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AMERICAN AIRLINES WOULD REPLACE STRIKING ATTENDANTS WITH MANAGEMENT
(source: USA TODAY)
American Airlines is looking for management employees to volunteer as flight attendants in case the regular attendants go on strike.
The airline sent an e-mail Tuesday to managers and appealed for their help.
The e-mail said volunteers might work more than six straight days, and they "may encounter challenging interactions with other crewmembers."
Contract talks between American and the flight attendants' union broke off Friday with no new sessions scheduled and with the parties far apart on pay and other issues.
The union has asked federal mediators for permission to strike after a 30-day cooling-off period, but officials haven't yet granted the request. Flight attendants voted to support a call for a strike.
American spokeswoman Missy Latham said the company still believes it can negotiate a contract with the union but has a backup plan to keep flying if flight attendants walk off the job.
"Though we hope and expect that we will not have to implement our contingency operation, this sort of planning is the smart and responsible thing to do at this phase of the process," she said.
Union President Laura Glading said flight attendants "will do whatever is necessary to achieve the contract they deserve."
Glading said there was "some progress" in contract talks last week but the union still thinks negotiations have hit an impasse.
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SURVEY: MOST COMPANIES REJECT IN-FLIGHT WI-FI REIMBURSEMENT
(source: Business Travel News)
Despite the rapid proliferation of wireless Internet access on domestic aircraft, most companies do not reimburse travelers who elect to log on in the air, according to a recent Business Travel News survey.
Of the 230 respondents who guide corporate travel policy within their organizations, only 34 percent said it's OK for travelers to unsheathe their corporate cards to access Wi-Fi on all flights, though an additional 7 percent said they would reimburse wireless Internet access costs, but only for intercontinental or long-haul flights. The remaining 59 percent majority said travelers are on their own when it comes to paying onboard Wi-Fi expenses, regardless of the length of haul.
Nearly all major U.S. carriers have at least started outfitting some or all of their domestic fleets with Wi-Fi access. Aircell has been the industry leader in supplying commercial airlines with wireless Internet capabilities and to date the in-flight connectivity provider has installed Wi-Fi on more than 900 commercial airplanes. "Installations continue to occur almost on a daily basis," a spokesperson said.
Using Aircell's GoGo service, Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines are in the midst of a domestic fleetwide rollout, while AirTran Airways and Virgin America already have brought Wi-Fi onboard their entire fleets. Continental Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Air Canada have opted for Wi-Fi on select aircraft with Aircell.
Southwest Airlines said it would roll out competitor Row 44's service across its entire fleet this year, while JetBlue Airways has experimented with some limited connectivity options such as texting and e-mail on some flights through its LiveTV subsidiary.
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BRITISH AIRWAYS PONDERS LEGAL ACTION; BA STRIKE UPDATE
(source: CNN.com)
British Airways has hinted at possible legal action over the strike by cabin crew, saying Wednesday it had written to remind their union to "retain all relevant paperwork."
"This is standard legal procedure for all pending court cases," a BA spokesman said in a statement.
The current strike is due to end Friday, but the Unite union plans two more walkouts in the next few weeks.
BA said the letter to Unite does not mean it is appealing the decision by a London court this month, which overturned an injunction to stop the strikes. In seeking the injunction, BA had claimed of irregularities in the way Unite polled its members.
"The union would have been fully aware that the point of law over the communication of the strike ballot result would come to a full court case in due course," said the BA spokesman, who asked not to be named in line with policy.
The union was not immediately available for comment.
British Airways said Tuesday it was managing to fly despite the strike.
More than 70 percent of its passengers were able to take their flights Monday, BA said.
Figures were not yet available for Tuesday. Unite, which represents most of British Airways' 15,000 cabin crew, said Tuesday the strike was "holding well."
The dispute is over pay and working conditions for cabin crew members, including BA's plans to reduce the number of cabin crew on some flights. BA says it is a cost-saving measure, but the union says it will help to damage the BA brand.
For the latest information about British Airways cabin crew strike, please visit:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/strike-ballot/public/en_gb
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
ADOLPHUS
1321 Commerce Street
Dallas
Rediscover the grandeur of the past, where Lone-Star legend meets 4-Diamond luxury, at the Adolphus hotel. As the cherished standard for luxury accommodations since Missouri beer baron Adolphus Busch opened its doors in 1912, this baroque masterpiece stands today as the Grande Dame of downtown Dallas hotels. Conveniently located in downtown Dallas, Texas, in the heart of the government and financial district, The Adolphus offers guests spacious floor plans, complimentary Wi-Fi in all areas of the hotel, complimentary fitness and town car service. The Adolphus offers an exceptional selection of downtown Dallas restaurants during guests' stay; from 24-hour Guest Room Dining to the sawdust floors of the Walt Garrison Rodeo Bar and Grill to the critically acclaimed French Room (AAA Five Diamond Award for 21 Consecutive Years). Impeccable service and architectural splendor set every stay at the Adolphus as truly exceptional. Here, nothing is overlooked in making each guest feel welcome and at home.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Adolphus is $149 (compared to a corporate rate of $185).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
JUMEIRAH ESSEX HOUSE
160 Central Park South
New York City
Celebrating over 75 years of luxury on Central Park South, Jumeirah Essex House embodies the elegance and glamour of a bygone era while remaining at the forefront of New York style. This Manhattan landmark has recently completed a $90 million renovation which pays homage to its Art Deco heritage while updating the guestrooms and lobby to the highest standards of sophistication and luxury. The hotel is located in the heart of Manhattan, between the beauty of Central Park and the bustle of midtown, within walking distance of the finest shops and restaurants New York has to offer.
