one would think they would announce tour dates for 2009 before the holidays in order to take advantage of the holiday shopping season; but who knows?
Hate to say this, but, one would think they would have a better organized 'marketing' campaign, have CD Merch available for 'black friday', etc. Conventional thinking does not apply to GnR...they will announce tour dates when they are good and ready...I think it was Axl that warned us 'not to hold our breath' (concerning a recently released album).
Trust that it will happen...and it 'probably' will, someday.