Train Strike Question

Hello!

In a couple weeks we're flying out of Gatwick for our holiday, and it's one of the days that the Gatwick Express and other Southern services are on strike.  Some of the journeys on the trip planner have a little ! next to them that explain about strikes, and some are fine (mostly Thameslink ones that stop at Gatwick).  Does anyone know if the ones that are showing up as fine, are planned to go ahead as normal, and that the ones showing up with a note about the strike are the only ones affected by the strike?  Like, I would have thought most services were suspended, but it seems like they're planning on running a limited service, right?

There's a high likelihood that the strike will be averted at the last minute as sometimes happens.  Could you arrange a mini cab or Uber?

It's our last resort as it's so much more expensive than the train.  Also, we're in Canterbury, so to get from here to Gatwick there are several ways but the best bet is to get into London and go from there.  So my backup plan is to get to London and get a cab/uber/whatever from there to Gatwick if the train isn't running.

It's just strange because it seems like some of the trains will be running.  We're leaving on the first train from here to London and it seems like the one that connects from St Pancras to Gatwick will be okay. 

Averted?  Do they tend to resolve them just ahead of time?  I've never had to take Southern trains except to Gatwick before.

My in-laws live down that line. We run between heywards Heath and Victoria or London bridge all the time.

They do tend to avert full on strikes but the slowdowns are enormously frustrating.

Thameslink should be running, but of course it'll be more crowded than normal. Not sure what to tell you for assurance sake with your planning. That's sorta the thing with their labor dispute is seriously inconveniencing passengers so they'll take sides.


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I mean, I'm not disputing their right to strike!  I grew up going to strikes with my dad, who is in a good union back in the states, I get it.

We're just going to take the first train out of Canterbury that morning and get the Thameslink, I think...I always leave a ton of time so we'll more than likely be okay.  (Not sure how crowded it will be at 6am anyway..)

So, apparently the strike is called off for now.  I will keep an eye on it but I am pleasantly surprised.

Quite a lot of the strikes get called off.