V-Flyer

Today, for many on this planet, is a holiday - Christmas.

Sure, there are those who are not Christian, and see this day as just another day (and I am among them), but many see this as one of their holidays, and still have to work and/or be away from their families. Many travel this time of year just to be home for the holiday.

But how many say thank you to those who got them to their destination?

So, I send my thanks to all the crews taking care of fliers today, and the controllers keeping the planes going. Thanks also to the ramp staff keeping things going as smoothly as possible, and to the maintenance workers fixing problems so a flight can take off. Thank you, Catering, for else we would go hungry and thirsty.

Thanks to the cleaning crews who clean up after each flight in the cycle, and to the oft-maligned security making it a little safer in the air. Thanks to the air marshals, the parking staff, the skycaps, and the clerks staffing the shops airside so we can eat/drink/be a little merrier when we board. And safer once we do.

Thanks to the check-in staff who are probably tired of the holiday masses; until they get done, we don't go anywhere. And thanks to the CH staff, who keep us fed, watered, taken care of, and otherwise give us a place to rest in the midst of the holiday madness.

Oh - I did leave one more out totally by accident[:I] which I'd like to make special mention of, so I'm revising here: Baggage personnel! Thank you to each and every one of you, for making sure as many bags as possible end up where they're supposed to be, with their presents inside. Undamaged, of course, which meant many happy faces under trees today! I know many of us revile you on regular occasions, but we really are happy you are there.

And I know I have left out quite a few jobs/people; if I listed all the personnel who keep us in the air all year, this post would be endless. Please forgive me. But know that you are all thanked, at this time of thanksgiving. Even if we aren't going home for a holiday today.

Thank you for working so we may fly.
[:X][^]

What a lovely message to read. If only all people who travelled over Christmas day were like you[:X]

I must say I have a bit of a guilty feeling about our two CDC drivers that are picking us up at 5:30am tomorrow morning.

My guess would be they'll be in the car from 3am to get to us... [:0][:I]


Thanks in advance - and to all the crew & ground staff working over the holidays [y]

Have only ever flown on Boxing Day not Christmas itself - but would still like to join in with this thank-you to all those who make it possible for idiots like us to travel around the globe during this time;)

VS.

Actually - there is one point that's been missed here. Do that many flights actually run on Christmas day?

I know there's no VS19, or VS45 - so I presume no flights at all ex-LHR on the 25th? BA seem to be the same...



Anyone got the definitive answer?

Heathrow Flights

VS 5 LHR-MIA
VS 7 LHR-LAX
VS 9 LHR-JFK
VS17 LHR-EWR
VS25 LHR-JFK
VS200 LHR-HKG/SYD
VS300 LHR-DEL
VS350 LHR-BOM
VS400 LHR-DXB
VS601 LHR-JNB
VS603 LHR-CPT
VS651 LHR-LOS

Gatwick Flights

VS15 LGW-MCO
VS27 LGW-MCO
VS29 LGW-BGI
VS43 LGW-LAS
VS61 LGW-NAS
VS65 LGW-MBJ

Manchester Flights

VS75 MAN-MCO

I think that's it!!! So quite a few flights on Christmas Day

And then you have all the flights which land back into the UK on Christmas Day......[:w]

I know BMI dont work Christmas Day.

Regards

To that, I'd like to add my thanks to the souls who frequent this forum. Unfailingly knowledgable, tolerant and, above all, patient (there are times I feel such a luddite).

Ta all you guys and guyettes, it's a minefield of useful info here...


[:X][y]

Although not great for those working, it must be good money for VS if the other majors aren't operating either at all or at full level.

VS.

I'll be airborne again on new years eve back to PVG.

If I manage to miles upgrade our tickets at a reasonable cost to UC, I'll toast any staff member at the bar (and anyone else) unfortunate enough to be working on what is also a big holiday in my book.

If I'm stuck down the back... well, I toast you anyway for getting me to where I want to be, at a time i need to travel![y]

I presume it's double bubble on xmas day. Personally I would accept time an a half not to have to watch Only Fools and Horses(yet again) with the outlaws.

Yep - a big well done to all those who are working on Christmas Day and/or Boxing Day and as Sailor rightly points out Im sure they aint on single time!! I used to work every Christmas Day from about 1978 until 1987 as the catering trade - particularly in hospitals doesn't stop for Christmas either - and out in the hotels you are dealing with a right cross section of the human race on a Christams Day!!!

Oh my, how I miss it!!! [:w]

Originally posted by sailor99
I presume it's double bubble on xmas day. Personally I would accept time an a half not to have to watch Only Fools and Horses(yet again) with the outlaws.

Sadly no double time/time and a half for the crew[:(]

Standby over Christmas - lovely. [:(]

Originally posted by Tinkerbelle


Sadly no double time/time and a half for the crew[:(]

Wow! Must admit to being surprised. Presumably at least time in lieu?

Again sadly not! When you become crew, you have to expect to work all the unsocial hours that come your way and working Christmas is just another day sometimes.

Even in the Contact Centre, they are open on Christmas day (albeit reduced hours) but only in the UK office.

I'd like to add my thanks for the staff in the Virgin Heathrow Revivals Lounge who were working on Christmas Day. You were a really welcome sight for a tired traveller who'd been struggling to get home from Denver for four days and finally made it in the early hours of Christmas morning!

Thanks
Chris