Bangkok situation

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28-Nov-2008, 07:13 AM
geriatrix

Hearing the news that BKK has been closed for about three days now, and loads of people are stranded, makes me feel bad for any non-revs stranded there.

I have "stood-by" out of BKK many times and it's usually a bit of a nightmare even when things are running normally. I'm talking now about the old Don Muang airport, but I doubt the new one is much different.

It's not a lot of good relying on checking booked figures out of BKK as in common with other tropical destinations the weather plays an important factor in the overall aircraft weight limit. Also with medium pax loads, the aircraft tends to get filled up with cargo. So sorry, weight limit, no standbys today!

Even if the airport reopens today or tomorrow, the poor standbys are gonna be way way back of the queue for getting out. Sincere good luck to them.
28-Nov-2008, 07:26 AM
Nick

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (geriatrix @ Nov 28 2008, 11:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Quote:

Hearing the news that BKK has been closed for about three days now, and loads of people are stranded, makes me feel bad for any non-revs stranded there.

I have "stood-by" out of BKK many times and it's usually a bit of a nightmare even when things are running normally. I'm talking now about the old Don Muang airport, but I doubt the new one is much different.

It's not a lot of good relying on checking booked figures out of BKK as in common with other tropical destinations the weather plays an important factor in the overall aircraft weight limit. Also with medium pax loads, the aircraft tends to get filled up with cargo. So sorry, weight limit, no standbys today!

Even if the airport reopens today or tomorrow, the poor standbys are gonna be way way back of the queue for getting out. Sincere good luck to them.[/b]

On that note, I read we and some other airlines are now operating a limited schedule out of Utapao Airport near Pattaya, about a two-hour drive from Bangkok. Priority is for operational crew, then CX ticket holders. Non CX ticket holders can pay a small fee and fly if space is available.

Interestingly enough there has been no embargo placed on ID travellers so it might be worth giving it a go, although one may have to pay the small fee.
28-Nov-2008, 12:13 PM
Jumper

I was wondering about things like this this morning -

What happens if you ARE stuck because of a situation like in BKK, or Worse, BOM? If you are working Non-Rev and are not going to get back for a few extra days (like post 9/11 when NO one was flying) what happens? Are you supposed to get home any way possible (or impossible?) or are there exceptions for extenuating circumstances?
28-Nov-2008, 01:27 PM
mrs767er

ok, Jumper--are you really Andy Rooney?? fess up...
29-Nov-2008, 03:11 AM
Nick

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumper @ Nov 29 2008, 04:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Quote:

I was wondering about things like this this morning -

What happens if you ARE stuck because of a situation like in BKK, or Worse, BOM? If you are working Non-Rev and are not going to get back for a few extra days (like post 9/11 when NO one was flying) what happens? Are you supposed to get home any way possible (or impossible?) or are there exceptions for extenuating circumstances?[/b]

I think there are exceptional circumstances! I know my boss would understand at least. So long as there were no travel advisories... things like this are very hard to predict.

If i was there i think i would high tail it to the other airport that is functioning and try my luck. You never know how many rev pax don't know about it, or are wading it out until BKK opens again. Anything is worth a shot...