Trapped on the plane waiting to take off, tell us your stories
Jun 20th, 2003, 02:41 PM
#61
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Can't wait to read the repost.
Here is my favorite story, not nearly as good as some, but here goes--
We were to fly AA out of Tulsa to DFW to connect with a flight to Los Cabos for spring break. We get on the plane which taxis to the runway. After what seems an inordinate long time, 15 minutes or so, the pilot comes on saying that DFW is closed due to tornados, but they expect it to clear soon and we are first in line to take off, so we are just going to sit on the runway--therefore we can't take off our seatbelts or get up. We sit and sit, for 2 hours, at which time the pilot says we must go to a different area where they can refuel the plane as we have burned all the fuel. We sit there another 2 hours. In the meantime, we are joined by several other planes which were bound for DFW but diverted to TUL due to the storm. The pilot says the plane will again be refueled, and by the way, if anyone wants to go to Chicago, or St. Louis, or Kansas City, they can get off the plane and get on another one--there are 2 takers. After another 2 hours (now 6 hours into this with nothing but diet coke and pretzels), DFW reopens but to "save time", they take all the people off our plane and put them in empty seats on the other planes that have been diverted. We make it to DFW--no luggage to be found as it was put on another plane but "don't worry--it will go on through to Los Cabos". Next flight to Los Cabos (ours is long gone) is next morning. We spend the night in a hotel with only the stuff in our carry-ons--thank heavens I had a big t'shirt as they put the entire family including teenage son in one room. It would have been awkward to sleep in the nude. Next day we did make it to Los Cabos and our luggage was there.
The irony is, we could drive to DFW in 3 hrs.
Here is my favorite story, not nearly as good as some, but here goes--
We were to fly AA out of Tulsa to DFW to connect with a flight to Los Cabos for spring break. We get on the plane which taxis to the runway. After what seems an inordinate long time, 15 minutes or so, the pilot comes on saying that DFW is closed due to tornados, but they expect it to clear soon and we are first in line to take off, so we are just going to sit on the runway--therefore we can't take off our seatbelts or get up. We sit and sit, for 2 hours, at which time the pilot says we must go to a different area where they can refuel the plane as we have burned all the fuel. We sit there another 2 hours. In the meantime, we are joined by several other planes which were bound for DFW but diverted to TUL due to the storm. The pilot says the plane will again be refueled, and by the way, if anyone wants to go to Chicago, or St. Louis, or Kansas City, they can get off the plane and get on another one--there are 2 takers. After another 2 hours (now 6 hours into this with nothing but diet coke and pretzels), DFW reopens but to "save time", they take all the people off our plane and put them in empty seats on the other planes that have been diverted. We make it to DFW--no luggage to be found as it was put on another plane but "don't worry--it will go on through to Los Cabos". Next flight to Los Cabos (ours is long gone) is next morning. We spend the night in a hotel with only the stuff in our carry-ons--thank heavens I had a big t'shirt as they put the entire family including teenage son in one room. It would have been awkward to sleep in the nude. Next day we did make it to Los Cabos and our luggage was there.
The irony is, we could drive to DFW in 3 hrs.
Jun 20th, 2003, 02:45 PM
#62
This is a copy of Gardyloo's original post:
Author: Gardyloo
Date: 06/18/2003, 02:46 pm
Message: Okay, I'll play...
The time, August 1975.
The place, Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then USSR).
The airline, Aeroflot.
The destination, Moscow.
The equipment, Ilushin IL-62 (4 engine jet).
The contents, around 120 passengers, every seat full.
The temperature outside, around 108F, say 42C.
The problem: Because of the heat and high altitude of the city (called "density altitude"), airplanes need extra power and runway length to get airborne. The IL-62 (a rip-off of a British jet, the Super VC-10) is notoriously under-powered. The pilot is apparently nervous that the engines aren't putting out enough thrust to get us moving fast enough to fly before he runs out of runway.
The sequence of events: Once the aircraft is full, he shuts the doors, pushes back, taxis to the top of the runway, then switches off all unnecessary power consumption so the engines' energy can all be directed to pushing us into the sky, rather than running the lights, galley warmers, or the air conditioning, which is promptly shut off.
