diff --git a/docs/APPLICATION.md b/docs/APPLICATION.md
index af2d4c94c..5ab894d48 100644
--- a/docs/APPLICATION.md
+++ b/docs/APPLICATION.md
@@ -306,3 +306,18 @@ for a provider placing a train along its line. The frame, HUD view and
 candidate fields are documented in `src/cockpitSubjectProviders.js`; the Rail
 and Transit read APIs in `src/layers/rail/cockpitSubject.js` and
 `src/layers/transit/cockpitSubject.js`.
+
+A candidate's `selectedAt` is a token that changes each time the user selects
+the subject, even the same one again, so entry takes it first. The Rail and
+Transit snapshots give one, `selectedAtMs`: when the user last selected the
+train or vehicle by a click or `focusTrain`/`focusVehicle`. It is null after
+a deselection and for one selected only by a hold, since a hold is not the
+user's selection.
+
+A frame with `heightM: null` stands on the shared floor, or where it last
+stood while that floor is cold. If no height has been known since entry, the
+view waits, showing ACQUIRING SURFACE, for at most five seconds
+(`COCKPIT_GROUND_WAIT_TIMEOUT_MS`), then ends and releases the subject. A
+`hold` that throws or returns a promise refuses entry and is followed by
+`release(id, { restore: false })`, again once a returned promise settles, so
+`release` must be harmless when called more than once.
diff --git a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
index 0fbf6119c..88f968ff8 100644
--- a/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
+++ b/docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
@@ -2011,7 +2011,9 @@ older subject's.
 
 A frame places the eye `eye.upM` above `heightM` (the shared floor where the
 frame gives none, or where it last stood while that floor is cold; with
-neither the camera waits where it is), slews toward `headingDeg` at the provider's rate, and may
+neither, the camera stays where it is and the HUD reads ACQUIRING SURFACE for
+at most `COCKPIT_GROUND_WAIT_TIMEOUT_MS`, after which the view ends and the
+subject is released: no height stands in for a floor never read), slews toward `headingDeg` at the provider's rate, and may
 turn off the floor clamps (`groundClamp: false`, for a subject inside a
 structure) or keep the anchor exactly on the subject (`anchor: 'exact'`, for a
 layer that already moves it smoothly); `cameraIntervalMs: 0` updates the
@@ -2034,7 +2036,8 @@ The Rail layer offers a read API for such a view: `getSelectedTrain()` and
 `getCockpitSubject()` (a snapshot of the train: where it is along its line,
 which way it runs (`pathBinding.js` learns it), its rail height, speed as
 reported or derived, position source, feed credit and stops, and
-`selectedAtMs`, when the user last selected it, even again),
+`selectedAtMs`, when the user last selected it by a click or `focusTrain`,
+even again; null after a deselection and for a train only a hold selected),
 `setCockpitSubject(key)` (its marker and card hidden, the selection kept, its
 feed held, clicks and Escape left to the view) and `focusTrain(key)`; its pure
 path module is exported as `@gods-eye-view/core/layers/rail/paths`. Transit
diff --git a/src/cockpitSubjectProviders.js b/src/cockpitSubjectProviders.js
index 46b588ebe..aba0a2b75 100644
--- a/src/cockpitSubjectProviders.js
+++ b/src/cockpitSubjectProviders.js
@@ -170,8 +170,10 @@ function refusal(provider, kinds) {
  * - `candidate()`, `isEntryAllowed(candidate)` (optional), `hold(id)`,
  *   `read(nowMs, ctx)`, `hud(frame, ctx)` and `release(id, {restore})`, all
  *   synchronous (createCockpitSubjectCaller). `isEntryAllowed` allows entry
- *   only by returning `true`. A `hold` that throws is followed by
- *   `release(id, {restore: false})`.
+ *   only by returning `true`. A `hold` that throws or returns a promise
+ *   refuses entry and is followed by `release(id, {restore: false})`, and by
+ *   another once that promise settles; `release` must therefore be harmless
+ *   when called again for a subject it already gave back.
  *
  * A provider that is not so is left out with one warning naming it.
