Little girl lost in London Heathrow
May 12, 2011 8:59 AM Subscribe
My little sister is traveling internationally with some extended family--US to London to Belfast. Because of some crazy mix-ups, she ended up being routed on a different flight US to London than the rest of her group. Now she's stranded and no one can find her. What do we do?
Earlier today she posted a facebook message saying that she was in London, unable to get a hold of any of the adults she was supposed to be traveling with, and believed they had gone on to Belfast without her (which I find very difficult to believe). Since then, we have been unable to get through to her or them at all. We've been trying to contact the airport, but so far haven't gotten through to the right number. We're thousands of miles away and my parents are freaking out.
Earlier today she posted a facebook message saying that she was in London, unable to get a hold of any of the adults she was supposed to be traveling with, and believed they had gone on to Belfast without her (which I find very difficult to believe). Since then, we have been unable to get through to her or them at all. We've been trying to contact the airport, but so far haven't gotten through to the right number. We're thousands of miles away and my parents are freaking out.
Is she a minor? THe Canadian government has a phone number for Canadians Abroad in Crisis. I'm sure the US has something similar. A minor unsupervised and lost in a foreign country would seem to qualify. Call them.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:02 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:02 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: She's eighteen, so not a minor.
posted by kittenmarlowe at 9:03 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by kittenmarlowe at 9:03 AM on May 12, 2011
Is she posting from her phone ? so you know she got a signal in London. Did anyone post a message back or post something on her wall ?
Is she in London Heathrow or London proper ? Did she get confused moving between terminals ?
Has the flight time passed ?
posted by stuartmm at 9:06 AM on May 12, 2011
Is she in London Heathrow or London proper ? Did she get confused moving between terminals ?
Has the flight time passed ?
posted by stuartmm at 9:06 AM on May 12, 2011
Is it possible she might be in London Gatwick, not Heathrow?
posted by randomination at 9:07 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by randomination at 9:07 AM on May 12, 2011
Are you sure this is actually real? There is a well known facebook scam with the same details.
posted by TheBones at 9:08 AM on May 12, 2011 [7 favorites]
posted by TheBones at 9:08 AM on May 12, 2011 [7 favorites]
Also, you should consider the most likely reasons for her silence. Perhaps she got confused, posted to Facebook, but then figured it out and is now unresponsive because she is on a plane?
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:09 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:09 AM on May 12, 2011
When is her Belfast flight? Could she be on it already?
Belfast airport is MUCH smaller than Heathrow, so it would be much easier to find people there.
The best number I can find for Heathrow Airportis the general switchboard: +44 (0)844 335 1801
posted by sleepy boy at 9:14 AM on May 12, 2011
Belfast airport is MUCH smaller than Heathrow, so it would be much easier to find people there.
The best number I can find for Heathrow Airportis the general switchboard: +44 (0)844 335 1801
posted by sleepy boy at 9:14 AM on May 12, 2011
Facebook scam.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:17 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:17 AM on May 12, 2011
Did she ask anyone for money yet?
posted by jerseygirl at 9:19 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by jerseygirl at 9:19 AM on May 12, 2011
Yes but how would the scammers know that she was with extended family on the way to Belfast? It seems pretty unlikely? Unless I'm missing something, or she posted details about her trip on Facebook and then got hacked. Did she ask for money? Did you email her on Facebook and get back a request about wiring money?
I don't think this is a Facebook scam, or at least take that off the table until "she" starts asking for money.
posted by lakersfan1222 at 9:20 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
I don't think this is a Facebook scam, or at least take that off the table until "she" starts asking for money.
posted by lakersfan1222 at 9:20 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
This doesn't sound anything like the London scam to me, given she's travelling through London. My best guess is she figured it out and is on a flight.
posted by good day merlock at 9:20 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by good day merlock at 9:20 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes but how would the scammers know that she was with extended family on the way to Belfast?
