[Anonymous]

[Charles-P]

I spoke to the UK Border Service office this morning as I’m coming through Heathrow on Wednesday.

The person I spoke to was confident there would be minimal delays as most staff are expected to turn up as usual plus a number of managers have been trained to fill the gaps. He said they expect less than 20% of staff to strike.

[Binman62]

I work closely with elements of the public sector and can tell you that I am seeing 80% plus staff on strike in all areas of public service for Wednesday. 20% at UKBA sounds hopelessly optimistic and in contrast to the mood music of 12 hour delays (Exaggerated) and the offer by BA and VS to change flights without penalty. EY have now also cancelled several services to LHR that day. My own experience of UKBA last Sunday in T3 suggest a demoralised and bitter workforce up for a fight…be it government or lippy passenger.

[Charles-P]

Binman62 – I am sure you are right with some parts of the public sector. Teachers for example are supporting it in that percentage however I was relaying what I was told. I do remember the last Border Agency strike was poorly supported as well with no real disruption.

[RichHI1]

Canot believe a local MP asked for LHR to be closed on safety grounds ! I guess it shows you don’t need brains to be an MP (again).

[VintageKrug]

Crucial word missed out:

LABOUR MP called for LHR to be closed during strike

http://www.newssniffer.co.uk/articles/462570/diff/1/2

[RichHI1]

I am afraid I have been on this earth too long to believe that common sense is aligned to or away from any political viewpoint. The key word is politician, left right centre or flip flop.

[Binman62]

RichHI1…..as demonstrated by the inept response of the home office and public statements that controls will not be relaxed….

[Charles-P]

Current status at Heathrow – EU passengers 10 minute delays, non EU about 20 minutes. Approx 50% of Border Control staff working, managers making up difference.

Eurostar – no problems or delays.

Dover Ferry port – no problems or delays

[Potakas]

It appears to be a better day than the average ones at JFK.

[VintageKrug]

BBC reporting the border experience is “smoother than usual”.

[RichHI1]

Flew into T3 last night. We were originally told problems would start at 9pm. Arrived 10.40pm. Signs out for morning separating Eea and row. Otherwise normal service. 1 iris working e-pass switched off, no long lines.

[BeckyBoop]

ES says things are running as normal at london airports …yay!!! 🙂
xx

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24015892-normal-service-at-london-airports-desite-union-promise-of-total-shutdown.do

[RichHI1]

I am confused again by the British media. I flew in late 29th and had excellent IRIS and customs service and from what I read here the experience on 30th was very good. In major part down to UKBA measures, in part due to carriers like AA cutting some flights and in part by pax switching dates. So I am thinking “good job BAA and UKBA”. Then I read that Cameron says strike was “damp squib” so am I wrong to congratulate UKBA and BAA? As I struggle to align these positions we have business leaders saying that big losses to industry and government ministers saying it has caused unemployment. So my experience shows airport did professional job, Cameron says nothing happened and business says major damage for which they want compensation… Where does the truth lie?

[Binman62]

Bottom line load factors down by at least 30% and a number of cancellations from AA and Etihad. Staffing border points with the prime ministers press office staff will have helped but one must wonder how many people got in who perhaps should not.

The contingency plans of the airlines and BAA in my view won the day.

UK PLC probably benefited overall as most strikers, and those forced to take time off to look after kids seem to have gone shopping!.

It is more than a bit rich for this government to claim a single days strike will ruin the country when they themselves gave everyone a day off for very privileged young couples wedding early this year. Did that not do similar damage?

[Author]

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