{Sent Aug 29} Subj: C/L News: More on the Kiev US fuel and return flight cancellations Hi all, More developments in the USA fuel and return flight cancellation affairs. The forwarding to all 315 people in my e-mail list done with the consent of the involved. Bear in mind that we don't hear all sides of the story. Regards, Goran ========================================================================= [somewhat shortened] From: "Kathy Fitzgerald" Subject: US Team news Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 13:42:47 -0700 Please feel free to forward to anyone you wish........ I spoke to Dave Fitzgerald about one hour ago. Here is the latest information regarding the fuel situation, flight reservations, US Embassy, and the contest. The fuel is still being held by US customs - the US stunt team and speed team made their own fuel on sight which has worked. What happened was that the total cost for the fuel to be shipped to Kiev was $4000. Ukraine customs noted this cost and then tacked on the $1250 duty fee. The team members (Dave said around 33) are not sure if they will be allowed to leave the country if they do not pay the fee. Flight reservations for the entire US team have been cancelled except for Dave and Art (both of these reservations were done separately than the rest of the team - Art did his on his own and the travel agent screwed up on Dave's). Anyway, the flight going from Kiev to Zurich on Sunday, August 30 is actually booked through a Ukraine airline even though it is a Suisse Air crew and plane. The team does not know if this is related to the economic crisis, the unpaid duty, or what. They do not know if they will be allowed to bring the models on the flight - they will leave them if they have to. The US Embassy will not assist the team members. The Canadian Embassy has been wonderful in asssisting the Canadian team and will have a representative and interpreter at the airport on Sunday. The Canadian Embassy will provide as much assistance as possible for the US Team. As for the contest itself - it is over. The results are not known because the Ukraine and Russian judges were caught looking at the score board during the 2nd and 3rd rounds (Bruce Perry got it on video). Also, one of these judges asked Katz (a Japanese flyer) for a copy of his score sheets. The US stunt team filed 3 protests and halted the contest for 1 1/2 hours. FAI ruled that since they did not want to have a one round contest they would recalculate all three rounds without the Ukraine and Russian judges (that's why no results yet). They US stunt team has had a terrible time in Kiev and wishes to thank everyone for their concern and hard work in trying to help them home. [Information obviously directed only to the original receivers removed] I hope that is everything - Rene has been working hard to get the airline issue straightened out - THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!! Hopefully, the team will get home safely - but they may need our help. We won't know until Sunday as they cannot get much information right now. I thank everyone in advance for all the help!!! Thanks! Kathy Fitzgerald ===================================================================== From: "Kathy Fitzgerald" This is from Paul's wife - information on how some of the flights got cancelled. This is going to be interesting........... [Paul Walker's wife?] --------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Maaaaam@aol.com Date: Friday, August 28, 1998 5:57 PM Subject: Re: Trouble in Kiev >In a message dated 98-08-28 15:55:58 EDT, you write: > ><< > If there is anything else you can do with the airling, we would be in > > your debt. > > >> >Howard, > >This is incredible. I first thought these were ploys to demoralized our guys, >the fuel then cancelled flight out of Kiev. In speaking to Swissair agent, >seems someone on Sabre reservation system made cancellation on Paul in July >for return leg out of Kiev due to low number for group rates (?), and it >referenced Teresa McKee and AMA. Werwage was cancelled in June, and there are >two Fitzgeralds, M and Bill, who have passage out of Kiev to Manchester (a >group of 14 have passage out to England. The agent went ahead and put Paul on >the waiting list (he's third in line). How manyon the team are without >passage? Agent said noone on team has called to confirm return flights and >there is Swissair office in Kiev. Agent says he doesn't see anything >indicating local Kiev politics causing the flight cancellations because his >documentation clearly indicated these changes made before Paul ever left on >the 18th. If Paul doesn't get out at scheduled Swissair flight 471 (booked >solid right now) at 4:40pm on 8/31, Austrian Air and Swissair both have lots >of outbound seats the following day.....Hope to see Paul Monday >night........cc to Goran (thank you). ========================================================================