The gauges are still not apparently saying all the nice things, so he proceeds to static test the engines one at a time. Brakes on, other 3 engines idling, each engine powered up to full throttle, look at the gauges, power down, move to the next engine, repeat. Four engines. Two rounds.
The heat inside the airplane has reached cosmic levels; I'm guessing maybe 130F, say 55C. Really. The man sitting next to me is a physician from Bombay, as in India, where they know hot. He tells me he thinks he's going to faint. A few rows up, an elderly Uzbek gentleman, dressed in full local costume (turban, boots, beard), jumps out of his aisle seat and, howling, begins brandishing a curved knife, Ali Baba style (this is 28 years ago, remember.) He is gang-tackled by 2 hefty Aeroflot flight attendants, and strapped into his seat. He continues to holler in Uzbek and/or Russian.
Time has stood still while all this is going on, the flight deck oblivious to everything except computing the odds that the airplane will be able to make it off the runway. In the passenger compartment, people are indeed fainting.
Finally the pilot evidently decides it's worth a shot, so all 4 engines are revved up to a mighty roar, brakes still on, then the brakes are released and we shoot down the runway like a bullet. I am in the window seat, and watch as yard after meter of runway flies past, the wheels still firmly attached to Uzbekistan, faster and faster and?the nose rotates up and the wheel struts extend with a bang and the runway ENDS. I am now seeing dirt and weeds and the tops of goats, clearly.
The plane climbs out, the vibration from the engines awesome, but we're clearly airborne and everyone (that is, everyone who's conscious) is able to breathe again, even if it's superheated and now rather moist and smelly air.
About three or four minutes into the flight, somebody in the cockpit evidently remembers that we the cargo are still back here, hallucinating, so a switch is turned and the air conditioning comes on with polar efficiency. The temperature in the passenger compartment goes from sauna to hockey rink just like that.
There is so much moisture in the air that the dehumidifiers in the system can not cope. All metallic bits and pieces in the passenger section that can be chilled, are chilled. The surface temperature of these metallic bits (air nozzles, trim along the overhead shelves, light fixtures, you name it) reaches dew point. The moisture condenses out and it begins to drip on us. Actually, it sort of starts raining on us: raining condensed perspiration.
We are treated to the usual Aeroflot in-flight service of the day, something like a whole cucumber and a boiled egg, and for six hours we sit, clammy, waiting for a landing that we're sure will offer further adventure. It doesn't, thankfully, so we all troop off the plane into the Russian night, about half of the passengers starting to cough and sniffle at their oncoming viral infections, me included. But we are glad to be out of that tube.
(As a delightful welcoming touch, the Hotel Rossiya on Red Square, my destination, has meanwhile run out of everything in the kitchen except bananas. The only cold drinks available are good Russian beer and sweet Uzbek champagne For two days, that's it - bananas and champagne, in what was then the biggest hotel in the world. It was okay, though. We were sick anyway.)
Author: Gardyloo
Date: 06/18/2003, 02:46 pm
Message: Okay, I'll play...
The time, August 1975.
The place, Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then USSR).
The airline, Aeroflot.
The destination, Moscow.
The equipment, Ilushin IL-62 (4 engine jet).
The contents, around 120 passengers, every seat full.
The temperature outside, around 108F, say 42C.
The problem: Because of the heat and high altitude of the city (called "density altitude"), airplanes need extra power and runway length to get airborne. The IL-62 (a rip-off of a British jet, the Super VC-10) is notoriously under-powered. The pilot is apparently nervous that the engines aren't putting out enough thrust to get us moving fast enough to fly before he runs out of runway.
The sequence of events: Once the aircraft is full, he shuts the doors, pushes back, taxis to the top of the runway, then switches off all unnecessary power consumption so the engines' energy can all be directed to pushing us into the sky, rather than running the lights, galley warmers, or the air conditioning, which is promptly shut off.
The gauges are still not apparently saying all the nice things, so he proceeds to static test the engines one at a time. Brakes on, other 3 engines idling, each engine powered up to full throttle, look at the gauges, power down, move to the next engine, repeat. Four engines. Two rounds.
