When you travel are you prepared for an emergency?

[OhMari]

We're in Dallas and have no car so we only have access to two restaurants And a Whataburger!

Is there a possibility that your dh could leave and fly home from the U.S. to Asia, and fly to a southern European country and take a train home? So at least he could get back to work? My dd flew over Christmas to Japan. She met her college friends that teach in Asian countries. One of her friends left Japan, and flew to Europe. I don't know where. But it would be an expensive option, but it could maybe be done.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Here in the tri state area our news is showing people stranded at JFK- no money- nothing waiting to get back to Europe.

It got me to thinking. What the heck would we do? I pack my first aid kit for trips, we carry credit cards for emergencies- but really I can't imagine having spent a week in a city- spending all my money. And then being stranded. I feel for people that are concerned about their jobs. If they don't get back soon they are afraid they'll be out of a job.

I guess I'm just rambling. Really just feeling so bad for the people stuck at the airport.
Have you ever been stuck in an airport?

Got stuck at Schiphol airport for a day once. The airline put everyone in hotel rooms. Most people stayed in the hotel myself and a group of women on the same tour spent the day in Amsterdam (the visit to the sex museum was a hoot they had a mechanical flasher and victorian porn pictures with some very bored women in them imagine finding your great grandmother in one of these pictures )

 

[shortbun]

I travel with a lot of cash, always have. I have found that in emergencies, the guy with cash wins. I also carry all meds, a pair of clean underwear, a washcloth w/a tiny bar of soap as well as a sample of moisturizer and a toothbrush with a little bottle of mouthwash. Matter of fact, I have that stuff with me most every day. You just never know. I stash my cash in very good places and in many places so if I am robbed, I still have money.

 

[Imzadi]

One time during an incoming blizzard, my flight from NY to L.A. was delayed ON the runway for 7 hours. We were one of the last flights queued up to leave, IF we could just get off the ground! They de-iced us every 20 minutes for hours.

Our plane even had to return to the hanger after several hours to swap out the meals and re-stock on snacks, drinks (which we ate already,) & fuel. (This was when they actually fed meals for free and were afraid of spoilage.)

A normally 6 hour trip turned into 13 hours. I'm hypoglycemic/pre-diabetic, so I HAVE to eat every few hours. From that, I learned to pack enough food for a couple days to bring with me.

As for traveling past Chicago, I purposely never take connecting flights in the winter that stop at O'Hare. That region of the country gets such blustery weather in the winter, I don't want my connecting flight to get snowed in.

I was also planning on attending a seminar a few weeks ago, until I found out it was in the sticks in Michigan. I thought, "Who voluntarily plans a seminar in March in MI?" This woman travels all over and has seminars any time of the year she decides. She picks MI in snowy March. I thought, no way was I going to chance being snowed in and stuck in the sticks of MI. Sure enough, it was raining heavily on what would have been the travel day out & it caused delays. Glad I passed on that trip.

(No disrespect to either city/state mentioned. It's a weather thing. I'm perfectly fine going to either place in great weather. )

Beyond that, I bring 2 different credit cards and enough cash for a couple days.

 

[MiniGirl]

I guess my situation is rather different:

I was on the Greek Cruise Ship that hit volcanic rock, killed 2 passengers, and sank in the middle of the Aegean Sea. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/06/world/main2655363.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_2655363) We were on board and lost everything. All our luggage, our passports, digital cameras, clothes, medication, purses, money, you name it and it was gone.

We had no time to grab anything. In addition, we were on the 2nd floor (bottom floor) of the ship and we were afraid that the water tight doors were going to close.

From this traumatic experience I've learned a couple of invaluable things:
1. ALWAYS make copies of your passport when you're traveling overseas. Leave one copy at home with friends/family, bring one copy with you and keep it on you at all times, and send a copy to your destination.

2. While you might not always have the option (like us) to grab things before you go, bring extra medication.

3. Always pack 2 days clothes and necessities in your carry-on (obviously I didn't learn this one from the ship).

4. Always bring 2 credit cards and more than you anticipate bringing.

I hope these people can get home soon. It truly is miserable to be stranded somewhere.

How frightening this must've been?!?!

I wanted to highlight this part of your post though because it is so important. We have family that has copies of our passports driver's license, and cc numbers. Yes, we trust them implicitly. If anything were to happen to our actual items or the copies we keep with us, that info is just a phone call away.

In addition to things already mentioned, I will suggest keeping a small bag next to the door in your hotel room filled with all your essentials -- IDs, meds, etc. I have been in 2 hotel fires and now do this. It is there, so I can grab and go. No, searching the top of the tv cabinet or where people leave these things. Because in that moment, I didn't think to grab my passport, etc. Now, it is all right there by the door.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

I really feel for all those stranded people! My parents are visiting from England right now, and they're supposed to be flying home on tuesday - not looking good though.

