A request for assistance

[unixronin]

As previously mentioned, my grandmother Harris in Devonshire is dying.  She has three great-grandchildren here who she's never met, and we've been flat broke for the last two years (for those who don't know, I got laid off in 2001 and haven't been able to find a new job since).

cymrullewes and I have a request (cymrullewes' idea).  I don't like asking for favors I don't know when I'll be able to pay back, but ... this is my last surviving grandparent, and I didn't manage to get back to England when my grandfather died about six or seven years ago.  We'd like to ask all of our online friends if you have any frequent-flyer miles you can spare to the cause of getting the five of us -- myself, cymrullewes, and the three girls -- to Devonshire in time to at least say goodbye.

I can make no promises as to when we'd be able to repay anyone.  We've been thinking for the past three years that a job's got to come along Any Time Now, and it hasn't.  (Part of this is probably that I doubt I could jobhunt my way out of a wet paper bag.)  But if any of you can spare any miles you don't expect to use, it'd be hugely appreciated, and we will repay what we can, when we can.

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Update 2004-10-16 17:22:

Our current "best fare" is a $366/seat flight from JFK to LHR Tuesday evening on Kuwait Airways, arriving Wednesday morning and returning Oct 30.  (Thanks go to novel_tharkun for finding it.)  We have an offer from ehintz for America West air-miles to get us from here (well, from RDU) to and from JFK.  We still have to figure out passport issues; I have an EU passport, but cymrullewes doesn't have one at all.  I should be able to get her an EU passport on the strength of mine plus our marriage certificate, but same-day emergency service from the British consulate is $180 plus regular passport fees.  Most or all of the girls could probably travel without passports in a family-emergency situation.

I still don't know whether this is feasible or not.  cymrullewes is more positive about it than I am.  I think I am inspired to pessimism by the repeated setbacks and failures of the past five years.

Comments

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

Miles on who? And do they let you buy?

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

We don't know yet. We're still looking at logistics and trying to figure it out. I think we're going to be Sierra October Lima, because so far the cheapest fare we've managed to find is $602 per seat flying on Tuesday.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

We also just got the data on emergency passport service, and it's $180 per passport for same-day service or $140 per passport for "1-3 business days". This is starting to look pretty infeasible ... it's just too much cost on this short notice.

[ehintz.livejournal.com]

We neglected to register for 'em with Quantas when coming over, because of all the excitement of moving and whatnot. Which sucks because it was 3 seats at 12k miles. But I think we've got about 40k combined between the 3 of us on America West. Dunno if that does you any good, but if you think it will let me know and I'll make sure the wife won't kill me for giving 'em out. ;-)

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

The offer is much appreciated. I don't think America West flies to the UK, but they probably fly between RDU and JFK, and our "best known fare" is now a $366/seat flight from JFK to LHR on Kuwait Airlines Tuesday evening, returning Oct 30.
We still don't know if it's doable yet, but we'll keep you posted.

[ehintz.livejournal.com]

I looked at their site, they do partner w/Virgin & BA. But those #'s won't get you much on a hop over the pond; I'd agree they'd be better used on a hop to a cheap departure. Should be able to get 2 tix out of 40k miles I think.

[omahas.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I don't have too much either. Just some miles on Alaska Airlines and some on Delta airlines. If either of these airlines turn out to be ones that might help out, I'll gladly donate what I have...especially the Delta, since I don't expect ever to use them. Won't have to pay me back, either. :)

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I want you to know that I hugely appreciate the offer of help, especially when we've never even met. But .... the picture that's emerging seems to be that it's just too late. The news was delayed by three days while my aunt decided what to say, and that three days has turned out to have closed the window of opportunity. So I'm calling the effort off.

Please see the full details here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/unixronin/137921.html), to avoid repeating myself, and thank you very, very much for your support. It means a great deal to me.

[beckyzoole.livejournal.com]

If you'll set up a PayPal account, I'd love to contribute something -- I can only give about $50 right now, but that $50 is yours if I can get it to you. I have been blessed recently with a decent job, after two years of unemployment. The last time I was flat broke and had an emergency, bbwoof generously helped me and said "Don't pay me back. Help someone else when you can." Please let me pay him back partially by sending this to you now.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I want you to know that I hugely appreciate the offer of help, especially when we've never even met. But .... the picture that's emerging seems to be that it's just too late. The news was delayed by three days while my aunt decided what to say, and that three days has turned out to have closed the window of opportunity. So I'm calling the effort off.

Please see the full details here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/unixronin/137921.html), to avoid repeating myself, and thank you very, very much for your support. It means a great deal to me.