Bomb threat on UK plane to USA

[matriarch]

Bomb threat foiled on UK plane
Bugger, bugger, bugger!

I'm glad they foiled it, of course, but hell, this is going to make our 10 hour flight home today a real pain in the arse, not to mention the incredible delays at the airport.

OK, time to see what we can leave behind so the all important laptops can go in the main luggage.

*sigh*

 

[scheherazade_79]

You'll have to join the mile high club for your entertainment, instead

 

[minsue]

You'll have to join the mile high club for your entertainment, instead

Entertainment isn't quite the issue. Getting everything we need to on the damned plane is more of an issue at the moment.

 

[scheherazade_79]

Entertainment isn't quite the issue. Getting everything we need to on the damned plane is more of an issue at the moment.

Downsize, and then join the mile high club

 

[minsue]

Downsize, and then join the mile high club

Everything I own is in 9 rubbermaid containers (to be shipped by sea), two suitcases, and two carry on bags. I'm downsized, baby. Odds are, we'll be too exhausted to even think about joining the mile high club, but if we change our minds you'll be the first to know.

Off to bed.

 

[Guest]

Vana family's flyin in from SA and they were told to expect up to 8 hour delays

 

[minsue]

Fuck.

Heathrow has been closed to all incoming flights. This is not good.

 

[Liar]

Ugh.

Wishing you patience. If I had any to spare, I'd send it over.

 

[EmeraldKitten]

Talk about a pain in the ass.

Good luck ladies.

 

[Guest]

Everything I own is in 9 rubbermaid containers (to be shipped by sea), two suitcases, and two carry on bags. I'm downsized, baby. Odds are, we'll be too exhausted to even think about joining the mile high club, but if we change our minds you'll be the first to know.

Off to bed.

if there's anything you need but can t bring with you now, send it to us and we'll bring it at the end of the month.

 

[matriarch]

Our house-watcher called at 1am to tell us Heathrow had been closed to all incoming flights.

Bugger. We have a limited time window to get home and register for the wedding, or it won't happen.

Then my sister texted me at 6am, to say the same thing and what were we going to do.

Bugger 2.

I just checked the news on line, and apparently its all short haul flights that have been cancelled - UK and Europe. Long Hauls are under serious delays. Won't really know until we call the airport.

The hand luggage thing is still in effect. This is what I found on the British Airways website:

Latest disruption update Summary

British Airways, along with all other airlines, is experiencing major disruption to its operations at London Heathrow today, Thursday 10 August , because of severe airport congestion, following the introduction of new security arrangements.

As a result British Airways has cancelled all shorthaul inbound and outbound (UK and European plus Tripoli) flights to and from London Heathrow for the whole of Thursday 10 August.

British Airways is also cancelling some domestic and shorthaul services in and out of London Gatwick during the remainder of the day.

The airline aims to operate as many longhaul services as possible from London Heathrow and London Gatwick. These are subject to delay.

Shorthaul and domestic services operated by the airline’s regional subsidiary BA Connect to and from UK regional airports (not Heathrow and Gatwick) are continuing to operate albeit with delays.

Customers are advised to check the latest real-time information for their flight (for today and up to 5 days in advance) please click here.

More information

British Airways has put in place a policy which outlines re-booking options for customers affected by this flight disruption.

Customers due to depart from UK airports who do not wish to travel today or tomorrow can rebook up until 1 December 2006 or obtain a refund.

Any customers whose flights have been cancelled can rebook or obtain a refund. To review your rebooking options click here.

You may be able to change or refund your booking online - click here for more details.

Customers in the UK can also call a special freephone number – 0800 727 800

For contact details of British Airways offices around the world please click here

Online check-in has temporarily been disabled during this disruption.

The traffic situation on all approaching roads to London Heathrow is extremely congested and any customers thinking of flying from the airport are advised to leave plenty of time for their journeys.

We did our online check in last night, and it worked ok. I assume it will no longer apply - won't know until we have checked with BA and/or Phoenix airport.

The hand luggage thing means you can only take on are a wallet, passport and essential medicines, carried in a see-through plastic bag. Baby bottles/milk have to be tasted by the accompanying adult passenger. Every passenger will be pat-down searched. Can you imagine how many hours this is going to add on to every single flight??

I'm trying to imagine enduring a 10 hour flight with no book, no mp3 player, no playing cards, no snacks. Bad enough during the day time, but on an overnighter for those of us unable to sleep???