  * @param {unknown} list
@@ -501,7 +503,9 @@ export function cockpitSubjectHudView(raw) {
  * Provider methods are synchronous: the Cockpit calls them on its render
  * cadence and uses the answer at once. One that returns a promise (an async
  * function, say) breaks that contract: the promise is refused as a throw
- * would be (its rejection, if any, is swallowed), with one warning.
+ * would be (its rejection, if any, is swallowed), with one warning, and
+ * `onSettled`, when given, runs once the promise has settled, so a caller
+ * can undo work that lands late.
  * @param {{warn?: (message: string, error: unknown) => void}} [options]
  */
 export function createCockpitSubjectCaller({
@@ -517,7 +521,13 @@ export function createCockpitSubjectCaller({
       error,
     );
   };
-  return function call(provider, method, args = [], fallback = null) {
+  return function call(
+    provider,
+    method,
+    args = [],
+    fallback = null,
+    onSettled = null,
+  ) {
     let result;
     try {
       result = provider[method](...args);
@@ -530,7 +540,11 @@ export function createCockpitSubjectCaller({
       (typeof result === 'object' || typeof result === 'function') &&
       typeof result.then === 'function'
     ) {
-      Promise.resolve(result).catch(() => {});
+      // Its work may still land: `onSettled` runs once it has, either way.
+      const settled = () => {
+        if (typeof onSettled === 'function') onSettled();
+      };
+      Promise.resolve(result).then(settled, settled);
       warnOnce(
         provider,
         method,
diff --git a/src/layers/rail/cockpitSubject.js b/src/layers/rail/cockpitSubject.js
index 56078b37b..fe85d496e 100644
--- a/src/layers/rail/cockpitSubject.js
+++ b/src/layers/rail/cockpitSubject.js
@@ -17,8 +17,9 @@ import { displayMotion } from '../transit/movement.js';
  * view that waits for it holds it again if the feed lists it again.
  * `focusTrain(key)` selects a train and hands it the camera, as a click does.
  * A snapshot's `selectedAtMs` is when the user last selected the selected
- * train, even again (null for any other), for a view's entry to tell a
- * re-selection.
+ * train (a click, or `focusTrain`), even again, for a view's entry to tell a
+ * re-selection. It is null for any other train, after a deselection, and for
+ * a train selected only by a hold: a hold is not a user's selection.
  *
  * @param {object} context The layer's state, parts, services and timetable.
  * @returns {{methods: object}}
@@ -181,7 +182,11 @@ export function createRailCockpitSubject({
       }
       const entry = state._trains.get(key);
       if (!entry) return false;
-      if (state._selectedKey !== key) parts.selection.selectTrain(key);
+      if (state._selectedKey !== key) {
+        parts.selection.selectTrain(key);
+        // A hold is not a selection the user made (selectedAtMs).
+        state._selectedAtMs = null;
+      }
       state._cockpitSubjectKey = key;
       state._cockpitLostFeedId = null;
       if (previous && previous !== entry) parts.rendering.paint(previous);
diff --git a/src/layers/rail/cockpitSubject.test.mjs b/src/layers/rail/cockpitSubject.test.mjs
index d04c62277..ad4af5061 100644
--- a/src/layers/rail/cockpitSubject.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/rail/cockpitSubject.test.mjs
@@ -196,6 +196,36 @@ test('a held train its feed drops leaves the feed polled until the view lets go'
   assert.equal(app.state()._trains.size, 0);
 });
 
+test('selectedAtMs is the user’s selection time, never a hold’s or another train’s', async (t) => {
+  const app = await onTheLine(t);
+  assert.equal(app.layer.focusTrain(T1), true);
+  const first = app.layer.getSelectedTrain().selectedAtMs;
+  assert.ok(Number.isFinite(first), 'a click or focusTrain stamps it');
+  // Selected again: a later stamp.
+  app.run(1000);
+  app.layer.focusTrain(T1);
+  assert.ok(app.layer.getSelectedTrain().selectedAtMs > first);
+  // A hold of another train is not the user's selection.