The heat inside the airplane has reached cosmic levels; I'm guessing maybe 130F, say 55C. Really. The man sitting next to me is a physician from Bombay, as in India, where they know hot. He tells me he thinks he's going to faint. A few rows up, an elderly Uzbek gentleman, dressed in full local costume (turban, boots, beard), jumps out of his aisle seat and, howling, begins brandishing a curved knife, Ali Baba style (this is 28 years ago, remember.) He is gang-tackled by 2 hefty Aeroflot flight attendants, and strapped into his seat. He continues to holler in Uzbek and/or Russian.
Time has stood still while all this is going on, the flight deck oblivious to everything except computing the odds that the airplane will be able to make it off the runway. In the passenger compartment, people are indeed fainting.
Finally the pilot evidently decides it's worth a shot, so all 4 engines are revved up to a mighty roar, brakes still on, then the brakes are released and we shoot down the runway like a bullet. I am in the window seat, and watch as yard after meter of runway flies past, the wheels still firmly attached to Uzbekistan, faster and faster and?the nose rotates up and the wheel struts extend with a bang and the runway ENDS. I am now seeing dirt and weeds and the tops of goats, clearly.
The plane climbs out, the vibration from the engines awesome, but we're clearly airborne and everyone (that is, everyone who's conscious) is able to breathe again, even if it's superheated and now rather moist and smelly air.
About three or four minutes into the flight, somebody in the cockpit evidently remembers that we the cargo are still back here, hallucinating, so a switch is turned and the air conditioning comes on with polar efficiency. The temperature in the passenger compartment goes from sauna to hockey rink just like that.
There is so much moisture in the air that the dehumidifiers in the system can not cope. All metallic bits and pieces in the passenger section that can be chilled, are chilled. The surface temperature of these metallic bits (air nozzles, trim along the overhead shelves, light fixtures, you name it) reaches dew point. The moisture condenses out and it begins to drip on us. Actually, it sort of starts raining on us: raining condensed perspiration.
We are treated to the usual Aeroflot in-flight service of the day, something like a whole cucumber and a boiled egg, and for six hours we sit, clammy, waiting for a landing that we're sure will offer further adventure. It doesn't, thankfully, so we all troop off the plane into the Russian night, about half of the passengers starting to cough and sniffle at their oncoming viral infections, me included. But we are glad to be out of that tube.
(As a delightful welcoming touch, the Hotel Rossiya on Red Square, my destination, has meanwhile run out of everything in the kitchen except bananas. The only cold drinks available are good Russian beer and sweet Uzbek champagne For two days, that's it - bananas and champagne, in what was then the biggest hotel in the world. It was okay, though. We were sick anyway.)
Jun 21st, 2003, 10:26 AM
#66
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My reading comprehension is usually very good, but the line about looking at the backs of goats is a winner and probably the only thing I will remember about that story. I felt the gravity of take off myself as I read the story.
My husband was on a plane taking off from Newark on September 11th and saw the first plane hit the North Tower. He was on his way to Chicago and they diverted his plane to Atlantic City International Airport. I ended up driving down to get him since I was in Loveladies (LBI) anyway. What a day.
My husband was on a plane taking off from Newark on September 11th and saw the first plane hit the North Tower. He was on his way to Chicago and they diverted his plane to Atlantic City International Airport. I ended up driving down to get him since I was in Loveladies (LBI) anyway. What a day.
Jun 21st, 2003, 01:00 PM
#67
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In response to Freqflyer. The flight that crashed into the 14th street bridge was US Air, not an Air Florida Flight, I remeber that one well.
Anyway, here's one for the books. This is something that if you thought COULD happen, you would then say that would NEVER happen in a million years.
My husband and I were going on a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale in December. We were flying (NW)out of Detroit and my in laws were flying (NW) out of Lansing. Our flights were arriving into FTL witin 30 minutes of each other (we were going to be the first) so we were going to wait for them.
