As travel information websites crashed under the pressure of online inquiries,
tens of thousands of stranded travellers turned to Twitter and Facebook.
From the Calais Rescue service organised via Twitter by television presenter
Dan Snow to bring home foot passengers from France in a small boat, to
Skjutsgruppen, the Swedish carpool movement, organising lifts Europe-wide on
Facebook, wireless technology found a new purpose.
Twitter
Twitter users found succour by searching on themes, or "hash tags".
The most popular were #getmehome, #stranded and, for those who had given up
the struggle, #putmeup.
Each allowed people to reach potential liftsharers and others in the same boat
(or train or car).
Typical of the messages left on #getmehome was this from @timlocke73: "Two of
us stranded in Berlin. Anyone driving towards England who can offer a lift
in the nxt week?"
Others were simply passing on information about which airports were expected
to re-open next.
US television reported that Jen Stoltenberg, the Norwegian prime minister, was
using an Apple iPad mobile device and wireless hotspot in an airport
executive lounge to run his country from New York.
Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, sent tweets about
his adventures in trying to get from London to Valencia for the Future of
Media conference, and set off on a 24-hour bus journey.
Others travelling in the opposite direction were offered what seemed a high
price for salvation via #getmehome: "Bus from London to Copenhagen,
departure Monday 19th April approx 18:00. Price €250."
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