+  app.layer.setCockpitSubject(T2);
+  assert.equal(app.layer.getCockpitSubject().key, T2);
+  assert.equal(app.layer.getCockpitSubject().selectedAtMs, null);
+  app.layer.setCockpitSubject(null);
+  // Nor after a deselection (Escape), then a hold.
+  app.layer.focusTrain(T1);
+  globalThis.document.dispatchEvent(
+    Object.assign(new Event('keydown'), { key: 'Escape' }),
+  );
+  assert.equal(app.state()._selectedKey, null);
+  assert.equal(app.state()._selectedAtMs, null, 'deselection clears it');
+  app.layer.setCockpitSubject(T2);
+  assert.equal(app.layer.getCockpitSubject().selectedAtMs, null);
+  // Releasing twice is harmless: the selection stays.
+  assert.equal(app.layer.setCockpitSubject(null), true);
+  assert.equal(app.layer.setCockpitSubject(null), true);
+  assert.equal(app.state()._selectedKey, T2);
+  assert.equal(app.layer.getCockpitSubject(), null);
+});
+
 test('turning the layer off ends the hold', async (t) => {
   const app = await onTheLine(t);
   app.layer.setCockpitSubject(T1);
diff --git a/src/layers/rail/selection.js b/src/layers/rail/selection.js
index 8818ae195..c1499f0a8 100644
--- a/src/layers/rail/selection.js
+++ b/src/layers/rail/selection.js
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ export function createSelection({ state, services, parts }) {
     const hadSelection = state._selectedKey !== null;
     parts.follow.release({ untrack });
     state._selectedKey = null;
+    state._selectedAtMs = null;
     state._selectedCardText = null;
     if (hadSelection) {
       parts.rendering.paintAll();
diff --git a/src/layers/transit/cockpitSubject.js b/src/layers/transit/cockpitSubject.js
index 93927c63f..3061ef216 100644
--- a/src/layers/transit/cockpitSubject.js
+++ b/src/layers/transit/cockpitSubject.js
@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@ import { displayMotion } from './movement.js';
  * change the selection. The hold ends with `setCockpitSubject(null)`, and on
  * its own when the vehicle is removed or the layer is turned off.
  * `focusVehicle(key)` selects a vehicle, as a click does. A snapshot's
- * `selectedAtMs` is when the user last selected the selected vehicle, even
- * again (null for any other).
+ * `selectedAtMs` is when the user last selected the selected vehicle (a
+ * click, or `focusVehicle`), even again. It is null for any other vehicle,
+ * after a deselection, and for a vehicle selected only by a hold: a hold is
+ * not a user's selection.
  *
  * @param {object} context The layer's state, parts and services.
  * @returns {{methods: object}}
@@ -165,7 +167,7 @@ export function createTransitCockpitSubject({ state, parts, services }) {
      */
     focusVehicle(key) {
       if (!state._vehicles.get(key)?.marker) return false;
-      parts.selection.selectVehicle(key);
+      parts.selection.selectVehicle(key, { byUser: true });
       return true;
     },
   };
diff --git a/src/layers/transit/lifecycle.test.mjs b/src/layers/transit/lifecycle.test.mjs
index 7467f65d7..b17ab026b 100644
--- a/src/layers/transit/lifecycle.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/transit/lifecycle.test.mjs
@@ -4196,6 +4196,32 @@ test('the selected vehicle reads as a snapshot of its place, motion and source',
   assert.ok(Number.isFinite(view.position.latitude));
 });
 
+test('selectedAtMs is the user’s selection time; a hold and a deselection leave none', async (t) => {
+  const app = harness(t);
+  const key = await busRunningNorth(app);
+  // A vehicle only a hold selected reports none.
+  assert.equal(app.layer.setCockpitSubject(key), true);
+  assert.equal(app.layer.getCockpitSubject().selectedAtMs, null);
+  app.layer.setCockpitSubject(null);
+  assert.equal(app.layer.setCockpitSubject(null), true, 'twice is harmless');
+  assert.equal(app.state()._selectedKey, key);
+  // The user's selection stamps it, again on a re-selection.