They're lucky in that they're staying with us in our house, so obviously they can stay longer for free and not have to worry about hotels, food etc. My mom doesn't work so she doesn't have to worry about a job, but my dad owns a law firm and is getting worried about being back. He's supposed to be in court on thursday and it'll be a big problem if he can't be there.

If we were stranded, our jobs would be a huge problem, plus we'd be worried about the house and pets. This has really made me think about being prepared for emergencies.

 

[ahutton]

We usually camp. I do have credit cards and the SUV is chock full of food and vittles (canned and packaged) in case we run out of gas in a full blown blizzard or some such crazy scenario....lmao! We also keep jackets and extra clothes in the vehicle so, yeah, I'm prepared.

I have a funny side story on this line of thinking. We went camping last summer, we tent camp. We pack the food in the SUV overnight due to animals. Everything had been put away when DH got a work call, and got into the truck to make notes. He ended up locking the keys in the truck. We had breakfast through the kindness and grace of the people monitoring the campsight who gave us a box of cereal and milk to feed the kids until we could get a locksmith to come up from the town a few hours away. Ug. Best laid plans, right?

 

[Minnie]

A few years ago on my first trip ever outside the US a colleague gave me very important advise that I will never forget - passport on your person at all times

I've always thought hotel room safes fairly secure but what happens in case of an emergency at the hotel or a natural disaster were his points. Or just imagine a lost purse

Domestic travel I always carry cash, debit, and credit cards. Just in case I want to have every possibility of providing what my family needs

I read threads about planning trips down to the nickle and I've always worried about the what ifs that can occur with travel.... Emergency funds are a must IMO - at home and with traveling!

 

[Kath2003]

Is there a possibility that your dh could leave and fly home from the U.S. to Asia, and fly to a southern European country and take a train home? So at least he could get back to work? My dd flew over Christmas to Japan. She met her college friends that teach in Asian countries. One of her friends left Japan, and flew to Europe. I don't know where. But it would be an expensive option, but it could maybe be done.

That would take days. Europe's a disaster, there are people sleeping in airports. Rental cars are all sold out, ferries aren't even taking walking passengers, trains are booked up for weeks. We're looking at other options within the USA right now; looks like we have to go to Chicago tomorrow.

 

[Minnie]

That would take days. Europe's a disaster, there are people sleeping in airports. Rental cars are all sold out, ferries aren't even taking walking passengers, trains are booked up for weeks. We're looking at other options within the USA right now; looks like we have to go to Chicago tomorrow.

Hoping that you arrive safely home soon

I could have been in your shoes a couple months ago for a work trip to Europe - I can't imagine how tough it must be

 

[eliza61]

That would take days. Europe's a disaster, there are people sleeping in airports. Rental cars are all sold out, ferries aren't even taking walking passengers, trains are booked up for weeks. We're looking at other options within the USA right now; looks like we have to go to Chicago tomorrow.

Ok, I'll be the dissenting voice.

Stranded in Haiti with no running water, no food and no medical care=disaster.

Stranded in a major European airport with tasty food, water, safe environment, communications in tack and stuff to entertain you= Inconvience and expensive at best.

This too will pass people.

 

[hereyago]

Ok, I'll be the dissenting voice.

Stranded in Haiti with no running water, no food and no medical care=disaster.

Stranded in a major European airport with tasty food, water, safe environment, communications in tack and stuff to entertain you= Inconvience and expensive at best.

This too will pass people.

some of the tourists will run out of money and I dont think the airport is going to feed them for free, they may run out of crucial medications as they thought they would be home all ready. It may be an inconvience for a small amount of time, however, if a epilieptic or heart patient doesn't have their meds, or people are out of money with their kids.

 

[eliza61]

some of the tourists will run out of money and I dont think the airport is going to feed them for free, they may run out of crucial medications as they thought they would be home all ready. It may be an inconvience for a small amount of time, however, if a epilieptic or heart patient doesn't have their meds, or people are out of money with their kids.

Airports are feeding people. JFK has set up cots for stranded tourist and handed out sandwiches, coffee and water. Is it fine dining? No, will anyone starve? No.
Red cross is at almost every one of those airports, any one with a heart condition and or epiliepsy or any medical condition has a number of world class medical facilities (yes they do have them in Europe) at their disposal. Last time I was in Heathrow they had a very fine emergency department available to handle every thing from terrorist attacks to medical emergencies. The cities of London, Paris and Frankfurt are not shut down they are still carrying on as normal. Communications (i.e cell phones, computers) are still fully operational. banks are still open and doing wire transfers and credit card companies are in full swing with 24 hour phone lines.

They are not stranded on the top of Mt. Kilimanjario. I'm not saying it's not inconvient and costly but it's definitely not Haiti or Afganhastan.

 

[Minnie]

Ok, I'll be the dissenting voice.

Stranded in Haiti with no running water, no food and no medical care=disaster.

