The storms heading for Florida

[expatscot]

Hi Murray Family!

How are you feeling about all this, a bit nervous I guess like us. Maybe if we have to hang around Gatwick we will meet up!! Anyway back to packing for the meantime. When do you set off for Gatwick?

 

[themurrayfamily]

Hi expatscot,

We're leaving for Gatwick in 2 hours, once I do the on-line check in just doubled checked everything again and looks like we're all ready, we're stopping at the Hilton tonight, so I guess our holiday starts now , when do you go down yourself?

Regards

themurrayfamily

 

[currycook]

It is looking worse than expected. Up to Cat 4. Even Orlando will get hit now. This will not be a fun one to ride out as I live in South West Florida near where it will hit.

 

[disneyholic family]

i doubt the people posting here got out of gatwick...

 

[Red-Snapper]

Anyone know the latest on flights?

virgin is showing on one page flights due to go yesterday - not going until tomorrow but then on takeoffs etc all todays flights are shown as normal.

I dont see how that info can be both right unless they have magically found another 3 aircraft from somewhere.

Anyone know how they sort these things out ?

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
This is the latest news on Virgin Atlantic's site:

Flights to Florida 14 & 15 August 2004

Due to the weather conditions in Florida a number of our flights in and out of Orlando airport have been delayed. Orlando airport has been damaged by Hurricane Charley. Some equipment in the terminal building has been affected by leaking water and debris, and the electricity supply has also been interrupted. The airport is expected to re-open at 14:00H local time on Saturday 14 August. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused to our customers.
The following information gives details and revised schedules for the affected flights. All times are local

VS015 from Gatwick to Orlando, originally scheduled 12:30H, 14 August, is currently awaiting confirmation on a new schedule.
VS049 from Gatwick to Orlando, originally scheduled 13:00H, 14 August, has been rescheduled as VS049, 16 August, departing Gatwick at 10:30H and arriving Orlando at 14:40H.
VS016 from Orlando to Gatwick, originally scheduled 20:25H, 13 August, has been rescheduled as VS016, 14 August, departing Orlando at 17:00H and arriving Gatwick at 06:05H, 15 August.
VS050 from Orlando to Gatwick, originally scheduled 21:10H, 13 August, has been rescheduled as VS050, 14 August, departing Orlando at 14:00H and arriving Gatwick at 06:05H, 15 August.
VS016 from Orlando to Gatwick, originally scheduled 20:25H, 14 August, is currently awaiting confirmation on a new schedule.
VS050 from Orlando to Gatwick, originally scheduled 21:10H, 14 August, has been rescheduled as VS050, 16 August, departing Orlando at 14:00H and arriving Gatwick at 06:00H, 17 August.
Passengers departing from Orlando should check in at least 3 hours prior to departure.
Passengers departing from Gatwick should check in 4 hours prior to departure.

MORE INFORMATION RELATING TO THE FLIGHT TIMINGS YET TO BE CONFIRMED WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THIS WEBSITE AND VIA OUR UK AND US RESERVATIONS CENTRES AFTER 13:00H UK time/ 08:00H EST on SUNDAY 15 AUGUST 2004

Mick.

 

[wendym]

I am just back from MCO. I was on the Disney Magic and we were lucky the Captain avoided the Hurricane - we didn't get back to port until late and couldn't get off until 11.30am. The devastation up to MCO was awful - trees down everywhere and hotels have lost lots of tiles. People are without power and checkin took 3 hours. Not many of the food concessions were working at the airport and many people had found it difficult to get meals on their way to the airport. Getting petrol was almost impossible but seemingly the rental companies still charged for not returning the cars full - one family told us they were charged $50.
Thank goodness we were booked on the sat BA flight as Friday's people were still on standby - they were not put up at hotels or offered compensation or meal vouchers. Not all of them got on our flight - they could be there until Tuesday. I really feel for the locals and very few people bothered to ask how they and their families were coping. My heart goes out to them.
Wendy

 

[Miffy2003]

That must have been awful Wendy

Glad you made it back safe and sound.

 

[wendym]

We had it easy and avoided the worst of it but am glad to be home! I just felt so bad for those who were due to fly out on friday - I felt BA could have done more for them and if they had asked us we would have given up our seats. To see families sleeping inthe airport is not nice but at least it was better than the poor people in Punta Gorda.
Wendy

 

[currycook]

I hope those from the UK that were flying in got in. THe Orlando airport was damaged and I hope they did make it without too much of a hassle. The storm turned out to be much worse than expected. Turned into a Cat 4. I just missed it but was still out of power for a good day. This is a rare storm that makes it to Orlando with the force that it had.

 

[cool chris]

Thanks currycook,

the updates have been great, we hope you and your loved ones are all ok and safe and that you dont have to much damage to your property.

please keep us all informed of the clear up as a lot of us brits are still to come over in the next few weeks.

regards

chris