Updating my profile, what with all the recent changes, and noticed the "Away Period" under "Options". Much as I welcome the concept I won't be using it, because "it will also stop members from being able to message you during the away period".
I'd much rather it flashed up a warning message telling the person trying to message me that I'm away and giving them the option to continue or not as they see fit.
Until then I'll continue to amend my profile manually with prominent warning messages whenever I'm on my travels.