Stranded in a major European airport with tasty food, water, safe environment, communications in tack and stuff to entertain you= Inconvience and expensive at best.

This too will pass people.

The poster you quoted is stuck in an airport trying to get home. Worried about all the extra days away... house, pets, jobs, ect. Show some compassion for goodness sakes

I have two friends that are stuck in two different countries due to this - hoping they will get home in a few days is the latest update

Why does one have to be in a horrible position rather than a difficult position to be shown concern or compassion?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Why does one have to be in a horrible position rather than a difficult position to be shown concern or compassion?

B/c "it could be worse" is the mantra of the DIS.

I'm sure the poster by no means compares their situation to Haiti--but it was only a matter of time before someone had to point out that in reality it isn't technically a "disaster".

 

[eliza61]

The poster you quoted is stuck in an airport trying to get home. Worried about all the extra days away... house, pets, jobs, ect. Show some compassion for goodness sakes

I have two friends that are stuck in two different countries due to this - hoping they will get home in a few days is the latest update

Why does one have to be in a horrible position rather than a difficult position to be shown concern or compassion?

I have said a number of times that the situation stinks and wished the poster well. I was refering to the poster and news article that called it a "Crisis" or a disasters.

Sorry, as frustrating as the situation is (and I have been stuck on a cruise ship to nowhere in the middle of a hurricane) I still don't think it's a "crisis"

 

[Kath2003]

Ok, I'll be the dissenting voice.

Stranded in Haiti with no running water, no food and no medical care=disaster.

Stranded in a major European airport with tasty food, water, safe environment, communications in tack and stuff to entertain you= Inconvience and expensive at best.

This too will pass people.

I'm not IN Europe. I've been stuck in the USA since my flight home was cancelled on Thursday lunchtime. We are fortunate to be here - my post about Europe was stating why I'm prepared to hold out here rather than be there. I get it's not a disaster: that doesn't stop it being stressful and expensive for those of us who are stuck thousands of miles from home.

"Europe is a disaster" is true - it's in total shutdown. ALL means of transport are virtually inaccessible to everyone. Imagine you're stuck in some US city, with no access to a car, to public transport, to any flights out of there - with hundreds of thousands of others - it's a transportation nightmare and come Monday, economies everywhere will come grinding to a halt because of this. Airlines will go bust; thousands of people won't make it to work including teachers (are there enough left to keep schools open?), healthcare professionals and many more. In the developed world, this is what constitutes a disaster.

The poster you quoted is stuck in an airport trying to get home. Worried about all the extra days away... house, pets, jobs, ect. Show some compassion for goodness sakes

I have two friends that are stuck in two different countries due to this - hoping they will get home in a few days is the latest update

Why does one have to be in a horrible position rather than a difficult position to be shown concern or compassion?

Thank you. We do have perspective. We know we are lucky. We are still as worried about our home, our pets, our jobs, our spending as anyone in our situation would be, however.

They are anticipating that food supplies will run low in Europe in the next few days as it'll take much longer to ship produce than it will to fly it in. This will also have serious economic impact for developing countries who rely on exports to Europe.

 

[C.Ann]

Yes - I would be prepared, but I would go nuts if there were no hotel rooms available!

I feel so bad for all of those folks who are stranded.. It's beginning to look like a never ending situation..

Having said that though, I would rather be safe on the ground - than chance being up in the air, ash or something else getting in the engines, and crashing somewhere..

 

[minkydog]

Sorry, as frustrating as the situation is (and I have been stuck on a cruise ship to nowhere in the middle of a hurricane) I still don't think it's a "crisis"

I think it *is* a crisis for the people who are going through it. Sure it can always be worse--but it could be better too. Crisis is in the eye of the beholder. If I were stuck in a Paris airport for a week with my kids, it would be a complete disaster! The thought of trying to keep Christian safe, entertained, clean, dry, and fed--oy! That would not be pretty. And not only are travelers affected, but millions of businesses are losing money because many of their distribution lines have been grounded.

My cousin and her young children flew in from London last week for her mother's funeral in PA. She was planning to go back this week but it's not looking good for another week. Thankfully, she has two siblings who live in PA & NJ that she can bunk with. But in the meantime, her kids can't go to school and they are living out of small suitcases. To her, this definitely feels like a crisis.

 

[NotUrsula]

1. ALWAYS make copies of your passport when you're traveling overseas. Leave one copy at home with friends/family, bring one copy with you and keep it on you at all times, and send a copy to your destination.

For many years now, I have also had copies of my entire family's passports on file with the HR office at work; they are in my personnel file. If something happens they can send them anywhere I need to have them sent, and I know that there will always be someone there on a weekday to be able to do it for me. They also are familiar with dealing with the INS, so they know how to make sure that the correct documents go through official channels. I know that not every employer is willing to do this, but the past four places I've worked have been fine with being an emergency backup.