python import arcpy not initialized runtime error - python-2.6

Question

In my org we have issues of not having enough Arc licenses. I would like to be able to trap this, rather than have the python script blow up on me. My script bombs right at the import arcpy line when all licenses are in use. When there are licenses available, this works likes a charm.
here is the beginning of my script:
import os
import sys
import shutil
import arcpy
pathName = str(sys.argv[1])
print pathName
Here is the response:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "C:\Dropbox\Work\EclipseSrc\src\arcMapScripts\dluProc\arcPyNad27toNad83_Auto.py", line 4, in <module>
import arcpy
File "C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.0\arcpy\arcpy\__init__.py", line 17, in <module>
from geoprocessing import gp
File "C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.0\arcpy\arcpy\geoprocessing\__init__.py", line 14, in <module>
from _base import *
File "C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.0\arcpy\arcpy\geoprocessing\_base.py", line 568, in <module>
env = GPEnvironments(gp)
File "C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.0\arcpy\arcpy\geoprocessing\_base.py", line 565, in GPEnvironments
return GPEnvironment(geoprocessor)
File "C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.0\arcpy\arcpy\geoprocessing\_base.py", line 521, in __init__
self._refresh()
File "C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.0\arcpy\arcpy\geoprocessing\_base.py", line 523, in _refresh
envset = (set(env for env in self._gp.listEnvironments()))
RuntimeError: NotInitialized

Answer 1

I was experiencing this issue and the resolution for me revolved around scheduled tasks that were also executing at the time. Apparently with a Desktop Advanced License you cannot have two scripts running at the same time that both import arcpy. Once the scheduled task finished, I was able to execute my script with no problems.

Answer 2

You can use the CheckProduct function to check if licences are available. See this example copy/pasted from the Help page:
import sys
import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "c:/data/world.gdb"
if arcpy.CheckProduct("ArcInfo") == "Available":
arcpy.PolygonToLine_management("Lakes", "LakeLines")
else:
msg = 'ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced license not available'
print(msg)
sys.exit(msg)