But.....I understand why. I do. But its very difficult not to be selfish. Right now, all I want to be told is that the flight's still on. We do have a very limited window whereby we HAVE to be in the UK so that we can register for the ceremony. If we don't do that by a certain time, then it can't happen on the date we have arranged. There has to be a 3 week gap after registration, before the ceremony.

 

[R. Richard]

Wish you the best, but it does not look good.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

*hugs* I hope everything works out and you make it on time.

 

[Guest]

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Fuck! What next?
Leave them alone, already!

Anyway, what all are you thinking you'll need to leave behind? Anything that V & I can handle? Please just let us know what we can do. We'll do it. Give us a ring to let us know what the delays are like and what the plans are, please?

All our thoughts and love are with you.

~lucky

 

[minsue]

Fuck! What next?
Leave them alone, already!

Anyway, what all are you thinking you'll need to leave behind? Anything that V & I can handle? Please just let us know what we can do. We'll do it. Give us a ring to let us know what the delays are like and what the plans are, please?

All our thoughts and love are with you.

~lucky

Currently, our flight is only listed as about an hour delayed. Considering all we need to do, I was kinda hoping for a day delay....

The only things that will be thrown out suddenly so far is all toys still with us here. Not even trying to deal with those in security. We talked about mailing them, but our only ride is my mom and I don't wanna try to explain that one.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

FYI...

Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff Announcing a Change to the Nation’s Threat Level for the Aviation Sector

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
August 10, 2006

The Department of Homeland Security is taking immediate steps to increase security measures in the aviation sector in coordination with heightened security precautions in the United Kingdom. Over the last few hours, British authorities have arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. Currently, there is no indication, however, of plotting within the United States. We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted.

For that reason, the United States Government has raised the nation’s threat level to Severe, or Red, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for the United States. This adjustment reflects the Critical, or highest, alert level that has been implemented in the United Kingdom. To defend further against any remaining threat from this plot, we will also raise the threat level to High, or Orange, for all commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States. Consistent with these higher threat levels, the Transportation Security Administration is coordinating with federal partners, airport authorities and commercial airlines on expanding the intensity of existing security requirements. Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels, and lotions from being carried on the airplane. This determination will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. These changes will take effect at 4:00 AM local time across the country. Travelers should also anticipate additional security measures within the airport and at screening checkpoints.

These measures will continue to assure that our aviation system remains safe and secure. Travelers should go about their plans confidently, while maintaining vigilance in their surroundings and exercising patience with screening and security officials.

The United States and the United Kingdom are fully united and resolute in this effort and in our ongoing efforts to secure our respective homelands.

ETA: Also you will want to put any key fobs, those little remote control devices that lock and unlock your car, in your checked lugage as they will not be allowed with you on the airplane in your carry on.

====

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Currently, our flight is only listed as about an hour delayed. Considering all we need to do, I was kinda hoping for a day delay....

The only things that will be thrown out suddenly so far is all toys still with us here. Not even trying to deal with those in security. We talked about mailing them, but our only ride is my mom and I don't wanna try to explain that one.

Run by the post office and send them our way. We'll make sure they get where they need to. Just have 'em packed up securely and tell Mom it's something I left there two weeks ago.

You can't just abandon them, for God's sake!

 

[scheherazade_79]

Run by the post office and send them our way. We'll make sure they get where they need to. Just have 'em packed up securely and tell Mom it's something I left there two weeks ago.

You can't just abandon them, for God's sake!

* Giggling that sex toys have caused such a panic *

 

[Guest]

Vana's parents landed 4 hours ago and they're still goin through customs

 

[scheherazade_79]

The message on various Brit news stations is that the airports and the airlines are determined to keep as normal a service as possible running. It's really refreshing, actually. Just as you start thinking that the 'business as usual' stoicism was a thing of the past, it surfaces again.

There've been no angry scenes in the airports, despite the crazy volume of people who are stranded.

Even if it's delayed, I'm pretty certain your flight will leave tonight. If it doesn't, can you get a refund and try booking a flight to a regional UK airport? I'd be more than willing to pick you up from Cardiff, Bristol or Birmingham, if that helps.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Vana's parents landed 4 hours ago and they're still goin through customs

Better have coffee ready for them!!

 

[Guest]

Better have coffee ready for them!!

theyre goin straight to the hospital

 

[scheherazade_79]

Vana's parents landed 4 hours ago and they're still goin through customs

Shouldn't they be concentrating their resources a bit more on people who are about to get on a plane?

 

[Guest]

Shouldn't they be concentrating their resources a bit more on people who are about to get on a plane?

zactly