We left DTW and were the last flight out due to weather--it was February. I started to get worried realizing that my in-laws were making a connection in DTW from LAN (a very small airport)and were probably going to get stuck going from DTW to FTL. I called NW at 9:00am before getting on the plane and realized that they were still on the runway in LAN--they were scheduled to leave at 7:20am. PANIC!!!
We boarded our direct flight and arrived at FTL on time. Called the airlines and was told by a reservation agent that they had been diverted and were connecting in Louisville. I was relieved because at least they would not be delayed by weather. We decided to go on board the ship and not wait.
We arrive on board and are continuing to call using our cell phone, only the battery decided to die on us.
I ran back to the main area off of the ship and Princess was very helpful. I then found out that they were not going to Louisville (They told me wrong), but were diverted on a Delta flight to Cincinnati--DRAT--potential weather issues again. This went on all afternoon and I had a stomach ache from worrying.
The ship was fortunatly not leaving until 8:00pm. By this time it was 5:00pm and they were on the runway in Cincinatti. Then they sat ther so long they had to de-ice the plane. Then more snow fell on the runway and the plow had to remove the snow. Then the plow broke down and the plane had to go back to the tramack and they had to exit and reboard. They did not board a plane until about 6:30pm.
I was paranoid they were going to miss the ship and by this time even my husband who NEVER worries said, "this is it, they are going to miss the ship".
I was in constant communication with the Princess staff, who was soooooo accommodating. The Assist. Purser said she would talk to the Capt. about holding the ship. They even made an announcement that they were leaving later due to some passengers.
They ended up holding the ship. They did not even have to show their boarding passes or anything, walked right on board, as we were there waiting, many tears were shed.
The Grand Princess finally left at about 8:40pm.
The cruise was great. Took me about a day and a half to "unwind" from the stress. For the rest of the cruise everyone referred to my in-laws as "oh..you were the one's we were holding the ship for..."
What an experience. It is just as frustrating for those on the other end trying to meet up with another party.
This whole thing was UNREAL.
Anyway, here's one for the books. This is something that if you thought COULD happen, you would then say that would NEVER happen in a million years.
My husband and I were going on a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale in December. We were flying (NW)out of Detroit and my in laws were flying (NW) out of Lansing. Our flights were arriving into FTL witin 30 minutes of each other (we were going to be the first) so we were going to wait for them.
We left DTW and were the last flight out due to weather--it was February. I started to get worried realizing that my in-laws were making a connection in DTW from LAN (a very small airport)and were probably going to get stuck going from DTW to FTL. I called NW at 9:00am before getting on the plane and realized that they were still on the runway in LAN--they were scheduled to leave at 7:20am. PANIC!!!
We boarded our direct flight and arrived at FTL on time. Called the airlines and was told by a reservation agent that they had been diverted and were connecting in Louisville. I was relieved because at least they would not be delayed by weather. We decided to go on board the ship and not wait.
We arrive on board and are continuing to call using our cell phone, only the battery decided to die on us.
I ran back to the main area off of the ship and Princess was very helpful. I then found out that they were not going to Louisville (They told me wrong), but were diverted on a Delta flight to Cincinnati--DRAT--potential weather issues again. This went on all afternoon and I had a stomach ache from worrying.
The ship was fortunatly not leaving until 8:00pm. By this time it was 5:00pm and they were on the runway in Cincinatti. Then they sat ther so long they had to de-ice the plane. Then more snow fell on the runway and the plow had to remove the snow. Then the plow broke down and the plane had to go back to the tramack and they had to exit and reboard. They did not board a plane until about 6:30pm.
I was paranoid they were going to miss the ship and by this time even my husband who NEVER worries said, "this is it, they are going to miss the ship".
I was in constant communication with the Princess staff, who was soooooo accommodating. The Assist. Purser said she would talk to the Capt. about holding the ship. They even made an announcement that they were leaving later due to some passengers.
They ended up holding the ship. They did not even have to show their boarding passes or anything, walked right on board, as we were there waiting, many tears were shed.
The Grand Princess finally left at about 8:40pm.
