French Strikes
Jun 10th, 2003, 07:39 AM
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French Strikes
Any indication as to how long these strikes in France are going to be? I had planned to fly into Geneva on the 20th June and train to Lyon. Should I think about cancelling at this point or will the strikes likely be over in a week's time?
Jun 10th, 2003, 08:12 AM
#2
keep track here.
www.lesgreves.com
www.lesgreves.com
(
Jun 10th, 2003, 08:39 AM
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Having returned from France just a few days ago, and having been there during various strikes over several weeks, I think I can honestly advise you that no one knows the answer to your question.
I personally would not cancel my trip, because "les greves" are likely to happen anytime you go -- hey, that's why they've got a WEBSITE (!) on the subject! Just be prepared for some creative transportation if necessary, or some flexibility in your schedule.
It seems that usually a greve doesn't mean no trains, it just means fewer trains. So they are more crowded, and you might not get the one you want. But even last Tuesday, the first day of the big strike, there were a few trains running. And we took the Metro on Wednesday with no problem at all, despite "la greve," albeit not during rush hour. At this point, I think it just comes with the territory of visiting France -- like having to drink bottled water in SE Asia.
I personally would not cancel my trip, because "les greves" are likely to happen anytime you go -- hey, that's why they've got a WEBSITE (!) on the subject! Just be prepared for some creative transportation if necessary, or some flexibility in your schedule.
It seems that usually a greve doesn't mean no trains, it just means fewer trains. So they are more crowded, and you might not get the one you want. But even last Tuesday, the first day of the big strike, there were a few trains running. And we took the Metro on Wednesday with no problem at all, despite "la greve," albeit not during rush hour. At this point, I think it just comes with the territory of visiting France -- like having to drink bottled water in SE Asia.
Jun 10th, 2003, 09:28 AM
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They usually don't announce long-term strikes in France -- I have never heard of that, in fact. So, while some strikes have lasted longer than others (the most notable being the museum workers of last year or before, I forget), they don't usually say AF workers are going on strike June 10th for one month straight. It's usually called for and decided on a more daily basis.
Today is a big strike day, and the one for AF is posted as being only for 24 hrs. That is very typical for AF. Now, they may do it again in 2 wks for another 24 hrs, but no one knows right now. I wouldn't cancel my flight in your case.
Today is a big strike day, and the one for AF is posted as being only for 24 hrs. That is very typical for AF. Now, they may do it again in 2 wks for another 24 hrs, but no one knows right now. I wouldn't cancel my flight in your case.
Jun 10th, 2003, 10:14 AM
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I just heard from a friend who left Milan by rail for Nice last Fri. (6th). At the French border they were all told to get off the train (but no one was told why they had to get off and the 1-day strike wasn't planned for another 3 days). Finally they found out the strike had started!
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Jun 10th, 2003, 11:18 AM
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Veronica, one thing I really noticed in France was that no one seemed to think there was any reason to provide information if you couldn't do anything about it. This really struck me in so many different areas.
We were at a convention, and when the program was changed, there was no announcement why or whether the events skipped over would be rescheduled later.
On our United flight back from Paris, the in-seat televised flight info kept showing that we would arrive over an hour early. No announcement to that effect whatsoever -- usually the airline is eager to brag about it! I finally asked a flight attendant because my husband was accusing me of getting our arrival time wrong.
We were at a convention, and when the program was changed, there was no announcement why or whether the events skipped over would be rescheduled later.
On our United flight back from Paris, the in-seat televised flight info kept showing that we would arrive over an hour early. No announcement to that effect whatsoever -- usually the airline is eager to brag about it! I finally asked a flight attendant because my husband was accusing me of getting our arrival time wrong.
Jun 10th, 2003, 11:23 AM
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Hi CHIBCHA: No, a bunch of them got a taxi down to Nice (which was nearly 100 euros each)! She's waiting it out there until the strike is over.
She has a europass which she's like to use (as it was so expensive)!
She has a europass which she's like to use (as it was so expensive)!
Jun 10th, 2003, 11:56 AM
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Last week we were flying from Nice to Heathrow . I looked out the window and realized we were over the Alps. I wondered why we were heading in the wrong direction. Seems that many of the French traffic controllers were on strike so we were not allowed over French air space. We ended up going around and coming over Belgium.
I have never been to France when there was not some strike going on. Luckily its never really interfered with our travels.
I have never been to France when there was not some strike going on. Luckily its never really interfered with our travels.
Jun 11th, 2003, 05:47 AM
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I was wondering if anyone who had flown into CDG recently had difficulty getting into town. I usually take the AF bus, but with the disruptions on the RER, I was thinking of hiring a car, as my family will be with me this time around. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Jun 11th, 2003, 06:16 AM
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Hi all
Here is a link to a story on MSNBC/Reuters regarding the strikes.
http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl...asp?reg=EUROPE
Here is a link to a story on MSNBC/Reuters regarding the strikes.
http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl...asp?reg=EUROPE
Jun 11th, 2003, 07:20 PM
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The strikes pretty much ruined our time in Paris. The city is in total mess because of the strikes. No one has any clue what is going on either.
We arrived into Paris on a Friday night. We thought we would be smart and purchase our tickets from Paris to the airport for the following Tuesday. The guy at the desk said he would not sell them because the strike would be going on. He said you will not be able to get to the airport on Tuesday.
I told him thanks and left. For the next two days we tried every way to figure out how to get to the airport on that Tuesday. We asked Taxi drivers and they said we probably wouldn't be able to get a cab to the airport because everyone would be wanting them. I stopped at the Air France ticket office and they told me that their bus would be running.
