WORLD, dont rip us off!!!

Reports are coming in that Brits (and other stranded nationals) are being 'ripped off' by international overseas people out to take advantage and make a 'quick buck'.

The Icelandic volcanic cloud that has grounded flights in europe has meant that many people who have taken easter school holidays abroad have been stranded with no firm date of return. Many are trying to get home traveling overland by public transport rail or car hire. However I've just heard that a party of British schoolchildren on a weeks holiday in India were 'thrown' out of an hotel because they had outstayed their week. A french couple staying there were threatend with arrest when they were coaght taking bread out to feed the children. The hotel had held onto there passports so they couldnt leave.

It's just been anounced that the Royal Navy is being mobilised to try and pick up someof the 150,000 stranded british travelers.   Can I through our POE website appeal to anyone abroad that can offer help to stranded passengers to please do so at minimal cost?  thank you POE members

Theres a chance there may be flights tommorrow, our North west airports  (Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool) have been given the go-ahead to open tommorrow. 3 british aircraft carriers have been deployed to help bring home stranded travelers.

some are saying that the Air traffic controllers have over reacted by closing down the skies, but had there been a crash caused by the 'dust' and human lives lost they would have been critizised for allowing flights. They were in a no-win situation, but its cost the economy £millions.

I'm sorry but SPAIN, pull your finger out! Madrid has been designated as a european 'hub' for continental flights getting back to Europe as the flights to the UK and northern Europe are still banned from flying. Many travelers are stranded there trying to get up the the northern French channel crossings. A lot of these travelers are being ripped off by taxi companies, buses and rail, hoteliers and just about everyone out there. They now are left with no money to survive on .They are being charged  3 and 4 times the normal rates, example £1000 plus a day car hire etc. Organisations cant fly into Spain to try to organise evacuation so its up to those already out there to help us do this.  One of Spains main economies is from British tourism and if Spain  continues to rip us off I'm sure it'll be a long time before some of these travelers will be back to Spain with their holiday spending money. The stranded passengers arent after charity, just compasion and assisstance. This situation could go on for weeks.

If any british ex-pats living out in Spain and reading this can get help in any way, please do so.