I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Off-Topic => Off-Topic: Talk about anything you want. => Topic started by: MooseMom on December 18, 2010, 10:50:58 PM

Title: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: MooseMom on December 18, 2010, 10:50:58 PM
OK, I'm whining but I don't care.  My son's flight from London has been cancelled due to ice at Heathrow.  This has been the crappiest year, and when my husband said not to worry, it's almost over, I replied that there was two weeks left for it to continue to go pear-shaped, and it has.

I am really disappointed.  I don't know when I'll get to see him.  I don't think he and his dad even know yet...I'm up late checking BA's website and saw that it was cancelled.

I really can't catch a break.  I'd have a pity party if I were in a good enough mood.

I'm really really upset.  I didn't get to see him over the summer because my mom got sick and then passed away, and I was so looking forward to having one good thing happen, but no.  I don't ask for much.  I just want to see my kid, that's all.
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: okarol on December 18, 2010, 11:06:31 PM
 :( OH NO! I am so sorry. Jeeez I would be so upset. That happened last Christmas when Becca was coming home from NY, but luckily it only took her 24 hours to get a new flight by sleeping on the floor next to the counter. I hope your son can get rebooked and still make it to see you. Sending strong wishes and positive thoughts to the travel Gods, or whoever is in charge! :pray;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: gothiclovemonkey on December 18, 2010, 11:50:44 PM
 :thumbdown;
Thats terrible that they cancelled :( I hope the weather stops being contankerous so he can come!
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: MooseMom on December 19, 2010, 12:08:22 AM
Well no, it sounds like there is more snow on the way.  Travel has been disrupted for several days now, so there are a lot of people who will have to be rebooked.  BA isn't required to get a stranded passenger out the next day...it just has to be on the "next available flight", and goodness knows when that will be.  We spend a hell of a lot of money to get that kid on flights that work around school holidays, and of course that's the most expensive time to fly.  His dad has to work and can't be spending all of his time getting to and from Heathrow; I hate the inconvenience this causes for both my son and my ex.  My son is autistic, so that complicates things, and this was going to be his first time travelling on his own, ie not as an "unaccompanied minor".  So, it gets very complicated.
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: Jean on December 19, 2010, 12:40:04 AM
Oh, MM, that is the pits!!! So sorry that happend to you. If you want to chat with me and compare notes, I have had a year like that also. We could have a joint pity party.
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: MooseMom on December 19, 2010, 12:47:51 AM
Oh, MM, that is the pits!!! So sorry that happend to you. If you want to chat with me and compare notes, I have had a year like that also. We could have a joint pity party.
Normally I would not only have a pity party, but I'd decorate the hall!  But I guess I should get some sleep because tomorrow might be a long day (or, rather, later today!).  But you know what, if you feel like it, I'd sure like it if you'd PM me and tell me about the lowlights of your 2010.  I know it has not been an easy year for you, so I can sympathize.  You and I have helped each other a lot over the past months! :cuddle;

G'night!
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: Darthvadar on December 19, 2010, 03:55:34 AM
Oh No!!!!...

What a nightmare, Moose....

The prospects for travel don't look good over the next day or two... Don't lose hope, though... There are several days yet!...

By the way, do get in touch with BA, and explain about your son's Autism... Obviously, they probably aren't aware... They won't even tell your son that you called!.... Where there's a special need, my experience of BA has been good... Maybe it's bacause they want to get rid of any of us likely to cause a difficulty, but hey, who cares why it works, so long as it does!... Besides, I'll only refuse the little perks that go with having a disability when I don't have to do battle with the discrimmination that go with it too!...

Hope it all works out...

God bless...

Darth...
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: MooseMom on December 19, 2010, 08:21:45 AM
Darth, we've been flying BA at least twice a year, every year, since my son was born.  Everyone at Heathrow/BA knows him, and they know about his autism.  They give us first class service, and more often than not, they find a way to upgrade him (he's very tall).  We've paid extra to have him classed as "unaccompanied minor" for years...they'll help him through customs, immigration, etc, but now he is technically too old for that service.  I'm sure he'd get along just fine on his own, but introduce elements of chaos and uncertainty, and he might panic a bit or get confused.

Anyway, his dad has been trying for hours to just get in touch with a human at BA on the phone number they supplied, but the line is swamped and he can't get through.  He hasn't been able to rebook on the website, either.  This is the sort of scenario that every airline must dread...some act of nature shutting down one of the world's major hubs on the busiest travel weekend of the whole year, except maybe for the Easter break, but OH!, THAT happened, TOO!  Volcanoes and blizzards all in one year...who would've thunk it?
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: Darthvadar on December 19, 2010, 08:30:02 AM
Oh Moose....

