So the influential and brilliant unions of workers at Heathrow Airport are calling on their members to call a number of strikes throughout December to overturn management plans to cut their salaries. This is, of course, an economic masterstroke. The Airport and airlines have lost billions of pounds thanks to the pandemic, so it makes perfect sense to further limit their income; income that is desperately needed to pay the staff that they are trying to keep, rather than just sack them….a fate that has already befallen so many private sector workers. News came today of further Union genius. The Government is apparently considering putting a three year freeze on public sector workers pay. Said employees already enjoy rather better pay and conditions than their struggling private sector colleagues and their jobs are guaranteed, with handsome pensions for the most part. With the biggest hole in our national finances ever outside wartime, does the Government have any choice. We are all going to be hit incredibly hard but the people who should be hit hardest are unrealistic, self-interested and stupid Trades Union leaders.
Such thinking brings to mind a couple of moments in my long years of being flown around the world. Commentating on European golf tournaments we always used to rush to get home on a Sunday night. Ninety per cent of the time we made it, but every now and then things conspired against us. On one occasion coming back from somewhere in southern Spain, our Easyjet flight was cancelled (not an uncommon occurrence!). The only remaining flight home was with Ryanair. I rushed to their ticket sales to be informed that, yes they did have a few seats left. “I’ll take one please, how much”. (Expecting them to say £150 top whack).”That’ll be £350 please Sir”. Having recovered my equilibrium I wondered whether with only minutes to go before the gate closed it wouldn’t be better for them to fill the seats at a sensible price (low-cost airline?), because at that rate they could stuff it up their jumper. “I’m afraid it’s non-negotiable Sir, take it or leave it”. I left it, vowing never to fly on Ryanair again. I haven’t and further I take every opportunity to slag them off to anyone who cares to listen. I might even have gone up to £200, so for the sake of £150 they have lost my custom forever and potentially that of others who’ve been persuaded by my venom. Not great business I would have thought.
My ire has long since subsided on that one, but I still harbour unpleasant thoughts towards KLM. A few years ago I was working at The KLM Open (The Dutch Open) just outside Amsterdam. A week earlier my Best Man’s older brother, a man who I had known for fifty years and was extremely fond off, died horribly and unexpectedly. The close knit Norfolk family were distraught. There was no way I was going to miss his funeral on the Saturday of the KLM Open. I gained permission to fly home on the Friday night and as long as I was back for work on Sunday morning everyone was happy. It was going to be so easy. KLM operate a regular service from Amsterdam to Norwich Airport, which is practically on my friend’s farm. Every other KLM flight to regional UK airports was under £100. Amsterdam to Norwich is about a forty minute flight. The cost? SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS! I kid you not. I could’ve flown to New York or Johannesburg for the same money. On this occasion I had no choice. I paid the money with the avowed oath that I would never fly with KLM again, or any of their partners such as Air France. I have been true to my word, despite the fact that I could have used them often, being a regular voyager through Bristol Airport. They were sponsoring the tournament at which I was commentating. I pleaded with them, but no, that was the fare, take it or leave it. There are moments in life when I am genuinely lost for words. That was one such occasion. It was the circumstances that particularly rankled. I was emotionally vulnerable, it was a journey I had to make and because I had to be back for KLM’s own bloody tournament there were no realistic alternatives. KLM, I hate you.
I’m afraid I have been a grumpy old git all day today, I know not why, so I apologise for inflicting that lack of humour on you. I had meant to tell you all about a brilliant murmuration of starlings that I witnessed yesterday. It will enliven Monday’s blog…..I hope.
ADayInTheStrifeOf 