Sorry Yogi Berra, but your insight is appropriate….
Just a few weeks ago, everyone was optimistic and singing Kumbaya at the prospects that a deal between Lufthansa and their pilot’s union was going to happen soon.
Unfortunately all of that premature optimism has been shattered and the Union has vowed that it can and will go on strike literally at ‘ANY TIME’.
Negotiations between the 2 sides broke down last night after agreements could not be reached on cost cuts and relocating of pilot jobs to other Lufthansa Group airlines that are not subject to the same (or any) labor agreements.
If your travels involve LH in the coming days and weeks, please pay close attention. These strikes typically come with only 24 hour notice. However, LH has done a reasonably good job in making it easy to rebook your tickets on flights with other carriers.
Stay tuned…. 🙁
Thanks for the warning–the imminent threat was sufficient to convince me to rebook this weekend’s east-bound trip to ensure we’re reliant on other Star Alliance carriers. Went ahead and rebooked the return leg, as well. Shame to see they can’t get reach some sort of understanding with the pilots’ union. Am going to have to plan on avoiding Lufthansa until such time as they have their pilots under contract–which is a pity for us, as they were by far my preferred carrier.
Needing to check constantly to ensure that business or vacation travel can and will ensue in a timely and comfortable manner is simply too much of a hassle.
Not many people are bigger LH ‘Homers’ than me, but I can’t disagree with you at all! I too have to hedge my flight ‘bets’ to make sure I can get to where I need and be there on time.
Funny how some things turn out all right – this is EXACTLY what the LH board needed after coming up with a fee for booking at sources other than LH’s own channels. Serves them bloody right.
Thanks for warning. Shifting bookings through EU to other airlines.