An earlier post got me thinking that I should probably use the link so helpfully provided in the responses to look up whether my late October trip to Italy might be affected by any strike action. I saw that there will be a general strike of public and private sector employees for the full day on October 30th but that it will exclude air transport, railway, local public transport and maritime sectors.
I will actually be departing Italy on the 30th, from either Rome or Venice (yet to be confirmed) and will be spending the night before departure in whichever city I am leaving from, so all I will need to do on the 30th will be to get myself to the airport (and maybe grab a bite to eat on the way).
What should I expect that day? Will I run into large demonstrations that might affect travel to the airport? I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that public transport will run to the airports, but will taxis (or the like, in Venice) be available, if necessary? Will bars/restaurants be open? Are hotels affected? Lastly, for those in the know, if you had to choose to be departing from either Rome or Venice during a general strike, which way would you go?
I was actually in Venice in March, 2003, during the massive peace marches that took place across the country and I recall many, many people demonstrating on the Accademia Bridge with riot police everywhere (I still have my rainbow coloured Pace lanyard that I somehow acquired that day!). It was a very interesting experience but not necessarily one I would wish for while trying to get to the airport.
Thanks very much in advance for any advice and information!