By reading all her Facebook updates/messages, maybe her email as well if they've got that password too.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:23 AM on May 12, 2011
By reading all her Facebook updates/messages, maybe her email as well if they've got that password too.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:23 AM on May 12, 2011
Wouldn't a scammer be taking advantage of the time right now, when the sister is likely actually on the flight to Belfast to try and secure some funds? Rather than not replying on facebook at all?
Anyway, I think what is most likely the case here is that she posted the message, then realized her flight was boarding, and couldn't use her cell again while on the flight. Give it some time, and I'm sure you'll hear from her in Belfast.
posted by Grither at 9:27 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
Anyway, I think what is most likely the case here is that she posted the message, then realized her flight was boarding, and couldn't use her cell again while on the flight. Give it some time, and I'm sure you'll hear from her in Belfast.
posted by Grither at 9:27 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
If she's the sort of person to post to Facebook saying that she's lost rather than trying to contact one of you guys, then it's likely she is also the sort of person who will be checking her Facebook page at every opportunity.
Post a message on her wall telling her to stay calm, go up to someone who works in customer service for the airport or her airline, explain the problem, and ask to please use their phone to call you/her parents so this can all get sorted out.
posted by phunniemee at 9:28 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Post a message on her wall telling her to stay calm, go up to someone who works in customer service for the airport or her airline, explain the problem, and ask to please use their phone to call you/her parents so this can all get sorted out.
posted by phunniemee at 9:28 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is the Heathrow Airport Police Station non-emergency line - 0300 123 1212
Maybe they can help find out if she made her flight, or at least find someone else who can.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:28 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Maybe they can help find out if she made her flight, or at least find someone else who can.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:28 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
0300 123 1212
Sorry, the international format for that would be
+44300 123 1212
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:30 AM on May 12, 2011
Sorry, the international format for that would be
+44300 123 1212
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:30 AM on May 12, 2011
I know it's scary, but I would think that she's 18, has a phone, and is in a more-or-less safe place, so it would seem that a) her airline b) airport authorities c) airport police could get her help in getting headed in the right direction. It's not quite like if she were 6, or mentally incompetent, and/or last heard from in a bad part of town.
And yeah, I don't think it's the *classic* facebook scam, but if she simply lost her phone someone could still be playing games. And the scenario that she did get on the plane and is now out of touch for that happy reason is also quite plausible.
I think in this case it would be warranted to sit tight and wait to hear from her. Whatever her circumstance, it doesn't seem likely she's in immediate danger.
posted by randomkeystrike at 9:30 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
And yeah, I don't think it's the *classic* facebook scam, but if she simply lost her phone someone could still be playing games. And the scenario that she did get on the plane and is now out of touch for that happy reason is also quite plausible.
I think in this case it would be warranted to sit tight and wait to hear from her. Whatever her circumstance, it doesn't seem likely she's in immediate danger.
posted by randomkeystrike at 9:30 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, there is a real "stranded in London" scam, but thinking this is an example is kind of like expecting a Nigerian 419 scam mail to accidentally hit on the correct name and e-mail address of an actual Nigerian Prince who really does have $50 million he needs to get out of the country.
posted by Naberius at 9:33 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Naberius at 9:33 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Jeffamaphone, we're certainly hoping that that is the case, though we'll be annoyed at her for not updating us.
Pretty sure it's not a scam; she wasn't asking for money or anything.
If this were anyone but my little sister, we wouldn't be as worried, but she has pretty severe anxiety issues. With her, it's not impossible that she's in a corner somewhere breaking down, missed her connecting flight, and refusing to do the reasonable thing and just go talk to a help desk.
No response to a page at Heathrow; we're going to call Belfast and see if we can page her or the family there, and then otherwise I guess we just have to sit tight for awhile....
posted by kittenmarlowe at 9:41 AM on May 12, 2011
Pretty sure it's not a scam; she wasn't asking for money or anything.
