by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 8, 2012 | Uncategorized |
In what is becoming an all too common theme in European Aviation, Iberia Pilots are set to strike in Spain on Easter Monday as their protest to the March 25th launch of Iberia Express, a low cost carrier. According to Iberia, 127 flights have been canceled including 54 domestic, 64 European and 9 Trans-Atlantic flights.
Sepla, the Spanish pilot’s union has indicated that there maybe as many as 30 stoppages going forward with the next ones scheduled for Friday April 13 and Monday April 16. Strikes are actually already scheduled for every Friday and Monday until July 20. Their motivation for calling the strike is based on what they perceive is a violation of the collective bargaining agreement between it and Iberia. IAG, the parent of Iberia (and British Airways) decided to launch the low cost carrier to compliment Iberia’s existing and profitable long haul network by establishing a low cost feeder solution. The union claims that this move can ultimately lead to 8000 lost jobs.
Based on Iberia’s calculations, they stand to lose 3 million Euros for each day of the work stoppage.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 8, 2012 | Uncategorized |
A bit off topic on this Easter Sunday, but something that I thought to share.
My wife and I have always been “dog” people and have always had a dog or 2 in our “pack”. We had 2 Jack Russell Terriers until one of them, Rocky, lost a battle to cancer almost 2 years ago. That left us with Torre to be the head hound of the household but we always missed having that extra set of 4 legs running around the house and no doubt Torre missed having a playmate.
That ends this week….
My wife has been eyeing local rescue shelters over the last several weeks and had come across a pooch that we just could not say no to. She discovered another Jack Russell Terrier, but one who’s story would break almost anyone’s heart. She was discovered under a bridge on a cold winter night in January here in Grand Rapids, pregnant with puppies. The person who discovered her brought her to the “pound” who indicated that she would be euthanized because she was a pregnant stray. From there, a rescue shelter was notified and she was taken there so that she can give birth to her pups.
This is where we found her. Her pups have all been spoken for, and are days away from finishing their weaning. This left the mother unspoken for and our fear was that she would go with out a home or meet with an even worse fate. The shelter estimates her to be about 14 months old. Up until now she seems to have led a very rough early part of her life but this is about to change. The way I look at it, this young pup has won the canine version of MegaMillions and will have a great home going forward.
We decided to name her “Zorka” after the dog that had lived on our family’s farm in Slovakia for over 24 years. Hopefully our Zorka will have the same longevity!
Here are a couple of pictures of Zorka from our recent trip to the shelter:
by Lufthansa Flyer | Apr 8, 2012 | Uncategorized |
I have to give credit to my wife for this post. She has become a great set of eyes and ears for me when it comes to unique content ideas.
Today, she found a great article on DailyMail.co.uk that explored some of the more unique options that are available for those of us who have miles to burn in our frequent flyer programs.
The article highlighted the following handful airlines and their unique redemption options:
LUFTHANSA:
For 2.345 million miles you can book a one way private jet charter from Rimini, Italy to Nice, France.
AIR CANADA:
286,000 miles gets you a PRIVATE 5 day train tour of Morocco.
AIR FRANCE / KLM:
For Flying Blue Members, $167.00 or 50,000 miles for a ‘Heritage Flight’ on a DC-3
AVIANCA:
For 8,250 miles you can get a hot lather shave at a premier spa in New York City.
AMERICAN AIRLINES:
For 14,700 miles you can sign up to tour the beer halls of Brussels.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES:
For 213,750 points you can have a seat for a flight on a SIAI Marchetti Fighter Jet.
AND THE ABSOLUTE CHERRY ON TOP OF THE MILES REDEMPTION CHART:
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA offers a seat on a sub-orbital flight on Virgin Galactic for only 25 million points.
What has been your most unique miles redemption?
In what is becoming an all too common theme in European Aviation, Iberia Pilots are set to strike in Spain on Easter Monday as their protest to the March 25th launch of Iberia Express, a low cost carrier. According to Iberia, 127 flights have been canceled including 54 domestic, 64 European and 9 Trans-Atlantic flights.