However, it leaves from the Arc de Triumph and that would have been too far of a walk at 4 or 5 A.M. I called a shuttle service (usually 14.50) and they said because of the strike it would be 60 euros per person. I told him no thanks.
Finally I booked the Ibis hotel at the airport and we took the train on Monday night (Free, covered in Rail Pass). So we left Paris basically a day early and stayed at the aiport to play it safe.
Then we find out that ATC would be striking too. 85% of the flights that day were canceled. My flight to Newark took off on time (Thank God!)
Ok. The traffic leaving the airport was a mess. I felt sorry for the people who were stuck there. No information was provided except a small screen that said "ATC strike, contact your airline" I saw on the news that there was a 150 KM back up of traffic trying to get into Paris.
I would not go to Paris until this gets resolved. I know the French strike all the time and plan your trip around their strikes.
We arrived into Paris on a Friday night. We thought we would be smart and purchase our tickets from Paris to the airport for the following Tuesday. The guy at the desk said he would not sell them because the strike would be going on. He said you will not be able to get to the airport on Tuesday.
I told him thanks and left. For the next two days we tried every way to figure out how to get to the airport on that Tuesday. We asked Taxi drivers and they said we probably wouldn't be able to get a cab to the airport because everyone would be wanting them. I stopped at the Air France ticket office and they told me that their bus would be running.
However, it leaves from the Arc de Triumph and that would have been too far of a walk at 4 or 5 A.M. I called a shuttle service (usually 14.50) and they said because of the strike it would be 60 euros per person. I told him no thanks.
Finally I booked the Ibis hotel at the airport and we took the train on Monday night (Free, covered in Rail Pass). So we left Paris basically a day early and stayed at the aiport to play it safe.
Then we find out that ATC would be striking too. 85% of the flights that day were canceled. My flight to Newark took off on time (Thank God!)
Ok. The traffic leaving the airport was a mess. I felt sorry for the people who were stuck there. No information was provided except a small screen that said "ATC strike, contact your airline" I saw on the news that there was a 150 KM back up of traffic trying to get into Paris.
I would not go to Paris until this gets resolved. I know the French strike all the time and plan your trip around their strikes.
Jun 12th, 2003, 06:34 PM
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Too bad about the strikes. I have been planning a trip to Paris for several months now and I am having second thoughts on weather to go or not. It would cost me $200 to change my ticket now, but that would be better than going thru some of the problems others have encountered on their trips. I cannot think of another to place to visit that I would enjoy as much.
Jun 13th, 2003, 05:09 AM
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Hopefully the news found here is correct and "les greves" are coming to an end.
http://www.expatica.com/france.asp?p...;item_id=31504
http://www.expatica.com/france.asp?p...;item_id=31504
Jun 13th, 2003, 05:40 AM
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I was just in France and italy and I have some info to share on this:
In france they only need to give 24hrs notice to strike - so www.lesgreves is pretty much useless - it just tells you what is striking right now. (by the way if you don't speak french go to google.com type in the web address - it will come up with a link next to it for a translation)
The french goverment is changing the retirment policy for public workers to add 5 more years of work to get retirment benefits.
Public Workers includes:
Train employees
Airport/AirFrance
Education
Transit
Garbage collection
Museum employees
Libraries
some other infastructure employees
This is not a case of "OH the french always have some kind of strike" The is very serious and the whole country is on and off.
We had a great time - and got lucky we missed all the strikes, except at the musee D'orsay
Chibcha - my advice to you would be to reserve a renta car and cancel it if your train is running(call autoeurope - all reservations are 100% refundable even after the day you are supposed to pick it up). You might not get into a museum and transit in lyon might be on/off but otherwise you would be alright. If you were going to Paris - I would say wait till Fall(or until this retirement stuff is figured out).
Good Luck
In france they only need to give 24hrs notice to strike - so www.lesgreves is pretty much useless - it just tells you what is striking right now. (by the way if you don't speak french go to google.com type in the web address - it will come up with a link next to it for a translation)
The french goverment is changing the retirment policy for public workers to add 5 more years of work to get retirment benefits.
Public Workers includes:
Train employees
Airport/AirFrance
Education
Transit
Garbage collection
Museum employees
Libraries
some other infastructure employees
This is not a case of "OH the french always have some kind of strike" The is very serious and the whole country is on and off.
We had a great time - and got lucky we missed all the strikes, except at the musee D'orsay
Chibcha - my advice to you would be to reserve a renta car and cancel it if your train is running(call autoeurope - all reservations are 100% refundable even after the day you are supposed to pick it up). You might not get into a museum and transit in lyon might be on/off but otherwise you would be alright. If you were going to Paris - I would say wait till Fall(or until this retirement stuff is figured out).
Good Luck
Jun 13th, 2003, 06:28 AM
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I wouldn't let the strikes stop me from going, but I would definitely have a Plan B for each day's itinerary. I also missed Musee D Orsay due to the strike, when I was there in May.
We witnessed huge protests, all peaceful and an interesting experience in itself. I was under the impression that the issue was resolved and the worst was over.
We witnessed huge protests, all peaceful and an interesting experience in itself. I was under the impression that the issue was resolved and the worst was over.
Jun 13th, 2003, 09:44 AM
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LoisL, I had an email this morning from a friend in Paris who said the strikes were "less frequent now." It seems like it's settling down, but I think your advice of an alternate plan on days when you plan to visit museums, for example, is excellent.
