by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 28, 2012 | Airlines, Industry News |
UPDATE: Since posting this originally at 8:00am on 28 February, EUROCONTROL IS NOW REPORTING that Frankfurt’s airport may be closed tomorrow from 6:00a to 12:00p tomorrow, 29 February due to a sympathy strike by Air Traffic Controllers….
In news from Frankfurt this morning, it appears that the labor union representing the ground handlers that are currently on strike is seeking to recruit Air Traffic Controllers to join the strike. GdF, the German union who represents the airport workers currently on strike came out with a plea for Air Traffic Controllers to join the strike as a sign of solidarity on Wednesday 29 March from 5:00a to 11:00a local Frankfurt time. If Controllers agree, it could lead to 300 flight disruptions or cancellations. With the current strike, approximately 150-200 flights are being canceled daily with the brunt of these cancelations being burdened by Lufthansa.
In my opinion this is where the Union really loses substantial credibility with me. Normally I am not a fan of unions, and I am not one in this case. However, I can understand the ground handler strike. With a new runway open there’s more activity at the airport, and they feel they deserve more compensation for a higher work load. I get that and hope a favorable resolution is reached (selfishly, please have this resolved by May 1 ahead of my travel to Germany, Istanbul and London!).
What I don’t like is the new tactic of dragging in Air Traffic Controllers who are at this point innocent bystanders, and most likely happy with their jobs and using them as pawns in the union’s scheme. Something like this will just lead to all parties digging in their heels even deeper and creating additional animosity. Thoughts? Am I wrong here?
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 27, 2012 | Industry News |
Being reported today by SeattlePI, it looks like Boeing is finally going to turn over the keys to the first passenger version of the 747-8i.
No major official ceremonies are planned and it appears that the delivery will be very much off the radar. Rumors have circulated suggesting it is a Boeing Business Jet configuration and may be headed off to serve the government of Kuwait. This article suggested that it may be going to Qatar and be placed into service for the Qatari government.
By the way, wouldn’t everyone agree its time for a new Air Force One?? I would think our government would want to show off the latest and greatest technology first!
In any event, the new 747-8i finally gets to go to a new home, and the rest of us need to wait another month or so to get our hands on Lufthansa’s edition!!
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 26, 2012 | Industry News |
I came across this article from Foxnews.com reporting that a whistleblower who works at the Westchester Country Airport (New York City Metro Area) has come forward with revelations that involve controllers napping in the tower, using their cell phones and other violations based on FAA policies for Air Traffic Controllers.
The FAA has extremely rigid rules and regulations as to what is acceptable Controller behavior in an Airport Tower and this black eye is not going to do any favors for the Airport or the FAA. The airport in it’s defense has suggested that it has special FAA approval due to a broken elevator that allows Controllers to take breaks in the tower. This comment made me chuckle a bit. I wonder if the stairs are broken as well. The whistleblower indicated that these behaviors have been in place for years. I’ll let the FoxNews piece tell the rest of the story.
Unfortunately I don’t think we’ve heard the end of this one.
