Going nowhere? That could be the story for British Airways cabin crew – and passengers – in March. After a High Court judge ruled their Christmas and New Year strike unlawful, British Airways cabin crew are taking the next stage in their dispute about new working conditions. Naturally, I asked British Airways and the cabin crew union Unite for interviews, either live or pre-recorded, but those invitations were declined. Daniel Barnett, the leading Employment Law Barrister, told us that, if the vote is in favour of strike action, it would need to start some time between 1 and 28 March. Several members of cabin crew got in touch to say that newly trained staff would not offer the same degree of experience as permanent crew.
Looking ahead, Stephen Bath of Bath Travel has devised the ultimate trip … starting in Luton. If you have the odd £8,999 to spare, then why not take a Gulfstream jet to New York, a helicopter to Manhattan, a stay in the Plaza, Independence Day fireworks, and the Queen Mary 2 home. See http://www.bathtravel.co.uk/holiday.php?holiday=3436 for this recession-buster.
If you’re keen to head for the other side of the world, and are keen to get the best deal, then this is the website you need:
David Whitley, who runs AustraliaFlightBargains.com, has set up a special page addressing the question: I'm going to Australia at Christmas - when's the best time to book a ticket, now or should I wait a while to get a bargain? David said you should consider something I’d not thought about – get a cheap deal to Singapore, and travel on from there on one of the growing budget flights to Australia. He’ll be back on the Travel Clinic, I hope.
Our destination of the week was Australia’s Great Ocean Road in southern Victoria: I talked to the man who's written the Complete Guide to what he claims is one of the world's great coastal drives: Richard Everist. His book is available here:
http://trailblazer-guides.com/book/australia-great-ocean-road
If you'll be staying in Britain next weekend, call in at Adventure Travel Live at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Victoria. I will be there, presenting the programme live, along with sixty other speakers including Ben Fogle and Alain De Botton. Here’s where you can find out more: http://adventuretravellive.co.uk/
Travel well.
Simon