moneyburns

Is anyone in France at the moment that can give me a real time idea of what is going on with CDG and flying . We are scheduled to fly IAD-CDG ..May 5, but as of this morning our paper is saying this grounding/closing of airports could go on for weeks.

We have fully paid for the Pair Perfect apt. and a couple of hotels in Dordogne... Paris Perfect's site states "no cancellation refund for any reason"
but we did purchase trip insurance and are checking the fine print.

However, I really want to go on this trip as it has been in the planning process for so long.
Is there another way - i.e. through Spain or somewhere else in France; then perhaps a train to Paris, or are they still on strike?
Any info/advice from across the pond is appreciated. Everyone here in US is saying, don't bother to go. But they did not put their heart and soul (and thousands of dollars) into planning it.

Has the ash affected the air in Paris? Do you notice a difference in the weather as opposed to the norm of April past? (This was also noted in the news; bad weather yet I hear it is very sunny in England! I am very confused..)

Thank you for any info to calm the nerves. If our trip ins. does come through for us, I will reschedule for next year but REALLY hope it will happen this May; so I thought I'd just turn to my experts again who seem to be very good investigative reporters,as opposed to my regional papers!

Thank youall so much. This forum has helped me plan and execute this trip and I am so appreciative. I just hope DH and I can get there for our big 3-0 anniversary; who knows when that will come around again, LOL...
MoneyB

avalon

A friend just had to land in Madrid as he couldn't get into Paris, where he lives. He was going to drive to Paris but there were no rental cars available.

hetismij

The air is fine, the ash too high to affect the ground level air. It may be problem if it rains, but at the moment the sky is blue and it is sunny (at least in the Netherlands).

I would hold off on worrying just yet, it may all be over soon. As I have said in other post KLM and Lufthansa have done some test flights and found no ash in the engines on landing, so hopefully some routes will be re-opened shortly.

If it doesn't happen then you will need your insurance. Your airline should repay or rebook your tickets at no cost. Since everyone in Europe is now getting around by train and hire car there is little point in you trying to get in via a southern European airport.

Cathinjoetown

I'm in SW France, near Toulouse. Flights are going in and out of Toulouse-Blagnac airport, but of course many have been canceled because their origination or destination is north of here. So, whereas there are usually several flights a day Toulouse-Paris, there are none at the moment.

The problem is there is no predicting what this ash cloud will do or if more ash will be generated. I just checked the news and it looks like Tuesday is the earliest that flights will start again at CDG, subject to the conditions.

My only suggestion would be to perhaps look at flights into SW or the south France or Spain (Barcelona or Madrid) and then plan to get north by train or rental car. I posted earlier today that SNCF has added about 8,500 seats to its international trains so you might try that. As hetismij says, rental cars are few and far between.

I know how disappointing this must be--I guess there is as good a chance that 5 May will be clear as there is that there will be ash. Not a great answer, I know.

moneyburns

Hetismiz, and Cathinjoetown, thanks for the help; I guess we will wait out this week and see; I notice many postings on this situation and will try to follow them...

We took a long walk, deep breaths and feel better. At least we have insurance; I can't imagine the loss to those who do not. And the many travel industry-related companies and individuals who will suffer losses because of this situation- especially during some a popular travel season.

Travelguard posted on their site that they will cover any trip cancellations because of the volcano eruption, so that makes us feel a bit better. Though I still do not want to miss this trip, and will try to keep a positive outlook the next two weeks.

Tx,

MB

alanRow

<<< Is anyone in France at the moment that can give me a real time idea of what is going on with CDG and flying . We are scheduled to fly IAD-CDG ..May 5, but as of this morning our paper is saying this grounding/closing of airports could go on for weeks. >>>

The people in France have access to exactly the same information as you. So airports are closed until at least 8:00am French Time on the 19th April

So just keep checking the usual European news sources like the BBC

The same applies to all the other threads asking "what's going to happen".

stldv

The only airport open and working today is on Corsica.

gracejoan3

Moneyburns,

I have a friend and apartment owner in France now. Just had an email from her this morning as she was due to fly to ATL over the weekend. She now has a flight re-booked for Wednesday and is crossing her fingers. That is just the way it is, unfortunately!!
I know you have a Paris Perfect apt.and have heard from one who was to leave on Sat. and they helped her by moving her to another apt. and she now has a last week of month flight out of London and is going to London and one of their London Perfect apts. there until she leaves. Most apartment owners are doing everything they can to help those who are stuck there and those who are trying to arrive. It has to be a nightmare for them!!

The trip insurance business will probably increase after this for those who have never seen a reason to purchase it. It has alwasys been there and a choice to make

moneyburns

Hi Joan,

Thank goodness we always get trip insurance...it is just part of the process for us..having had to use it in South America where DH became so ill he was hospitalized. Saved our receipts for everything and within two weeks the check was in the mail..

I so desperately do not want to have to use it though; I have been looking so forward to this trip ,so we decided to keep a positive attitude, watch the news (yes BBC has most up to date as far as I can tell) and hope everyone gets out of this mess eventually.

