided to walk off the job, again.
LH’s management has responded to this latest threat with obvious disappointment but also announced that it was ready to re-engage in talks with the union.
Sounds like a scene from Groundhogs Day doesn’t it?
by Lufthansa Flyer | Nov 14, 2016 | Delta, Featured, Grand Rapids, Plane Spotting, Southwest |
I finally get to add ‘Moon Shots’ to my gallery……
With the Super Moon taking place on November 13 and 14, I decided to head to the observation area at Grand Rapids / Gerald Ford Airport to see what might happen when you combine a wide open view of the horizon, a moonrise, and the potential for aircraft to get into the mix.
Traffic was light, as is normal for ‘GRR’ on a Sunday evening but 2 aircraft did show up to provide decent scenes. In the first shot, a Southwest 737 thankfully was 15 minutes early and cut in front of the Moon perfectly as the bird turned to its final approach.
The second opportunity came when a Delta Regional Jet arrived from the east and made a perfect pass ‘beneath’ the moon. Unfortunately that was the only traffic that came in while the moon transited through flight path into GRR.
Tomorrow looks more promising since the moon will rise later, which coincides with a few more GRR arrivals and departures.
Southwests 737 turns to final into GRR
A Delta regional jet sneaks in beneath the Moon.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Nov 10, 2016 | Featured, Lufthansa, On Board Experience, Passenger Experience |
LUFTHANSA has announced that passengers will be able to purchase insurance to protect their electronic devices against damage and theft during an entire trip. The ability to purchase the coverage will be included during the booking process and can be added to an itinerary up until the day of departure.
The insurance covers most electronic devices such as tablets, phones, notebooks, etc. The protection provides coverage against damage due to spills, drops, glass breakage, and damage due to the ‘elements’. It also covers damage caused by overheating or fire. The coverage is pro-rated based on the age of the item. Passengers do not have to register their devices in order to receive coverage.
The cost of the insurance is €39.99 for individual travelers and €49.99 for a family ‘plan’. The coverage protects the traveler for the first 42 days of a trip. However the coverage resets for every trip for one year (from the date of original purchase of insurance). For example, if I take a 30-day trip starting today and buy the coverage, I’ll obviously be covered. When I take another trip in 3 months, the policy will still be in force, and it will start another 42 day period. There is no limit on the amount of trips that are covered within the policy year.
The coverage is pro-rated based on the age of the insured device. A device that is less than one year old is insured for full replacement (maximum of €3000). For devices between 1 and 2 years old, coverage will be capped at 80% of value, and for devices between 3 and 5 years old, coverage is capped at 60%. There is no coverage for devices that are older than 5 years.
I wish this coverage had been available 3 years ago when turbulence on a flight between Munich and Hong Kong decided to knock over a bottle of water and fried my MacBook Pro!
