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Air Transat Faces Flight Suspensions Amid Pilot Strike Notice

  Air Transat has announced it will gradually suspend flights starting Monday following a 72-hour strike notice issued by its pilots’ union. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing roughly 700 pilots, delivered the notice after nearly a year of unsuccessful negotiations with the airline’s parent company, Transat A.T. Inc. Background The union filed the strike notice on Sunday, giving pilots the legal right to walk off the job as early as Wednesday. Last week, pilots voted 99% in favor of strike action , underscoring their frustration over stalled contract talks. ALPA leaders emphasized that pilots do not want to strike but feel compelled to act after management failed to meet demands for a modernized agreement. Airline Response Air Transat confirmed it will begin suspending flights gradually between December 8 and 9 to prepare for a possible full shutdown. The company stated it is working “around the clock” to reach a deal and minimize disruption for trave...
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Tips for Getting Your Luggage First at Baggage Claim

 

While waiting for your checked luggage at the airport can feel like an eternity, there are a few tricks you can try to improve your chances of having your bag pop out early. Although there’s no guaranteed method, these strategies might give you an advantage:

  1. Travel Business or First Class: Passengers who fly in business or first class often receive better service, including the perk of their luggage being among the first to arrive at baggage claim. If you have the opportunity to upgrade, consider it for a smoother baggage experience.

  2. Frequent Flyer Status: Airlines offer priority baggage services to frequent flyers with elite status tiers. If you fall into this category, make sure the agent affixes a priority tag to your bag during check-in. While these bags are technically supposed to be offloaded before others, it’s not always guaranteed.

  3. Gate Check Your Bag: Arrive at the gate early and ask to gate check your bag. This means you’ll bring your suitcase through security and it will be loaded last onto the plane. Sometimes, this results in your bag being among the first to appear at baggage claim.

  4. Last One In, First One Out: If you’re checking your bag, consider doing so as late as possible. Bags loaded into the cargo hold last are often the first to be unloaded. However, keep in mind that the loading order isn’t always predictable.

  5. Get a “Fragile” Sticker: When checking in, request a “fragile” sticker for your bag. Representatives at the counter can affix this sticker, which might prioritize your luggage for early retrieval.

Remember, even if you follow these tips, there are no guarantees. However, you can also use technology to keep track of your bag’s whereabouts. Attach trackers like Apple AirTags or Tiles to your luggage, or check if the airline uses RFID tracking to monitor your bag’s journey from the cargo hold to the baggage claim.

Lastly, make sure to remove old bag tags from your suitcase before checking it in, but leave your personal tag with contact information and address. Safe travels!

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