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OT - I may miss my sister's wedding

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

As you may have seen on the news, most flights to and from Europe at the moment are suspended because of an ash cloud from a volcano that is erupting in Iceland.

Flights are suspended until 7am tomorrow morning and it isn't looking good until later in the week - we are due to fly Wednesday evening, we would get to New Zealand on Friday for the wedding on Saturday.

I am preparing myself for the fact that I may miss my sister's wedding and the opportunity to go home for the first time in 4 years. Even though there is nothing that I can do about it, I am really upset, and keep getting more upset.

I still have to concentrate on an exam which I am sitting on Wednesday before we are leaving and I have two days at work and I am just trying to work out how I am going to work my way through them - I'm not really sure what to do.

General

38 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

LoP

Veteran

Oh no! So sorry to hear that. It is indeed very disappointing. You have until next week. Hope the situation improves by then. It might be a good idea to get on the wait list for a few days later. Did you call your airline?

My hubby is also missing a few work and family events in Amsterdam. He wuit trying this morning after a few days of re-booking flights.

Queen Mum

Veteran

oh no!!! I was wondering if anyone here was affected by this. I can't even imagine the fretting you must be consumed in... I know I would be. I know there is nothing we can say or do to make it better, but know that I am feeling sick for you ;-(
(((BIG HUGS)))

tarzy

Veteran

Stupid volcano. I'm so sorry.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Thanks for your support, it is just frustrating because it is so out of my control and there isn't anything I can do.

I have a flight held for Thursday, which would get us to New Zealand 4 hours before the wedding - which I will of course take. That is really the only other option at the moment - it is over 25 hours flying time and then of course New Zealand is ahead of every other country time wise as well.

On a lighter note, I haven't heard anyone try and pronounce the name of the volcano yet - Eyjafjallajökull - anyone want to take a punt?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fiona! You *will* get onto a flight back to NZ in time for your sister's wedding. I am sure of it. You just have to be tenacious about it though. Phone the airlines a couple of times a day. Book multiple flights on Expedia and cancel them when you need to - you need back up flight plans. We did that recently for NY Fashion Week when thousands of flights were canceled due to several blizzards. Our efforts really paid off. It's not over till it's over! We are right here hoping you'll get on that plane.

It's so hard to have to concentrate on swotting when you're preoccupied with other things. Just try and do the best you can. Set yourself lower goals and run with it. It's all going to work out okay.

Hang in there. We are here if you need us to help in any way. (((HUGS))).

Debora

Veteran

Good luck, Fiona. Angie and the gals have given you excellent advice. In the meantime, concentrate on your studies and your test, and try not to let this distract you from the task at hand. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Fiona,
I hope that you get to the wedding. My only suggestion is to be persistent and focus on the things that you can do something about. If worse case happens (which it likely won't)
maybe your trip will be postponed until a more perfect time that allows you to spend even more time with your sister and her family.

cciele

Veteran

Hang in there, Fi! I'm rooting for you, both for your test and your flight.

elpgal

Veteran

Fingers crossed for you! Good luck with your test.

rute

Veteran

Oh.. Fiona, I'm sure you'll get there on time!

Concentrate on your studies .. no need to worry on something you cannot control!

Think positive!

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I hope I do get there! I am being as positive as possible, with moments of having that horrible wobbly feeling where you aren't quite sure of yourself...

Angie, part of the problem is the limited number of options for flying to New Zealand (similar to South Africa I would imagine?) The flight I have booked for Thursday is the only flight out of London that would get me to Wellington with more than one hour to spare. I also have flights held out of Paris and I will try and get another flight held out of London on Wednesday evening in case my Qantas flight doesn't evenuate, even if the airports are open. All the airline websites are warning, that even with open airports they will not necessarily be flying to schedule.

Greenglove - thanks for your perspective on how to look at things - you are right, it would be nice to spend more time in NZ seeing my family. It is a good way to look at things.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I totally understand, Fi. There is only one flight a day to South Africa from three Euro hubs.

So, if you don't have visa requirements, perhaps you can book a Quantas flight leaving from London, Paris and Amsterdam. Hop on the train to Paris or Amsterdam if your flight leaves from there. Time might be tight though. I'm just brain storming with you so that you know you tried everything possible to get to your sister's wedding - in hope that it might make you feel better.

Hang in there. I know you're being positive :0)

taylor

Veteran

Oh...fingers crossed for you. This volcano is having such a huge worldwide impact:(

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fi, I just had another thought while out walking the girls. A friend of mine couldn't make it to a wedding in Hawaii so the bride and groom taped their wedding live onto the internet (private access for viewers of course). I have no idea how this is done, but it might be the answer if you end up not being able to get out of London. That way your family could feel you were there, and you'd feel more connected to the event from afar.

But it's still not over till it's over :0)

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Oh Fi sending some great big calming hugs to you.