+  assert.equal(app.layer.focusVehicle(key), true);
+  const first = app.layer.getSelectedVehicle().selectedAtMs;
+  assert.ok(Number.isFinite(first));
+  app.run(1000);
+  app.layer.focusVehicle(key);
+  assert.ok(app.layer.getSelectedVehicle().selectedAtMs > first);
+  // Deselected, then held: none.
+  globalThis.document.dispatchEvent(
+    Object.assign(new Event('keydown'), { key: 'Escape' }),
+  );
+  assert.equal(app.state()._selectedKey, null);
+  assert.equal(app.state()._selectedAtMs, null);
+  app.layer.setCockpitSubject(key);
+  assert.equal(app.layer.getCockpitSubject().selectedAtMs, null);
+});
+
 test('a held vehicle hides, keeps moving out of view, and lets go when it goes', async (t) => {
   const app = harness(t);
   const key = await busRunningNorth(app);
diff --git a/src/layers/transit/selection.js b/src/layers/transit/selection.js
index cc9098cbb..6b9ea95d8 100644
--- a/src/layers/transit/selection.js
+++ b/src/layers/transit/selection.js
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ export function createSelection({ state, services, parts }) {
       : null;
     parts.trails.clear();
     state._selectedKey = null;
+    state._selectedAtMs = null;
     state._selectedCardText = null;
     state._detectRevision += 1;
     // Cleared first: the styling path reads the selection from state.
@@ -104,12 +105,18 @@ export function createSelection({ state, services, parts }) {
     state._overlayHost.clearSource(TRANSIT_SELECTED_OVERLAY_SOURCE_ID);
   }
 
-  function selectVehicle(key) {
+  /**
+   * Select a vehicle. `byUser` marks a selection the user made (a click, or
+   * focusVehicle), even of the selected vehicle again: its time is the
+   * snapshot's `selectedAtMs` (cockpitSubject.js). A first-person view's hold
+   * selects without it.
+   */
+  function selectVehicle(key, { byUser = false } = {}) {
     clearSelection();
     const entry = state._vehicles.get(key);
     if (!entry?.marker) return;
     state._selectedKey = key;
-    state._selectedAtMs = Date.now();
+    if (byUser) state._selectedAtMs = Date.now();
     state._detectRevision += 1;
     parts.rendering.paintSelected(entry, true);
     parts.trails.select(entry);
@@ -190,11 +197,11 @@ export function createSelection({ state, services, parts }) {
           typeof primitiveId === 'string' &&
           state._vehicles.has(primitiveId)
         ) {
-          selectVehicle(primitiveId);
+          selectVehicle(primitiveId, { byUser: true });
           return;
         }
         if (typeof picked.id === 'string' && state._vehicles.has(picked.id)) {
-          selectVehicle(picked.id);
+          selectVehicle(picked.id, { byUser: true });
           return;
         }
       }
diff --git a/src/ui/cockpitCamera.js b/src/ui/cockpitCamera.js
index 847efa429..24ed7f60d 100644
--- a/src/ui/cockpitCamera.js
+++ b/src/ui/cockpitCamera.js
@@ -349,12 +349,33 @@ function updateSubject(nowMs) {
   }
   if (!Number.isFinite(heightM)) {
     // Nothing to stand on yet, from the first frame: the camera stays where
-    // it is while the floor is acquired, as the built-in views wait for the
-    // surface, rather than standing on the ellipsoid (kilometres underground
-    // on a plateau).
+    // it is while the floor is acquired, its HUD saying so, rather than
+    // standing on the ellipsoid (kilometres underground on a plateau). The
+    // wait is bounded as the built-in views' is. Unlike a parked aircraft,
+    // whose fallback is its own reported altitude, such a subject has no
+    // height at all to fall back to: any number would be a guess, so the
+    // view ends and the provider gets its subject back.
