Stick with a staycation to save the pain
AS we get deeper into summer, there are going to be a lot of very disappointed families as flights are cancelled at a moments notice.
The blame for this misery should be firmly placed on the shoulders of management where staff shortages are concerned, and to a certain extent where relations with unions have broken down over pay, terms and conditions.
It is now very obvious that the travel industry as a whole cut back much too sharply on staff in the early days of Covid.
They are now paying the price in terms of lost turnover and business goodwill.
However, what is inexcusable is airports and airlines cancelling flights without notice, bringing utter chaos, shattering travel plans, some made many months before.
Surely management can see that they have insufficient staff to handle booked traffic at least a week away?
Yes, Covid is on the rise, but if we are going to have to live with this virus then it essential that businesses have a reserve built in to systems to recognise this fact.
Industrial relations are not very good at the moment and strikes in the travel industry do not help anyone.
However, notice has to be given before a walkout and plans can be made accordingly.
Long gone are the days of wild-cat strikes, so if management and unions cannot agree a deal, flights have to be cancelled and the normal timetable suspended until a clear picture emerges.
A much greater degree of consideration must be given to the travelling public.
Whilst I would much rather see money being spent on holidays within the UK, here again there are major problems.
There is a chronic shortage of staff due to the lack of European workers and a seeming reluctance of students to seek holiday jobs.
Hotels, restaurants and holiday attractions are finding it extremely difficult to recruit and retain staff, so the degree of service may not be up to expectations.
All in all, not a good year for the tourist industry as a whole, and perhaps a holiday at home would be better... certainly cheaper.