So they're sending in the Navy.

[Sidge]

Maybe I'm just rather cycnical but I don't really see why they're sending the Navy ships in to help at this stage.

It looks like flying will start again tomorrow, and warships aren't exactly cross channel ferries or cruise ships when it comes to accommodating hundreds of civilians with their luggage.

Another way for the Government to attempt to score some Brown-ie points (geddit? ) by looking as if they're doing something to relieve the crisis when they're not actually doing much at all, and what they are doing is too little too late?

Not that I'm too sure what they should be doing; is it a Government's responsibility to get people back home to the UK, or should it be up to the airlines and travel industry?

granny - given the shortages our forces have to put up with - a rescue mission to recover a mere three rifles would not be beyond the realms of all possibility!

herbietea Ferries out of Nthern Spain - 1000 people turned up without tickets over the weekend . Plus there are fewer ferries going from there and more people making the way up from Southern Spain.
Another problem is the train system in another 'hub' area Rome . There are no seats showing available until the 25th up to Milan and then again very few spaces from Milan either up to Switzerland or up to Paris.
I think that 'somebody' should look at organsing repatriation for stranded people ( In Europe) say using the planes and crew that are also stranded. Even doing a shuttle service to Madrid or Rome and then there should be coaches provided to take people up to a ferry. Yes it will be at a cost but I am sure that insurance or government or even people themselves would pay to get themselves out ( rather than having to keep paying out accom and food costs). Think of people stuck on Greek Islands, Turkey,Cyprus, where getting out is not as easy- Can't see Gordy sending the Navy down there.
Just heard that some footy players will win 1mil for some big match ....My thoughts say where that 1 mil could go to far better use!

How are local people getting from Rome to Milan? Are there no slow trains/buses? Or are people only looking at the direct intercity links?

I've been "stuck" in Turkey (istanbul) - it's not impossible to get home, although it was difficult given that there was at that time a civil war going on in Yugoslavia.

Err, the RN are in Cyprus - some of them work there!

The plan was originally to get the servicemen on R&R from Cyprus, but flying them to Santander was easier as Albion was already in the area.

They are also taking 200 people classed as vulnerable (schoolkids, pregnant women) etc on Albion to get them home, as well as the 400 Riflemen (not just 3!)

There are trains but the main ( fast) ones it is seating only . Hence they are booked up lots by commuters who can't take the planes. There are slower trains or as I have suggested to other people go up the coast route - slower but space. There was a post on this thread about buses being co ordinated by by the British COnsulate at Euro 280 a pop up to Calais I think it was.
Are there any ferries to Patras as you could to ferry to Ancona or Bari and then come up from there?

I don't have all that much sympathy for people in europe as there are ways to get home which might involve some inconvenience but given that no-one knows how long this is going to go on for sometimes that's just a price you have to pay. Having said that, I read yesterday that hire car companies etc are hiking up their prices, and a car that previously might have cost £100 is now costing over £1000.

Personally I think some people just like the victim status and to tell the harrowing tale of how they were stuck in parris for weeks on end.

If you're further afield then obviously it's not that simple, although I'm secretly a bit that we flew home from dubai on Tuesday - I could have suffered a couple of extra weeks there without too much complaint.

On the one hand I agree that the government aren't responsible, but on the other there is currently no let-up in sight, and the economy will eventually begin to suffer. Also, most employers have told staff to either take unpaid leave or use up the remainder of their holiday entitlement (if they have any left), so people are paying out money that they have no guarantee of getting back, while at the same time not being paid back home. You can't go on like that indefinitely.

And the longer this goes on, the less likely it is that insurance companies will pay out. Some will, but most won't.

Quite rightly logical arrangements were made within the military to get troops back to the UK. Why cannot the same arrangements be made to help civilians?
Using civilian planes, ferries, cruise ships whatever.
If the civilians are unable to organise this maybe they should hand it over to the military to co ordinate - people might get home !

wannabee I think part of the problem with the car hire is that of course people will not be returning them to the depo from whence they came - which in the history of car-rental worldwide has always been hideously expensive.

I see the slagging of the RN has already commenced - not enough deckchairs.

Dangle 'em off the flight deck then!

By wasabipeanut Tue 20-Apr-10 11:33:27
'Is it really the role of government to rescue stranded holidaymakers? I'm really not convinced. If I were stuck somewhere I'd be upset, frustrated etc but I wouldn't automatically expect the govt to bail me out.

It's this sort of thing that makes me wonder if David Cameron has a point.'

But see this from the Guardian:

'The Conservative leader, David Cameron, said: "I think it is right to get the Royal Navy involved. Theresa Villiers, my transport spokeswoman, suggested it and I am delighted the government have taken up the suggestion."'

Get ready for some keelhauling as GB and the navy take a lashing for not taking everyone home from Spain.

I find it funny that they all dashed to Santander because GB said they were sending the HMS Albion, even though it clearly said in the DM article (map further down) that the Albion was going to pick up the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, and "may take some civilians if necessary"

READ THINK then TRAVEL

Think? Think? You can't just go around expecting people to think MmeLindt - where will it all end?

Yes, but people only do read and travel. Thinking is beyond them.

I was enjoying the prospect of suggesting to DS (coming back from the Alps this weekend) that he might have to do his own keel hauling/climbing up the mizzen mast /be press ganged into the Navy if he got to Calais and was unable to get on a proper ferry. Unfortunately, it seems that there will be no real problems with foot passengers on the normal ferries.

Touché Princessfiorimunde

My fingers are crossed for him too, but he doesn't think he'll get it.

LL, DH is on the Ark. It's all gone quiet again today and I haven't heard from him so I am guessing the mercy dash wasn't quite that urgent!