I was about to email you to see if your friends were ok. and its good to hear they are. It is also a good thing Paris Perfect does have so many apts. so if need be they can move their clients around if stuck. I wouldn't mind trying out one of their London flats myself!

And, if for some reason we do not make it May 2010, I will know what apt. to request next go round! I have fun just perusing their website drooling over the apts. Armchair traveling will be the next best thing until I get on that jet.

Thanks for the info,

MB

gracejoan3

moneyburns,

I do hope it works out for you to go this year. I was to leave for PAris on the 30th for the month of May until my sister's pproblems came up. I do not feel quite so disappointed now with all this mess going on.

I suppose some help in switching people around for those who cannot leave and for those who cannot arrive. It has to be a nightmare for the reservations people..each reservation is an individual problem..and flights can still be changed!!

I don't know if you have looked at their London apartments..not that many of them, but they are most attractive and all seem to be in great locations for seeeing/doing/eating!

Good luck for all you planning. I know you are watching it all.

Joan

mpprh

You can see the location of the ash cloud here : http://www.radarvirtuel.com & here : http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...1271591498.png .

You will also see there are a few test flights operating within that area.

Peter

Mahya2

MPPRH

thanks for the maps on
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...1271591498.png .

It does say that today "significant eruptions are continuing" and although they said the cloud was moving east, to me it looks like it has begun to move west...and also so far the only thing clear is Spain.

moneyburns

Good news is we are covered by our trip insurance...but bad news is I don't care, I want so badly to go..
I just recently read in the past hour that the Eu airlines are going to try to get back in the air..of course they want and need to...some feel it is safe. They will test and find out I am sure.


We'll see; and I am sure praying for those stuck and not in my position. I have nothing to complain about really. I just like having a support group, so thank you. Makes me feel better
to discuss this with those who understand...and who better than avid travelers.

Still meditating, drinking wine, sacrificing husband, etc. to get that ash out of there.

MoneyB

loisco

We have cancelled the first half of our trip to the Dordogne, Nimes, Burgundy, etc. Now we are rescheduled for Monday April 26 on AF to Paris. If that doesn't go, we are through with all this chaos.

sap

Loisco, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how I would feel in that situation. Will you be able to reschedule?

sap

I meant, will you be able to reschedule the entire trip if it comes down to that?

tuscanlifeedit

OK, I'll sympathize with you. We are scheduled to go out on Wednesday to Rome; it's my 60th birthday and we are celebrating 25 years together.

I actually think we will go, but the thing is, who knows? There is just no way we can predict.

We had very little invested in the trip: the tix are on FF miles, and we had about $150.00 US on our apartment, and about $70.00 in tickets to the Caravaggio exhibit. Everything else can be cancelled.

The bitch to me is that because I wasn't feeling well, we just bought tickets to Philadelphia for $408.00. We were going to drive, but it just seemed better at the last minute to fly. Our plans are to go to Philadelphia no matter what. We will celebrate my birthday there, or in NYC, or maybe DC, then just come home over the weekend. DH doesn't get that much vacation that we can use up a week if we are not going on our trip to Italy.

So rats. I want to go on the trip very much, and because of health issues, I have put more of myself into planning and getting ready than is probably sensible. It is hard for me to do this; I don't want to feel sorry for myself, but hey, I'm only human.

We have had so many great trips to Italy, and if they redeposit my miles, I guess I could live with the trip being canceled. Anyone know what's on in DC? Just in case, you know...

moneyburns

I am just sorry for everyone; my dear dh said this morning, you know this ash cloud is affecting way more than our little trip (although for us the 5 or so thousand is not little)-

but in relation to what is really going on..the loss of tourism, the effect of products not moving; and therefore, the small producers not getting their goods out; possibly losing their livelihood; the stress they will go through for months to come -
well that put it into perspective for me.
My trip (as much as I want it), is just a luxury. There are people who can lose everything over a catastrophe such as this. That makes me not only sad, but really distraught and embarrassed over my selfishness.
I can't afford to give away my $ 5,000 but I wish I could to help out.

Instead I will quit crying over that damn ash and get on with life- which is reading the forum everytime I can sneak it in. That's my idea of throwing caution to the wind, or in this case, ash....

I just hope it the air clears for everyone and some semblance of normalcy (whatever that is and did I spell it right?)
returns so I can get back to my whining without guilt.
And I really did want a bottle of non-USA based perfume from France. darn

Later,
MoneyB

DeborahAnn

Tuscanlifeedit, let us know if DC becomes your consolation trip--maybe those of us in the area can plan a GTG with you!!

My husband and I are scheduled to go to Rome out of PHL on May 10th, no trip insurance this time and several sizeable deposits that will hurt the budget but not break it

I'm hoping, of course, that we will be flying to Rome between eruptions and ash clouds.

USAir still shows the #718 PHL to FCO flights are scheduled to fly, the #719 turnaround FCO to PHL is now in the air so all may end well for you. I'm certainly hoping you can take your trip to Rome. Deborah

jo_ann

Very good web site for the airports (given to me by a Delta agent this a.m.). Airlineindustryreview.com Then open the tab at the top: Airports. She said that's what they're using to figure where to book passengers