What a terrible situation.... You must be climbing the walls with worry... I was watching a UK news channel and they're suggesting that some people won't get flights until after Christmas....

I can only hope your son's one of the lucky ones... Please keep us informed.....

Here's the link for that new channel... They seem to be giving the latest info.....

www.skynews.com

By the way, you're SO right... Any impairment makes travel even more difficult... I try to avoid it when I can....

God bless....

Darth...
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: thegrammalady on December 19, 2010, 10:48:15 AM
i feel so bad for you. but the pollyanna in me says it will all work out somehow. (we can all blame my mother for that)
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: boswife on December 19, 2010, 11:05:01 AM
This is terrable news :(  I would get the ADA involved personally.  There are laws that protect those that need it and its one thing i would insist on.  I travel with a service dog and though it causes some people some greef, it seems that most airlines know when you mention ADA, they are more than happy to assist anyone with any disability with extra special concern...  Just my thoughts...  My feelings though,, Im just so sorry this is happening to you...  I hope and pray that things turn around in your favor....  :pray;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: MooseMom on December 19, 2010, 11:13:36 AM
My son's autism isn't really the issue, it's just a complicating factor.  Heathrow is just closed down, period.  There's nothing for it except to wait and see if he can get rebooked within the next few days.  If not, then I'll have to wait for Easter, which means that it will have been a whole year since I got to see him.  But the important thing is that he is home, safe.  Still, I'm really disappointed.

I haven't even gotten a tree or anything.  I just didn't feel in the spirit; maybe I suspected this was going to happen.

 :'(
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: monrein on December 19, 2010, 02:25:40 PM
MM, I was away at the cottage for the weekend and when I was watching the news about all the weather the Europe I immediately thought of you and of your son's visit.  My husband thought I'd gone totally bonkers when they mentionned Heathrow and I said out loud "Oh no...I sure hope this doesn't affect MooseMom's Christmas plans".
I thought about the last time he was here and there was all the ash in the air, interrupting his flight home...it doesn't seem fair to me either.
I wish it were different.   :grouphug;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: MooseMom on December 19, 2010, 02:38:45 PM
My husband thought I'd gone totally bonkers when they mentionned Heathrow and I said out loud "Oh no...I sure hope this doesn't affect MooseMom's Christmas plans".

 :rofl; 
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: cariad on December 19, 2010, 04:18:18 PM
This is beyond horrible, MM! I wish there were something I could do.

Like thegrammalady, I have a feeling things will be set right, but what a colossal disappointment that he is not with you right now.

Hang in there, hun. I'm thinking of you and hoping for a mini heatwave to hit the UK. :grouphug;

Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: del on December 19, 2010, 05:24:09 PM
So sorry to hear that you won't be seeing your son at Christmas.   :cuddle;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: MooseMom on December 19, 2010, 07:29:38 PM
BA's website won't allow us to rebook from there...I don't know why.  And the phone number they give you to call to rebook is so overwhelmed on both sides of the Atlantic that they don't even answer.  We've been trying for 15 straight hours. 

Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: kitkatz on December 24, 2010, 01:33:34 PM
 :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: rsudock on December 24, 2010, 05:48:45 PM
Moosemama any update on your son? Thinking of you on Christmas Eve...

xo,
R
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: okarol on December 24, 2010, 07:38:14 PM
 :-* Hey MM, Merry Christmas! Just thinking of you.  :waving;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: kellyt on December 25, 2010, 10:05:24 AM
 :cuddle;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: MooseMom on December 25, 2010, 01:27:14 PM
Thanks to everyone for your kind words.  I am thrilled to report that British Airways rebooked my son's flight, and on top of everything, they flew him out FIRST CLASS!  He is here with us right now, and it is wonderful. :clap;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: Darthvadar on December 25, 2010, 02:11:20 PM
Great news, Moose!...

Well done, BA..... They're very human in dealing withpeople!...

Happy Christmas to you and yours!!!!!....

Love...

Darth...
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: glitter on December 25, 2010, 04:15:57 PM
Thats fantastic news, have a great christmas!
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: okarol on December 25, 2010, 09:01:25 PM
 :bandance; I just let out a little SCREAM of joy - that's happy news! YAHOOOO!!!  :yahoo;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: phyl1215 on December 26, 2010, 07:24:07 AM
I love happy endings...glad he made it.  :yahoo;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: rsudock on December 26, 2010, 05:44:54 PM
happy to hear the good news!! :)

xo,
R
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: looneytunes on December 26, 2010, 07:18:42 PM
wonderful news, MM.  Enjoy your facetime with him!   :clap;
Title: Re: Not so Merry Christmas
Post by: ChickenLittle56 on December 26, 2010, 07:50:41 PM
Thank God that your son is finally home and enjoy the time that you have him.