Jumeirah Essex House features 509 elegant and well-appointed rooms and suites with sweeping views of Central Park and Manhattan. Each of the guestrooms is designed to be an extension of any business office, using the latest technology including an LCD touchpad to control all lighting, and wireless and hard-wire high-speed internet access. Jumeirah Essex House makes it effortless for guests to use both the in-room technology and their own devices seamlessly.
Jumeirah Essex House provides an unparalleled level of comfort that has long been the choice for business and world leaders alike. The hotel has received numerous international travel and tourism awards, most recently winning the titles of "North America's Leading Business Hotel" and "United States' Leading Business Hotel" at the prestigious 2009 World Travel Awards, and being honored with the title of "Best Hotel in the Eastern United States" by the Global Traveler Tested Reader Survey 2009.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Jumeirah Essex House is $409 (compared to a corporate rate of $499) through June 27, 2010.*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, HONG KONG
5 Connaught Road; Central
Hong Kong
Delightful Summer at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong's "Delightful Summer" offer is the perfect reason to visit Hong Kong for an indulgent getaway in the city's iconic harbor-front hotel.
With luxurious, spacious rooms and an array of delightful options to suit travelers' personal style, this offer makes a summer break in Hong Kong even more tempting.
Book this Delightful Summer offer for at least two consecutive nights and enjoy:
- A spa upgrade voucher per person worth HKD 450 to use at their award-winning Mandarin Spa during the stay.
- A choice of one additional benefit: A complimentary room upgrade OR A sumptuous breakfast for two in the Clipper Lounge.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is HKD 3500.*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
PARK HYATT WASHINGTON
1201 24th Street NW
Washington, DC
Park Hyatt Washington combines dynamic modernism with classic American style. Ideally situated in the fashionable West End Georgetown neighborhood, steps from historic sites and a short ride to the U.S. Capitol, the hotel is a preferred choice among world travelers and the city's elite.
The hotel's 216 guest rooms and suites include walnut flooring, contemporary lighting, plush sitting area with a designated workspace, comfortable swivel chairs and a large flat-screen television. The signature Premier Park Deluxe rooms, the largest in the city at 618 sq. ft, feature a lavish, spa-inspired limestone bathroom with a soothing rain shower and deep soaking bathtub. After a day of traveling or meetings, relax and unwind in the hotel's new, intimate Spa Room offering a full range of massage, facial, waxing and manicure services. The Spa Room is located in the hotel's adjacent guest house.
An award-winning restaurant, the Blue Duck Tavern, invites guests to gather and celebrate in good taste by offering menu selections focusing on the freshest ingredients available from regional purveyors. The restaurant is open daily for a power breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The hotel's Lounge offers guests an oasis in the nation's capital with comfortable seating and "Capitol Hill" glass-enclosed booths. A light fare menu, tempting cocktails and an extensive wine list complement a nightly cheese presentation showcasing artisanal cheeses by the ounce. Unique to the hotel is an intimate Tea Cellar, featuring more than 50 rare and limited production single-estate teas.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Park Hyatt Washington is $335 (compared to a corporate rate of $425) through June 30, 2010.*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
W SAN FRANCISCO
181 3rd Street
San Francisco
Making "Green" History, W San Francisco Becomes First Hotel Belonging to Major Brand to Earn Silver LEED Certification for an Existing Building
W San Francisco is a leader in the area of sustainability and green practices for W Hotels Worldwide. Green has become part of modern living and is expected by guests, who can feel the team's true passion for green practices, which are infused in everything the hotel does, everyday.
With its Silver LEED certification, W San Francisco becomes only the seventh hotel in the United States to receive the recognition for an existing building. Stringent criteria for an existing building certification measure "operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts," according to the U.S. Green Building Council, which administers LEED.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the W San Francisco is $259 (compared to a corporate rate of $359).*
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* All rates are subject to availability.
______________________________________________________________
The Lawyers' Travel Service
www.lawyerstravel.com
info@lawyerstravel.com
800.431.1112 |
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