If this were anyone but my little sister, we wouldn't be as worried, but she has pretty severe anxiety issues. With her, it's not impossible that she's in a corner somewhere breaking down, missed her connecting flight, and refusing to do the reasonable thing and just go talk to a help desk.
No response to a page at Heathrow; we're going to call Belfast and see if we can page her or the family there, and then otherwise I guess we just have to sit tight for awhile....
posted by kittenmarlowe at 9:41 AM on May 12, 2011
As well as the possibility that her flight was routed from the US to Gatwick, not Heathrow, thus confusing her... there are also two Belfast airports--Belfast International, and Belfast City. So I'd call both.
posted by randomination at 9:45 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by randomination at 9:45 AM on May 12, 2011
I don't suppose you have the contact info for the extended family she was traveling with? Have they verified there was a mix-up, or at least accounted for not only her whereabouts, but their own?
It does seem strange that you found out she was lost via Facebook, and not.. I don't know, her calling you directly. If she was updating FB via her phone, have you tried calling it?
I certainly know the panic when a loved one doesn't check in, or give me some kind of assurance that things are okay or not okay. Keep calm and see if there are any other contact points like other family members in the group.
posted by CancerMan at 9:45 AM on May 12, 2011
It does seem strange that you found out she was lost via Facebook, and not.. I don't know, her calling you directly. If she was updating FB via her phone, have you tried calling it?
I certainly know the panic when a loved one doesn't check in, or give me some kind of assurance that things are okay or not okay. Keep calm and see if there are any other contact points like other family members in the group.
posted by CancerMan at 9:45 AM on May 12, 2011
Response by poster: We have their contact info, but we haven't been able to get through to them, either. We've definitely tried calling her, but it goes straight to voice-mail.
posted by kittenmarlowe at 9:51 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by kittenmarlowe at 9:51 AM on May 12, 2011
We've definitely tried calling her, but it goes straight to voice-mail.
This is a good sign. Straight to voicemail almost certainly means the phone is off and she's on the plane. Give it some time.
posted by phunniemee at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is a good sign. Straight to voicemail almost certainly means the phone is off and she's on the plane. Give it some time.
posted by phunniemee at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
If she were on the flight to Belfast, her phone would be turned off. If you know her flight number, the ground crew can contact the cockpit and page the fight to see if she's on it.
posted by muddgirl at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 9:56 AM on May 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
What time was her connecting flight? If it has passed, assume she's on it, and find out what time her flight is supposed to land and contact her then.
Also what muddgirl said - contact the airline, explain the situation and see if they can verify she boarded the flight she was ticketed for.
posted by rich at 9:59 AM on May 12, 2011
Also what muddgirl said - contact the airline, explain the situation and see if they can verify she boarded the flight she was ticketed for.
posted by rich at 9:59 AM on May 12, 2011
The airline should know if she got on the flight or not. And what sort of re-routing happened. Call them.
posted by jeffamaphone at 11:53 AM on May 12, 2011
posted by jeffamaphone at 11:53 AM on May 12, 2011
Response by poster: Well, eight hours later we finally heard from her (well, actually from the family). She was re-routed to the wrong place, and the airline told us she was on a flight that she actually wasn't on, but she managed to book another flight and made it to Belfast.
Thank you all so much for the help and support (and my mother, who was the one really freaking out, thanks you too).
posted by kittenmarlowe at 11:54 AM on May 12, 2011 [6 favorites]
Thank you all so much for the help and support (and my mother, who was the one really freaking out, thanks you too).
posted by kittenmarlowe at 11:54 AM on May 12, 2011 [6 favorites]
She was re-routed to the wrong place, and the airline told us she was on a flight that she actually wasn't on, but she managed to book another flight and made it to Belfast.
Well done, little sister!
posted by ladygypsy at 1:52 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Well done, little sister!
posted by ladygypsy at 1:52 PM on May 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Keep calling, regardless.
posted by lettuchi at 9:00 AM on May 12, 2011