My customer’s were on one of the first flights which was stopped from leaving New York. They were actually sitting on the aircraft ready to take off when they were asked to leave the plane.

They were rescheduled for the 17th back to Manchester. The airline managed to get them as far as Lisbon. I was really anxious as I couldn’t contact the customers, the mobile number I had, they didn’t have with them. The customers emailed me giving me another mobile number and I called them. They had found a small hotel in Lisbon and were booked in there. I tried to get them on ferries at Santander but to no avail. I was trying to avoid taking them into France as I knew Calais was on a first come first served basis.

They eventually managed to get a coach from Lisbon to Paris and I managed to book them from Caen to Portsmouth. Whilst talking to the customers they asked if I could help another 2 ladies that had overheard them talking to ’their agent’. I managed to get them a reservation on the Caen-Portsmouth ferry at the same time and kept in regular contact during the 24 hour road trip. They were booked on 21st April ferry at 16.30. However when they arrived in Paris on 20th I had managed to get them on the night ferry that evening. They were thrilled. It meant all 6 passengers could have a good nights sleep during the overnight sailing.

I then booked them the National bus from Portsmouth to home. The 2 ladies advised that they would like to use me for their travel plans, but they wanted to know the costs first because they didn’t know if they could afford me…… ha ha ha. I assured them that I’m no more expensive than other travel agents (even though I am worth my weight in gold…just joking!). My customers are now safely home, I sent them welcome home cards and a birthday card for their Dad who was 60 while they were away and I have sent a thank you card to my NEW customers…….who are thrilled to know they can afford me. ha ha ha ha……

A difficult time but so rewarding when you can pull things together.

Rita Hunter, Travel Agent Liverpool