I never thought I’d write that I was stuck in the US for a week because of an erupting volcano. A quick car launch for a facelift became the longest epic I’ve yet been on.

But unlike so many others, I was fortunate. I was stuck with BMW. The same, I’m sure, would apply to many other brands too, of course: that it is times like this that you realise just how damn professional motoring PR is.

The moment we found out, gears were rolling. PR man Gavin Ward hit the Blackberry, to get the full SP and find out our options. Unlike so many others, we quickly were in the picture. Bad news: we were going nowhere. Good news: BMW wasn’t about to turf us out.

Instead, it looked after us. Put us up, helped us work, fed us, gave us WiFi, kept an eye on the flights for us. The car firm had taken us out there and was using all its professionalism to ensure we’d get back – while, in the meantime, not being completely cut off from the world.

Really, there’s little to report on the week. No dramas, no tears, just the ability to seamlessly work, touch base with others and still meet the deadlines we always have. Gavin did the airport runs, chaps in the UK made all the calls for the flights. We had it easy in this respect, thanks to the top efforts by others, particularly Gavin. It was so fluid, so pro, I felt decidedly guilty.

There are stories of others doing the same. Now I’ve experienced it, I have to praise it, must say how indebted I am to all involved. The stories in the press are scary, but I was fortunate enough to miss all of that, thanks to PR professionalism of the very highest order.

This is what PR colleagues train for, and what journalists can overlook unless they experience it first hand, see it in action. We’re a lucky lot to be in your hands, alright.

Gavin and BMW, thanks. You have done your industry proud.

>>I must also praise Hyundai, too. Over in the UK, I had a press Santa Fe, due for collection the following week. Yes, the week, I was stuck in the US. What to do? Call Jodie, explain my predicament, apologise, see what the options were. There were none: ‘Hold onto it, let me know when you’re back, and don’t worry!’ Legend. The loan was extended without question, and yet another weight was lifted. Guys, you’re pros… thank you!

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