+    if (!this.surfaceWaitStartedMs) this.surfaceWaitStartedMs = nowMs;
+    if (
+      cockpitSurfaceWaitExpired(
+        nowMs,
+        this.surfaceWaitStartedMs,
+        COCKPIT_GROUND_WAIT_TIMEOUT_MS,
+      )
+    ) {
+      this.exit({ restoreTracking: false });
+      return;
+    }
     this.surfaceAcquiring = true;
+    if (
+      cockpitUiUpdateDue(nowMs, this.lastHudUpdateMs, COCKPIT_HUD_UPDATE_MS)
+    ) {
+      this.lastHudUpdateMs = nowMs;
+      this.updateHud(this.subjectInfo(frame), nowMs);
+    }
     return;
   }
+  this.surfaceWaitStartedMs = 0;
   this.surfaceAcquiring = false;
   this.subjectHeightM = heightM;
   const target = Cesium.Cartesian3.fromDegrees(
diff --git a/src/ui/cockpitInstruments.js b/src/ui/cockpitInstruments.js
index e4a98de1a..57d0a418e 100644
--- a/src/ui/cockpitInstruments.js
+++ b/src/ui/cockpitInstruments.js
@@ -183,9 +183,12 @@ function updateSubjectHud(info, nowMs, forceContext) {
   view.trackSource = null;
   view.kicker = hud.kicker || provider.labels.kicker;
   view.callsign = hud.title || info.name || '';
-  view.meta.text = hud.meta.text;
-  view.meta.tone = hud.meta.tone;
-  view.meta.emergency = hud.meta.tone === 'alert';
+  // While the floor under a subject with no height is acquired
+  // (cockpitCamera.js), the meta line says so in place of the provider's.
+  const acquiring = this.surfaceAcquiring === true;
+  view.meta.text = acquiring ? t('ACQUIRING SURFACE') : hud.meta.text;
+  view.meta.tone = acquiring ? 'warning' : hud.meta.tone;
+  view.meta.emergency = !acquiring && hud.meta.tone === 'alert';
   const speed = hud.speed?.value ?? null;
   view.speed = hud.speed
     ? {
diff --git a/src/ui/cockpitSubjectView.test.mjs b/src/ui/cockpitSubjectView.test.mjs
index 8fcc1ee10..53c870d47 100644
--- a/src/ui/cockpitSubjectView.test.mjs
+++ b/src/ui/cockpitSubjectView.test.mjs
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import CockpitView from './views/CockpitView.vue';
 import ContextView from './views/ContextView.vue';
 import { cockpitSubjectProviders } from '../cockpitSubjectProviders.js';
 import { getLocale, setLocale } from '../i18n/index.js';
+import { COCKPIT_GROUND_WAIT_TIMEOUT_MS } from './cockpitPresentation.js';
 import { vesselCockpitInfo } from '../layers/vessels/cockpitSubject.js';
 
 const LAT = 47;
@@ -528,18 +529,28 @@ test('a frame with no height and a cold floor never stands the eye on the ellips
   const clock = manualClock(t, 10_000);
   const ride = subjectProvider();
   ride.subject.frame = { ...ride.subject.frame, heightM: null };
-  const { cockpit, shots, setFloor } = fixture(t, { providers: [ride] });
-  // Nothing to stand on from the first frame: the camera waits where it is.
+  const { $, cockpit, shots, setFloor } = fixture(t, { providers: [ride] });
+  // Nothing to stand on from the first frame: the camera waits where it is,
+  // its HUD saying so and still read from the provider.
   setFloor(undefined);
   cockpit.syncEntry();
   assert.equal(cockpit.enter(), true);
   const before = shots.length;
+  const huds = () => ride.calls.filter(([name]) => name === 'hud').length;
+  const hudsBefore = huds();
   for (let i = 0; i < 5; i += 1) {
-    clock.advance(16);
+    clock.advance(200);
     cockpit.update();
   }
+  await settle();
   assert.equal(shots.length, before, 'no camera placed');
   assert.equal(cockpit.active, true, 'the view waits');
+  assert.ok(huds() > hudsBefore, 'the HUD is not frozen');
+  assert.equal($('#cockpit-aircraft-meta').textContent, 'ACQUIRING SURFACE');
+  assert.equal(
+    $('#cockpit-aircraft-meta').getAttribute('data-tone'),
+    'warning',
+  );
   // The floor arrives: the eye stands on it.
