Help, volcano, stuck in Europe

This thread has been 'dormant' for a few hours. Breaking news on the BBC "A new ash cloud spreading towards the UK is causing uncertainty over the reopening of some airspace"

This could go on for years couldn't it?

Literally yes.

But if it does they will work out whatever they need to do to get the planes flying anyway, because if this isn't sorted soon, airlines will be going bankrupt

No they won't. Tax will just be increased and a bailout package created for the airlines.

Ah shit not another airline discussion with John H.. deletes post ;)

Jet engines? Pffff!

they will work out whatever they need to do to get the planes flying anyway

Slow and low is the only way, which will be hugely expensive and may eliminate some long haul destinations if current airliners have to fly the first 1000nm or so below 8000', thanks to the big increase in fuel consumption. There is also noise pollution to consider, not to mention a huge issue with control when you effectively have only 1 flight level.

The passenger transport issue is trivial, as most of it is entirely discretionary and most of the rest could be eliminated by adjusting work practices, but there will be some serious head scratching going on in the supply chain management business. Nobody was using air freight just for the hell of it, so there will be an inflationary effect at least in the short term as people adjust to life without 48h global fulfilment.

I'm sure Hippy is right that EU governments will panic and bail out their airlines, because politicians can't resist stealing our money and giving it to their friends in big business.

Jet engines? Pffff!

gas turbines will still be fine as long as you fly low

It's time they gave us those jet packs they hide form us.

I've been stuck in Chennai India for two days now. Its a bit rubbish but there is nothing we can do, but wait for a plain to take us to Spain or anywhere in Europe. We cant go overland as we have no visa. And even if we could we would have to go through Pakistan. I suppose it beats going to work.

Begin driving to Calais from Budapest at 10, in a minibus with my hyper 9 month old baby boy.

No they won't. Tax will just be increased and a bailout package created for the airlines.

Ah shit not another airline discussion with John H.. deletes post ;)

Well yes, quite possibly, though at the moment that would be against EU law. Don't forget they let Sabena and Swissair go under in 2001/2002...

Latest Nhatts statement confirms this ^

Ehh? If I realized that my bollox talking was going to be taken as a sign that the volcano would stop erruptting, I wouldn't have wasted my words on PJ.

;-)

Can't you just cast a spell?

Southern airports reopening tomorrow evening apparently...

Where is that from Joe? No such word on nats.co.uk ?

Just overheard some loud sales cunt spout it in the office...

Right, brilliant. I'll tell Tori to get her bags packed then.

I heart you, Joe.

Seems to me that we should pay attention when louds sales people in Joe's office speak up.

quite intriguing all this.

says something about how people are so habituated to going somewhere, and at the same time- being back exactly when they wanted. It makes me wonder about what people want from the whole going away/ holiday thing, reading some of the reports from those 'stranded' it seems that even more in 2010 a moment longer out of 'normality' is unnacceptable, only saying as I used to dig on travel-sociology history a la stuff like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Urry_(sociologist)

in 2001, the last fuel strike, the nation was grinding to halt including the possibility of diesel trains.This would have included to Pembrokeshire where I was camped at Newgale beach, listening to f.m radio there in the dunes, was rubbing my hands at the thought of an extended stay, would have loved it.

what do the travellers here presently abroad want to say about it?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/iceland/7607751/The-Iceland-volcano-is-natures-way-of-proving-me-right-about-abroad.html

I'm getting antsy about flight to Amsterdam in May. I mean, it's not as if I can get off my shed anywhere else, is it?

I find it quite interesting really. Naturally I can understand some concerns that I consider genuine, such as Digby upthread who has a siginifcant responsibility to other people and a strong economic impact to consider. Also those with important plans and commitments to meet as well.

However, If I, like my colleagues parents, were stranded somewhere abroad like Turkey, I would relish the forthcoming adventure of getting home by some unknown means. I've heard some interesting and contrasting tales around this. On one hand there was a group of people who forked out a large sum to get from Austria (IIRC) to get to Paris, something in the order of a thousand Euros and slept in the car. Another small group travelling from the Czech republic talked a cousin of a friend of the hotel manager where they had been staying to drive them to Paris for petrol, food, motel, beer and a hundred Euros. The driver was then going to visit a cousin living in Paris and look to drive some people back. I think they managed to do it for less than half the price.

I'm getting antsy about flight to Amsterdam in May. I mean, it's not as if I can get off my shed anywhere else, is it?

If it's cancelled, train to Harwich, ferry to Hook and a nice day's ride through the Flatlands to Amsterdam. That is a trip full of Win.

Ahhh I'm getting really worried that I'll be stuck in Bahrain, and that ain't cool! Have been here for 4 months, counting down the days till I leave (down to 7 now) and now this bloody volcano won't stop blowing its top. FFS i haven't seen my girlfriend since Christmas, this is deadly serious.

Ahhh I'm getting really worried that I'll be stuck in Bahrain, and that ain't cool! Have been here for 4 months, counting down the days till I leave (down to 7 now) and now this bloody volcano won't stop blowing its top. FFS i haven't seen my girlfriend since Christmas, this is deadly serious.

Buy a fleshlight, you'll be fine......

^that sucks.

I mean, apart from it being a media frenzy, how much of this is a real problem? is it really really cause for concern? or is it like the h1n1? what are they trying to sell us? ; )

I'd advise you to contact your airline and see about a rebooking to a destination less likely to be disrupted, like Spain and look at options from there. In seven days time there will still likely be disruption dealing with the backlog and your carrier might welcome the extra potential space you're offering them. It may mean a longer journey, but will offer some reliability in actually moving.

A friend of mine is stuck in Antigua until the 9th of May. He's gutted, naturally. :-)

I'm stuck in Woolwich. I'm naturally gutted.

I'm getting antsy about flight to Amsterdam in May. I mean, it's not as if I can get off my shed anywhere else, is it?

Well, actually yes, Christiania in Copenhagen, but to be fair that's not any easier to get to.

If it's cancelled, train to Harwich, ferry to Hook and a nice day's ride through the Flatlands to Amsterdam. That is a trip full of Win.

This. While the ferry isn't exactly a paragon of luxury, it's still nicer than an airport departure lounge. But then again, so's syphilis.