#ashtag update

[rm]

UK airspace was briefly reopened this morning. It's since been closed again and they say the ash situation is getting worse both in terms of wind direction and the eruption itself, which is continuing. Currently UK airspace is slated to be closed through 7pm tonight and they will update that figure in about 45 minutes. ETA: airspace is now closed until 1am Sunday.

As of this moment our flight tomorrow has not yet been canceled, although we expect it to be. When that happens we wind up at the back of a line of people to get out. Right now they say the resolution of the flight chaos after the ash abates will take several days, all of which means that unless there's a radical wind shift, we do not expect to get out of the UK until midweek at least.

We checked with the hotel last night and should be able to hold this room for another night, but they weren't sure. I'm not yet putting out the "save us, Internet, save us" feelers, but if anyone has a spare couch somewhere accessible by London tube, we may need to know soon.

Everything feels sort of post-apocalyptic here. The news keeps explaining about anything that needs to fly in or out can't. Impact on the UK and European economies, airline stocks, and food prices getting a lot of press.

And, oh yeah, this is apparently the biggest European airspace shutdown since WWII.

So that's going on.

Comments

[idiomagic.livejournal.com]

I can't make any promises, but my very good friend moviegrrl is in London. If you can't find anything else, try contacting her via private message. Tell her you're a friend of mine, and I'm sure she will step up to the plate. She is incredibly awesome, in every way.

Good luck!

[firefly124.livejournal.com]

Yikes! That's got to be a bit nerve-wracking. Wish I had some suggestions for places to stay. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[maryling.livejournal.com]

Hopefully you'll be ok at the hotel - I'd imagine that many of the guests they were expecting today and over the next few days aren't going to be able to get there for the same reason that you can't leave. Once the air space opens for a significant amount of time, though, then you'll hit problems.

[elisi]

All the best! *crosses fingers* I'd offer you a couch, except we're way north...

I can, however, link you to gorgeous photos of the eruption. (From a Danish newspaper. You're not missing much by not being able to read the captions, except the fact that Icelanders going up to look at the volcano are bringing hot dogs to roast over the lava. This makes me smile.)

[gummitch.livejournal.com]

If your immediate fandom can't help, the wider fan network of London stands ready. (I'd offer our spare room, but I've got my brother here waiting to get on a flight to Thailand.)

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8621779.stm
lists your rights as an EUR air traveler, including the right to compensation and to somewhere to sleep and to food. So keep receipts. They are predicting hotel shortages, however. It seems to think you should not bother going to the airport to wait, as the airport is probably already packed. It also mentions that your credit card company might be able to help eventually if any of that was insured by them, but that's for later.

"send us an email at SCSLondon@state.gov; or call the Special Consular Services unit at 011-44-20-7499-9000 from the United States or 020-7499-9000 within the United Kingdom."

If there's no sofa or hotel available or you get stuck, don't forget the Embassy. There's nothing specific on their Web site (whence I cribbed the above) about the current mess, but they may be able to help you. I know they've got access to some temporary housing in London, although it may be full of stranded State Dept folks, they can absolutely help you - that's their job and it's what they're there for. They can help with an amazing variety of things. It won't hurt to contact them ASAP and get yourselves on any lists they're keeping.

Ironically all my UK contacts are stranded here. Someone over on britgeekgrrl's journal suggested a job swap, hilarious if you consider who of britgeekgrrl's acquaintances is stranded in the US. (britgeekgrrl may also have UK contacts, but she won't be awake for a few hours at least.)

(We just watched the end of Torchwood S2. Owie.)

Best wishes.

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

I think you should be able to find a couch in London; however, if the closure is longer than expected and you decide to use the time by sightseeing farther afield, I have a spare bedroom in the Netherlands (accessible by train, high-speed rail most of the way).

Several of the managers I work with were at a meeting in San Francisco and are stuck there, some of my Asian colleagues who were due to go home are stuck here, and I'm going to be upset if it turns out my husband can't make his flight here on Friday (which I think is more likely than not, given how back up everything will be.

[luke-jaywalker.livejournal.com]

How long *is* this mess expected to last, anyway?

[annathepiper]

Yoiks, sympathies on being stranded. :(

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

The geologist in me is both horrified and super jealous! :D

You can use my room

[(Anonymous)]

I can offer you a room in Clapham South London. Tunisianaunt@yaho.co.uk. Family house with a dog and cat. Get in touch if interested. Eva

Room in Clapham

[(Anonymous)]

Tunisianaunt@yahoo.co.uk whoops spekt it incorrectly...all the best Eva

Re: Room in Clapham

[rm.livejournal.com]

Thank you! We are good for now.