Travellers face border queues and strike action (in France)

[Surya Gayatri]

Source: The Telegraph

Passengers heading to and from France this week face being caught by a French air traffic controllers' strike and potential delays caused by new Home Office checks.

Travellers are expected to face a double whammy of delays this week as the Government introduces a new type of passport checks and French air traffic controllers launch a series of strikes.

Up to half of the flights between France and Britain could be cancelled as the SNCTA, France’s largest air traffic controllers’ union, walks out on Wednesday and Thursday.


The port of Dover is facing potential delays for outbound travellers

It coincides with new Home Office measures coming into force from Wednesday morning which will require all passengers on ferries and Channel Tunnel services to have their passport details electronically recorded.

The French strikes will affect travellers returning to Britain from Easter holidays on the continent.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/aviation/11518981/Travellers-face-border-queues-and-strike-action.html

[sharp_stick]

1. It's not summer yet

they seem to have started Strike season a little early this year.

[Surya Gayatri]

3. Any time of the year will do, but spring and summer

are known as 'la saison chaude'.
(hot season)

[Surya Gayatri]

2. That's why I said earlier in another thread:

PARIS BOUND TOMORROW?...DON'T DO IT!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026468956

[herding cats]

4. I was supposed to be in Paris now.

Due to an accident which broke my ankle and two metatarsal bones, I was forced to cancel. I've been pretty bummed since it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. At first I thought this news might take some of the sting out of missing my trip. Upon further reflection it didn't. I'm still just as pouty as I was before reading it.

[Surya Gayatri]

5. So sorry to hear about your accident. That sounds pretty serious.

Not to worry, la Ville de Lumière will always be here to welcome you.

And to lighten your mood a little, enjoy this!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026439829

[herding cats]

6. Breathtaking photo!

Thanks for the link! I may not have Paris, but I can still read about it and dream.

The foot is on the mend. It's just one of those types of injuries which takes a bit of time to fully heal. It was just bad luck it happened when it did. Such is life.

[Surya Gayatri]

7. Isn't she lovely, just 126 years old...!

Here's more!

http://www.3dmekanlar.com/en/eiffel-tower.html


http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen/fullscreen32.html

http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=Paris-France

[Larry Engels]

8. They have always checked passports at Dover.

I wonder why the "new type" of check takes longer. All they have to do is swipe your passport through a reader. What else are they doing?

[Surya Gayatri]

9. Well, Larry, I live in France & not the UK, so I can't rightly say.

Haven't been 'outre manche' for a long spell.

[Larry Engels]

11. Merveilleux! nt

[Surya Gayatri]

14. La belle France, je la prefère à la Grande Bretagne.

[cosmicone]

10. I have been to Paris (and France) hundreds of times

Paris is my most favorite city in the world.

Nevertheless, about half the time I go there, someone is on strike and it becomes a pain.

Last time was in August when there was an Air France pilots' strike and if not for having La Première tickets, my wife and I would have been stuck.

They really need to get the strikes under control.

[Surya Gayatri]

12. Difficult call, they do have valid grievances.

I understand your frustration, but at least French people, in the majority, still believe in industrial action and the importance of labor unions.

[cosmicone]

16. I know, but some of the grievances are petty and not strike worthy

Many could have had a negotiated settlement.

[Surya Gayatri]

17. The 'climat social' in France is fraught. So many competing currents.

CGT (La Confédération générale du travail) - not good, IMHO.

[cosmicone]

18. Mais bien sûr mon ami(e) n/t

[Surya Gayatri]

19. Amie! n/t

[cosmicone]

20. Je pensais là, mais ne étais pas sûr

Je me souviens Surya Bonali.....

[Surya Gayatri]

21. Je me demandais toujours s'elle avait le nom à cause

du mantra.

[cosmicone]

22. Ses parents adoptifs étaient français.

Sa mère biologique est né à La Réunion. Je ne pense pas que son nom était à cause de la mantra - seulement le soleil.

[Larry Engels]

13. "They" need to get the strikes under control?

Who is "they"? The government? And what are "they" supposed to do to "control" this?

[cosmicone]

15. "Control" means having timely contract negotiations

and not letting things go far enough to need a strike.