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It's quite apparent that my dear father is slipping away from us. It could be weeks, it could be months. He lives in England, I live in Utah.

Not wishing to be stingy, but wishing to be prudent, I'm trying to work out what the best way to plan a flight "on contingency" is. It was stupidly expensive last time I had to drop everything and run over at a couple of days notice.

Any thoughts or ideas on what I can do?

While it has been more than 20 years since I've involved with this, but the American Red Cross use to have a way of getting short notice airline tickets at less than full price for service members that had family emergencies. I would check with your nearest chapter of the American Red Cross. If they can't do it, they could give you some pointers.

i would contact the airline(s) and ask what their bereavement policy is

I went through this with my dad recently, many airlines have a 24hr cancellation policy (no penalty, post booking), so you can keep booking, cancelling and rebooking. Afaik the berevement fares are only available for bookings AFTER the individuals death, and the paperwork must get to the airline beforehand. It was not possible in my situation.

USED to be, you would see adverts in the travel section of the newspaper (that's how old I'm talking) that had "$200 to Ireland!" advertised. The kicker was, you had to go at THEIR time on their day. If such a thing still exists, you might contact one of those companies and see if you can be put on a list to pick up one of those cheap tix. Whether you went on Wednesday or Thursday wouldn't matter too much to you, right?

(Of course, in this age of digitalization of everything, such wholesalers may no longer exist. I don't know.)

It seems like events may be overtaking me anyway, I'm afraid, as I just got of the phone with my stepmom. He's really very sick again, it's not looking promising, he may or may not make it through the next few days.

Can't travel anywhere until I get rid of the stomach virus or whatever the hell it is that I have contracted this week. Off to the doctor for me this morning.

Definitely call the airline. There was an article in Sunday's travel section about a traveller and United's bereavement policy. bottom line is airlines don't have bereavement/emergency fares. You get stuck with the full fare.

Prayers and white light sent to you and your family during this difficult time.

I'm sorry about your tough situation.

You may want to try giving Lufthansa a call. 1-800-645-3880 is their number, and though it was several years ago, their bereavement fare made it much more affordable for me to go over and support the family when I had a family member pass in England.

I am so sorry to hear about your father.

FWIW, I ran some dates through hotwire.com and the low fare was $963 for arbitrary dates of 4/1 returning 4/6, SLC to Heathrow.

I have spent the afternoon in the hospital here having a CT scan for suspected appendicitis. Really. Can things get any more screwed up?

I think everyone is over-reacting and it's a stomach bug. Or stress (ya think?) Waiting to hear the results.

I'm supposed to be moving my horse on Friday, too.

That's a pretty good price, Canyon.

Oh, no. Not fair to have this all pile up on you. Wishing you strength and peace.

I hope you're ok Moutaineer
I had suspected appendicitis a year ago... turns out it was Colitis instead!
Spent 8 days in hospital and couldn't eat for 7 of those, it was horrible. It presented as similar symptoms to appendicitis/ bad stomach bug but once they did an ultrasound of my colon they discovered the colon walls were 16mm thick and they should have been about 5mm or something :/ Luckily mine was caused from food poisoning and wasn't ulcerative Colitis.
Massive amounts of strength and healing to both you and your dad xx

Well no call back from the doc this evening so I guess I'm right and it wasn't appendicitis. We shall see what tomorrow brings.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Mountaineer and family (and appendix)}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Sending you jingles, for the stress, the tummy and your horse move. and anything you need

Aw, jingles jingles jingles for you. That's a handful of rotten luck, to be topped off with a rushed, multi-hour flight in a sardine can. Have strength.

it's a very unpleasant virus Moutaineer. Been going around since January. First you get a "cold", then a stomach thing, then a waxing/waning fever lasting up to 10 days, then a wicked sore throat followed by bronchitis. The fever gives such a bad headache that I took my very tough friend to the er twice to make sure she wasn't having a stroke! All anyone around here can say is that it is it's some kind of viral thing.

My prayers go out to you and your dad. I hope you hurry up and get healthy enough to travel. (((((HUGS))))

My dear father died this morning, peacefully and in kind hands.

No matter how prepared for it you are, it still comes as a blow.

I am so sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. He knew he was loved.

Mountaineer I am sorry for your loss.

awww so sorry to hear of your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Mountaineer,
So sorry for your loss.

Yes, its a blow. Hugs and jingles to you and your family.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

(((Mountaineer)))

I'm so sorry for your loss

So sorry, (((Mountaineer)))

Sorry for your loss Mountaineer

(((((((Mountaineer)))))))

more hugs ((((moutaineer)))

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs to you and your family.

I am so sorry

Very sorry for your loss, hugs to you and your family.

I am so sorry for the loss of your dear father.

Jingles and cyber hugs for all who loved him.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{Mountaineer}}}}}}}}}}}}} I am so sorry.

So sorry for your loss Mountaineer!

So sorry for your loss Moutaineer, but glad that his passing was in peace.

((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))

I am so sorry. It is a loss like no other. Many hugs for you and your family.

fergusnc wrote:I am so sorry. It is a loss like no other. Many hugs for you and your family.

I totally agree. And even though the passings of my parents were not sudden, unexpected events, I still was not "prepared" for their actual deaths. My head knew they were in a better place, but my heart was not agreeing with that logic.

Hugs to you and yours.

I'm so sorry. Hugs. I lost my father quite suddenly in Nov, feel free to pm me if you want to chat.

Thank you, all of you. I was with my mother when she died, and whilst that was very hard, I was glad that I had that time with her. This is doubly hard being so far away. I know he was ready to go, though, and he had been very clear about not being forced to live beyond his time.

((((M))))))

I'm so sorry for your loss and that being there in person before his departure wasn't in the cards.

And I'm relieved that you are not in the hospital! What a week. Take good care of yourself and know that horsey people around the world have you in their thoughts.

I'm sorry, Mountaineer.

I'm so sorry. And no, even though you know it's coming, you are never ready for it. Sending you a huge hug and lots of love. Peace to you and your family.

I'm so sorry.

My deepest heartfelt sympathies, Moutaineer.

Sorry for your loss.