The cruise was great. Took me about a day and a half to "unwind" from the stress. For the rest of the cruise everyone referred to my in-laws as "oh..you were the one's we were holding the ship for..."
What an experience. It is just as frustrating for those on the other end trying to meet up with another party.
This whole thing was UNREAL.
Jun 21st, 2003, 01:16 PM
#68
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Weird......one of my posts is gone. I posted a short comment about gardyloo's post being even better the second time around, and then I posted again, with my experience getting stuck on a C-5 during a Space-A flight. Wonder why it was deleted?
Jun 22nd, 2003, 06:13 AM
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tinatoadster - It was Air Florida
http://meme.essortment.com/airfloridaplan_rjgw.htm
"Ah, yes, I remember it well"
http://meme.essortment.com/airfloridaplan_rjgw.htm
"Ah, yes, I remember it well"
Jun 22nd, 2003, 10:40 AM
#71
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The 14th Street Bridge Crash in DC was Air Florida, not US Air.
The reason I remember is because a fraternity at the university I was attending had a "Air Florida" party right after that and caused an uproar. The fraternity was suspended for a few years. Sometimes there is no accounting for bad taste....
The reason I remember is because a fraternity at the university I was attending had a "Air Florida" party right after that and caused an uproar. The fraternity was suspended for a few years. Sometimes there is no accounting for bad taste....
Jun 22nd, 2003, 12:50 PM
#72
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I don't recall if I have posted this story in the past or not, but if so, it's good enough to tell again.
The year was 1979 or so, just after the DC-10 fleet was inspected and cleared to fly after the AA flight 111 crash in Chicago. (Left engine broke free from it's mounting bolts and caused a crash on takeoff, killing all souls on board.)
Anyway, my systems engineer and I were on an American DC-10 from SFO to BOS. As we boarded, he said to me, "I don't want to fly a DC-10." I said, "Relax, they've all been inspected. They're the safest thing in the sky!" and we sat down, just in front of the left wing, staring at the left engine.
So we sit there awhile, reading, then playing backgammon, when the Captain comes on the intercom saying we have a minor mechanical problem, and we'll be underway shortly. My SE again said, "I don't like this, I want to get off!" I repeated, "Relax, it's probably something minor."
A few minutes later, we see a maintenance guy come running over to the left engine. He get's a ladder, rests it on the left engine nacelle and climbs up. Then he opens a hatch on the mounting pylon, pulls a socket wrench from his pocket, AND STARTS TIGHTENING BOLTS ON THE F!@#$%G ENGINE MOUNT!
My SE says "I'm outta here!" and left the plane. I stayed on, drank heavily throughout the flight to Boston, and met him at the hotel.
Scout's honor.
The year was 1979 or so, just after the DC-10 fleet was inspected and cleared to fly after the AA flight 111 crash in Chicago. (Left engine broke free from it's mounting bolts and caused a crash on takeoff, killing all souls on board.)
Anyway, my systems engineer and I were on an American DC-10 from SFO to BOS. As we boarded, he said to me, "I don't want to fly a DC-10." I said, "Relax, they've all been inspected. They're the safest thing in the sky!" and we sat down, just in front of the left wing, staring at the left engine.
So we sit there awhile, reading, then playing backgammon, when the Captain comes on the intercom saying we have a minor mechanical problem, and we'll be underway shortly. My SE again said, "I don't like this, I want to get off!" I repeated, "Relax, it's probably something minor."
A few minutes later, we see a maintenance guy come running over to the left engine. He get's a ladder, rests it on the left engine nacelle and climbs up. Then he opens a hatch on the mounting pylon, pulls a socket wrench from his pocket, AND STARTS TIGHTENING BOLTS ON THE F!@#$%G ENGINE MOUNT!
My SE says "I'm outta here!" and left the plane. I stayed on, drank heavily throughout the flight to Boston, and met him at the hotel.
Scout's honor.
Jun 22nd, 2003, 03:21 PM
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Sorry, it was December 17. We did take a cruise that same February (Presidents Week) and almost missed our flight..another airline story from Hell.
I got confused. So to clarify...we were traveling in December
I got confused. So to clarify...we were traveling in December
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