   setFloor(FLOOR_M);
   clock.advance(16);
@@ -561,6 +572,60 @@ test('a frame with no height and a cold floor never stands the eye on the ellips
   assert.ok(Math.abs(shotHeight(shots) - (FLOOR_M + 3.5)) < 0.01);
 });
 
+test('a floor that never comes ends the view after the bounded wait, releasing the subject', async (t) => {
+  const clock = manualClock(t, 10_000);
+  const ride = subjectProvider();
+  ride.subject.frame = { ...ride.subject.frame, heightM: null };
+  const { $, cockpit, shots, setFloor } = fixture(t, { providers: [ride] });
+  setFloor(undefined);
+  cockpit.syncEntry();
+  assert.equal(cockpit.enter(), true);
+  const before = shots.length;
+  // Acquiring, the HUD updating, for just under the wait...
+  for (let elapsed = 0; elapsed < COCKPIT_GROUND_WAIT_TIMEOUT_MS - 250;) {
+    clock.advance(250);
+    elapsed += 250;
+    cockpit.update();
+  }
+  await settle();
+  assert.equal(cockpit.active, true);
+  assert.equal($('#cockpit-aircraft-meta').textContent, 'ACQUIRING SURFACE');
+  // ...then no guessed height: the view ends and the subject goes back.
+  clock.advance(500);
+  cockpit.update();
+  assert.equal(cockpit.active, false);
+  assert.equal(shots.length, before, 'never placed on a guess');
+  assert.deepEqual(lastRelease(ride.calls), ['release', 'a1', false]);
+});
+
+test('an asynchronous hold that lands after entry was refused is released again', async (t) => {
+  let heldId = null;
+  const releases = [];
+  const ride = subjectProvider({
+    hold: async (id) => {
+      await Promise.resolve();
+      heldId = id;
+      return true;
+    },
+    release: (id, options) => {
+      releases.push([id, options.restore]);
+      heldId = null;
+    },
+  });
+  const { cockpit, warned } = fixture(t, { providers: [ride] });
+  cockpit.syncEntry();
+  assert.equal(cockpit.enter(), false, 'refused at once');
+  assert.deepEqual(releases, [['a1', false]]);
+  await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 0));
+  assert.equal(heldId, null, 'the late hold is let go');
+  assert.deepEqual(releases, [
+    ['a1', false],
+    ['a1', false],
+  ]);
+  assert.equal(cockpit.active, false);
+  assert.match(warned[0], /hold\(\) returned a promise/);
+});
+
 test('a provider’s labels, entry face and look follow a change of language', async (t) => {
   t.after(() => setLocale('en'));
   setLocale('en');
diff --git a/src/ui/cockpitTrackingController.js b/src/ui/cockpitTrackingController.js
index 0b50f6343..9f2a6129f 100644
--- a/src/ui/cockpitTrackingController.js
+++ b/src/ui/cockpitTrackingController.js
@@ -399,10 +399,29 @@ function enterSubject(provider) {
   if (!candidate || !this.isSubjectEntryAllowed(provider, candidate))
     return false;
   const failed = {};
-  const held = this.callSubject(provider, 'hold', [candidate.id], failed);
+  const release = () =>
+    this.callSubject(provider, 'release', [candidate.id, { restore: false }]);
+  // An asynchronous hold may land after it was refused: it is released
+  // again once it settles, unless this subject is being ridden by then.
+  const releaseLate = () => {
+    if (
+      this.active &&
+      this.subjectProvider === provider &&
+      this.subjectId === candidate.id
+    )
+      return;
+    release();
+  };
+  const held = this.callSubject(
+    provider,
+    'hold',
+    [candidate.id],
+    failed,
+    releaseLate,
+  );
   if (held === failed) {
     // A hold that threw (or broke the contract) may have half happened.
-    this.callSubject(provider, 'release', [candidate.id, { restore: false }]);
+    release();
     return false;
   }
   if (held !== true) return false;