My husband asked about compensation for me while I was in London. CO cancelled my Wednesday flight and rescheduled it for Tuesday. A flight did go out Wednesday with a different number and I am assuming, people who were stranded longer. But when my husband asked what we were supposed to do for 6 extra nights of hotel, food, etc., while I would've been stranded, and what CO would do about it, he got the answer- nothing.

Had I been stranded for the extra 6 days, I do think that SOME sort of help could've been provided, even if it was only a percentage off hotel rooms. I think the hotels could've stepped up, too, and between the two, something could've been done. That is MY opinion. This was an unprecedented event and who knows how things could've been done differently if they'd been prepared. Now we know what can happen, and I hope the airlines, the governments and the travel industry have learned from it.

Luckily, I actually got through to the CO line on Wednesday afternoon after checking the website and seeing a flight leaving Thursday with open seats. I actually cried when the CO rep asked me if I wanted to go home before Tuesday. (I guess he didn't know that it was a rescheduled flight?) I had been ready to take a train to Birmingham, England and fly to Newark from there, rather than wait to fly from LHR Tuesday.

My husband had called CO (as I couldn't get through for DAYS from the UK) and put me through on a conference call to originally see what could be done. I was not asking for anything but a flight home b/c the feeling of being trapped, whether it is a day or a week is scary. But when we were told I had to wait until Tuesday or take a train to another city, my husband was not shy about asking if CO was going to help with train fare or hotel costs, or if they were offering anything. The answer was no. And this was once airspace was open.

I'm lucky in that I knew to check the website and did finally get through on my own to a kind agent who gave me one of two seats showing open on Thursday's flight. But once aboard the plane, I was shocked to see so many open BF seats. I had 2 BF seats to myself, as did many people in BF. Economy was, I'm told, full.

I would've loved to have some of my hotel paid for and definitely would love to be reimbursed for the time I spent on hold with CO over a 4 day period. I'm dreading my cell phone bill like the plague. But as the agent told my husband as I listened, "We're not responsible for that." And I don't think they are, legally. If it'd been a European airline, there would've been legal precedent. In this case, I'm just glad I'm only out the 1 night and cell phone charges. If I'd had to stay until Tuesday, I don't know where I would've found the money.

But good luck either way, it doesn't mean that you won't get a better answer. Asking doesn't hurt. The worst they can say is no.