Volcanic Ash

I am scheduled to fly from Seattle to Paris to Istanbul on Air France on May 21.
Am I worried? No, but concerned. Nothing I can do will improve the skies over there before I leave. Am I worried about not being able to return? Not at all.
Other than here in Hawaii, I can not think of a better place to get "stuck" in. Let us all hope for the best.

Not concerned about not being able to return... just concerned about not being able to go. Leaving early June. If I get stuck, I'll make the best of it.

well, yes i am concerned about that as well. My son is supposed to leave for Spain on 5/31 for school so we are worried about that as well!

I agree. I'm not worried about going home, I more worried about getting there. I even have friends who will put me up if my stay becomes extended. ; ) Pam

I just want to get there,, once there I do not care,, seriously,, I am leaving in 19 more days and I would almost swim to get there..LOL

I was in France last month and was mainly concerned about my cash flow if I was detained. When you call your bank/credit card company, you might tell them you will be in Europe for 6 months. Then if you are back home earlier just call again and tell them you are home. I do my banking and other financial stuff on the internet, so I could stay indefinitely as long as my credit card or ATM card keeps working. How did people ever travel before the internet? I think I hauled around a bunch of travelers' checks and didn't worry about volcanic ash.

Well, I do worry about it a bit - I'm hopeful my flight will go - it's the being stuck over there and the cash flow that worries me. I agree there couldn't be a better place to be stuck, but it could get quite expensive. I'm not willing to do anything about it (in terms of not going) and will just hope for the best.

Susan,

I'll be leaving in six days, so I'm a bit concerned that my flights to Europe may be delayed or cancelled. However, once I get there I'm not too concerned about delays coming back. I can stay in Hostels if necessary to keep the costs down. I'll "cross that bridge" when and if the time comes.

My flight is to Copenhagen in July.

I figure there is plenty in life to worry about without worrying about something you can't control.

I agree with all my heart, Brad! Be that terrorism or volcanos.

However, it is always good to have a Plan B. And besides the independently wealthy, who may have other options, I think it is legitimate and wise to think about the 'what ifs', and just how to deal with such a situation, should it indeed arise.

Besides hostels and Western Union, there are also many local people and organizations which will help/who will take you in or refer you to a place you can stay, should you get stuck.

Take heart, and have fun going ahead with your travel plans!

Thanks everyone! I feel better - I should stop worrying about what I cannot control! It is just that I am unemployed and cannot afford to stay there forever. Let's all hope that it will be MANY years before something will happen again.

This is one of the most recent satellite pics from NASA click here

showing the ash cloud over Europe, with the caption: "It isn't over yet."