Feels Weird....

[irishbunny]

Not seeing airplanes in the sky. Usually on a lovely, clear day like today you can see airplanes flying overhead all the time and hear them. All flights were closed in Ireland and I think in other parts of Europe due to volcanic ash in the atmosphere from a volcano that is erupting in Iceland. Some airlines are flying again but since the volcano hasn't even erupted properly yet, it may still cause some complications. Tons of people I know are stranded in other countries, since you can't get onto Ireland unless you go by plane or boat. A couple people have picked their way back by driving through Europe, Euro Star train to UK and then a ferry to Ireland. Poor things, costs a ton and takes quite a few days in some cases.

 

[Brandy456]

A lot of flights here in Canada have even been canceled, too

 

[slavetoabunny]

My housekeeper called me this morning to tell me she was stuck in Russia. I feel so sorry for her; she went over because her mother was dying (she passed) and now this trying to get home.

 

[irishbunny]

I was just watching the news there and it showed some Irish stuck at an airport sleeping on cots donated by the red cross, poor things, I'd say most of them are skint.

 

[Nela]

I feel bad for the people stuck. It hasn't affected me as badly, but my boyfriend was supposed to come but couldn't come Friday as planned. We were supposed to go out Sunday but Sunday morning was the first available flight. Problem is, instead of being the usual 650 euros it was 2700 euros :shock:So he will catch an indirectflight through Paris next week I hope the volcano will have calmed by then because I don't want him flying with any increased risk of something happening :expressionlessBleh what a messthough. I am annoyed with those people complaining and wanting to sue airlines and all that. I mean come on... :grumpy

 

[slavetoabunny]

Nela wrote:

We were supposed to go out Sunday but Sunday morning was the first available flight. Problem is, instead of being the usual 650 euros it was 2700 euros :shock:

Aren't the airlines rescheduling flights and honoring the original fare?

 

[Nela]

For the people that had already purchased tickets, yes. However, the ticket pricein the following days went up like crazy :shock:Basically, he wanted to come this Friday and was going to purchase one but there were no flights available and then the ones that were available over the next days were waaaay too expensive. :grumpy

 

[slavetoabunny]

Nela wrote:

For the people that had already purchased tickets, yes. However, the ticket pricein the following days went up like crazy :shock:Basically, he wanted to come this Friday and was going to purchase one but there were no flights available and then the ones that were available over the next days were waaaay too expensive. :grumpy

That really stinks! Sounds like price-gouging to me.

 

[irishlops]

Some flights are now open it seems in and out of the UK/Ireland.
I was nice in a way about no planes in the air, but not for the people stranded anyway.

 

[hln917]

Nela wrote:

I am annoyed with those people complaining and wanting to sue airlines and all that. I mean come on... :grumpy

Thank you! :biggrin2:

I think the last time it was quiet here in the states was during 9/11.

 

[Nela]

Mmm I mean I definitely understand the frustrations but people must understand that the airlines aren't any happier and this only happens in major major situations. What would happen if they caved in to peer pressure, sent a plane off filled to capacity and then something happened? Ugh :grumpyIt sucks, yes, it sucks but there are worse things in life :expressionless

Of course the airlines hiked up the prices for the tickets available in the immediate days... There is a high demand, they've just lost I don't know how many million... Okay I guess I can see how that goes.

At least the peoplethat were strandedknow that they are going to be the first on the planes and have their tickets respected. They've had enough extra expenses to deal with already.

 

[slavetoabunny]

The Disney parks in Orlando gave free tickets to stranded families. I thought that was very nice of them.

 

[irishbunny]

Yup planes are starting up again My neighbours are supposed to be going to Monnaco today so hopefully they got to

 

[Nela]

Aww nice that Disney did that. I hadn't heard

 

[SilverBirchRabbitry]

God so help me.
I better get to go on my trip at the end of June
I think the ash would have died down by then, but you never know

 

[BethM]

Nela wrote:

Mmm I mean I definitely understand the frustrations but people must understand that the airlines aren't any happier and this only happens in major major situations. What would happen if they caved in to peer pressure, sent a plane off filled to capacity and then something happened? Ugh :grumpyIt sucks, yes, it sucks but there are worse things in life :expressionless

I know the ash is dying down now (or has died down? haven't seen the news in a couple days. I was annoyed when I heard that some of the airlines wanted to sue over lost revenue.
I'm so confused, who were they going to sue???? The volcano?????!