I saw the news the other day and was wondering just how much chaos it was causing over in your part of the world.

Will be keeping everything crossed for you that you can get a flight out somehow... and if all else fails, Angie's Internet Wedding suggestions sounds great too.

Sihaya

Veteran

Hang in there Fiona - it's great that you are considering many options. And the situation is such a messy one. We are scheduled to fly to Europe on Wed evening via Heathrow and are keeping our fingers massively crossed too.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Poor Fiona, how incredibly frustrating for you! But take heart. We've been covering this at work almost non-stop, and I saw today that some airliners are doing test flights to see if it's safe. If they figure they can make it happen, I bet they'll get planes back in the air as soon as they can. They're bleeding money because of this, and they no doubt want to start flying again as badly as most people (though probably not you). A whole lot can happen in three days. Take deep breaths and literally focus on one day at a time. Zero in on the things you havve control over, like your exam, rather than the trajectory of the cloud or the machinations at Heathrow. And hang in there...I'll keep all digits crossed in hopes you get to go home!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Just a thought... I know a lot of Scotish airports are operating at near normal capacity. Do any Qantas flights depart from somewhere like Edinburgh, and if so is it feasible for you to get there?

JennyK (NC)

Oh, how miserable! I'm so sorry to hear this. Of course you're upset! Who wouldn't be? This is a really big deal. It must be so hard to concentrate with this hanging over your head ... I'll bet you check the updated news every five minutes! I am keeping everything crossed that the ash will clear out before Wednesday and that you'll be able to get on that plane!

By the way - I was listening to a story on NPR or BBC radio (can't remember which) and they had a reporter in Iceland. They were discussing the pronunciation of the volcano. I heard it several times and still was like, "what??"

Queen Mum

Veteran

Jenny- as I don't listen to the news, I haven't heard the name of the volcano so looked it up.... "Eyjafjallajokull" I'll just call it volcano "joe cool"

Debbie

Veteran

I hope you get there. I'm thinking about you. The volcano is wrecking havoc on air traffic.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh Fi, I can't imagine being in your situation at the moment, please try to remember the flights are grounded for your safety. Your Sisters wedding is so important but the safety of you and DH is paramount.

Try to focus on work and your exam for now, I really hope the weather patterns change and you are able to travel on Wednesday as expected.

((hugs))

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

Fi, OH NO!! I'm so sorry to learn this has affected you. Do NOT give up!

This may be a reaaalllly dumb suggestion, but is it worth considering trying to also get waitlisted on an earlier flight to Australia (if it exists) and then a connecting flight Aus - NZ? I'm just wondering whether there are more flights UK to Oz vs UK - NZ?

I've just checked Virgin Blue and on Thurs (for instance) there are flights Syd - NZ around the $200-$300 AUS mark. http://www.virginblue.com.au/

(Of course I have no idea where you would fly to in NZ, but you could easily fly into either Melbourne or Sydney and then get a connecting flight.)

Of course, it means more flights and time and (maybe) a few extra hundred $, but could it be a possibility?

Tansie

Such a bummer - I can understand your frustration. I think the others have given good advice. No one can control this volcano or the wind direction so try not to fret over it too much. I like Angie's internet idea too. Also, sorry to be a downer, but if there is the possibility of a flight from Paris, look carefully at trains. It is the 11th day of a train strike here. With airports closed, no trains and school holidays it is a bit chaotic...Good luck with your exam - that you CAN do something about

Louise

Veteran

Oh Fi how awful I'm not religious but i shall pray to whoever's listening that the ash clears and you can get there safe x

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Thanks for all your responses. I am slightly more philosophical about things this morning – there are much worse things that could happen!

Unfortunately, the situation they are reporting now is that the cloud will actually worsen on Tuesday and Wednesday. My DH and I were talking last night about whether we would cancel the trip altogether if we couldn’t make it to the wedding (or at least to NZ by Sunday). We would get a full refund on our flights or we could re-book for later in the year.

Angie your idea of streaming the wedding is something we had thought of and I have my brother looking in to it. Even if it isn’t possible for me to watch it live, someone can definitely video it and the upload it for me to watch.

Yesterday, I was in London getting my haircut and the queue outside the Rail Europe office was at least 500 people long!

I am also having a nicer day today as we are having a photo shoot for a major newspaper at my work. We had thespians this morning and authors this afternoon! So interesting watching the photographer set up the shots, adjust the lighting and direct the shoot!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, Fi. I'm so sorry. But it does sound like you're more at peace with the possible outcome. Keep us posted and good luck with that exam.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I found out today that my flight on Wednesday has now been cancelled and I am unable to rebook until mid-May.

My last hope is that flights resume on Thursday and I am able to catch a flight out that day - if my travel insurance company agree to pay!

rute

Veteran

Oh.. I heard the news today (that more flights were being cancelled).. so sorry! Hope you can catch the one on Thursday.

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