Anyone else stuck somewhere because of the volcano in Iceland?

[annk]

Is DTW-AMS Detroit-Amsterdam? What is a same-day confirmed charge? Do you mean that I should try to get on an earlier flight?

Edit: Sorry, that was stupid - of course DTW-AMS is Detroit Amsterdam. But I'm interested in this same-day confirmation charge, and whether or not you think trying to get on an earlier flight out of Detroit is a good idea.

 

[aethelbert]

Edit: Sorry, that was stupid - of course DTW-AMS is Detroit Amsterdam. But I'm interested in this same-day confirmation charge, and whether or not you think trying to get on an earlier flight out of Detroit is a good idea.

I would try to stand by for all three of the earlier flights assuming that they're not canceled. Whether or not they'll go out should be posted on delta.com in the morning, though you should use these Delta flight numbers rather than the KLM codeshares that you were given (they're the same flight):

DL 252
DL 242
DL 234
DL 248

After some reading, it seems that you can only make the same day confirmed change (for $50) within three hours of original departure time. Before that, it'll be $250. It seems that I misspoke as their standby policy is now only for elite members of their frequent flyer program.

You should be able to enter your e-ticket number (long number, starts with 006, 012, 057, 074, or 139) on delta.com and change your flights for that $250 right now or some time tomorrow for $50, though they might make you pay a difference in fare. As of right now, they're all listed as on time and all have plenty of empty seats. But from the looks of it, your window of opportunity to get out of here may end up being quite narrow, so I'd make every reasonable effort to get out of the US tomorrow.

Good luck and safe travels.

 

[annk]

Thank you so much! KL 540 is cancelled, but the other three are listed as on time - my original flight included.

I'll try to get on the first one going out, but if I can't, and if I see that my original flight is cancelled during the day, I'll try to rebook for somewhere farther south in Europe. Seems like I ought to leave Madison and get to Detroit no matter what, so I'm at least AT an international airport and can be ready when something comes up.

UPDATE:

No flights from the US to Amsterdam. I didn't take the Madison to Detroit flight because the woman I talked to at KLM said I would be crazy to do that. She said just phone and rebook, if you've got somewhere to stay in the meantime.

My issue is that when they don't answer the phones at Delta, I can't rebook. If I'm in the Detroit airport, I could at least stand in line at the Delta counter and get rebooked. But after a half hour of redialing and then an hour in line, I did get through and got rebooked for tomorrow.

One day at a time, I guess. Apparently they're going to ease up a bit on the restrictions over N Europe now, since KLM and LH did successful trial flights.

 

[aethelbert]

Well some possibly good news for you: flights out of Amsterdam have begun again, albeit at a limited level. Longhaul routes get priority, so hopefully you'll be able to get home soon.

 

[annk]

That is great news! Fingers crossed for tomorrow afternoon out of Detroit.

I hope you guys on "the other side" are holding out. The people I've managed to get on the phone have been unfailingly courteous and very helpful. I can't even imagine what you all are dealing with.

 

[Heilage]

My dad is stuck in Tokyo. Should've been back in Norway by now. At least if he can get back to Europe he can catch a train home.

 

[annk]

That's what I was thinking too, but apparently it's not so easy to get train tickets or to rent cars. There are a lot of people stuck in Europe who are competing for those things.

If I get to Amsterdam, I can hang out at someone's home, and will at least be in the right time zone (I think - can't remember if it's exactly the same ). Right now, I feel like I'm on another planet.

Good luck to your dad. Hope the delay isn't costing him too much.