airline rant

[milagros317]

My flight home on Delta:

3:30pm boarded at gate 54 in LAX (Los Angeles)
4:10pm pulled back from the gate, only 10 minutes after scheduled departure time
4:30pm returned to gate; pilot announced that he needed to have mechanics look at the rudder
4:50pm told that plane was out of service for repairs, told to get off and go to gate 51 where a different plane was waiting for us
6:08pm told that the second plane was not flightworthy either, and we should go to gate 57 where a plane soon to arrive would become available to us
8:03pm pulled back from the gate in this third plane and new flight attendants (as the original ones were past their allowed consecutive hours on duty)
8:20pm finally took off, more than FOUR HOURS late
===================
4:03am (the next day--NY time) landed at JFK airport
4:35am got luggage
5:18am arrived home, collapsed


Two planes in a row deemed not fit to fly does not exactly inspire condifence in the airlines, does it?

 

[Oddjob0226]

Welcome home! Did your hotel fire alarm go off at 2 in the morning in LA like mine did in NYC in November 2003?

 

[milagros317]

No fires or false alarms, happily. There was a small earthquake while I was there.

 

[Oddjob0226]

Well, despite your crazy airline problems, it is good that you are home safe, Mil!

 

[Haltickling]

Hey mils, that reminds me of an experience of a fellow travel guide in China: The group was waiting at Guilin airport for their flight to Xian. One hour past schedule, then two hours. Finally a friendly ground staff member announced that the "plane is sick, another plane arrive soon". Another hour, then the same ground staff announced: "Second plane more sick than first, so you fly with first plane." All accompanied by the typical Chinese smile... 🙄

As someone with over 800,000 flight miles, I sympathize with you. I always used to say that I'd like the time lost at airports while waiting to be added to my lifespan... 😉

 

[Krazy]

Yeah when I went 2 New-York shit was hectic!...

 

[milagros317]

I always used to say that I'd like the time lost at airports while waiting to be added to my lifespan... 😉

I like that idea. 😀

 

[venray]

Might I ask which airline you were using my friend?

Ray

 

[milagros317]

It was Delta.

Many years ago, I had an even worse experience on Eastern Airlines, which went bankrupt since.

 

[giantfan121262]

It was Delta.

Many years ago, I had an even worse experience on Eastern Airlines, which went bankrupt since.

I had a similar experience on TWA about 5 years ago.

 

[ticklkitten]

BUT... I hate delays like this too... BUT, would you rather a plane take off thar is NOT in tip top condition???

 

[USATKLR]

BUT... I hate delays like this too... BUT, would you rather a plane take off thar is NOT in tip top condition???

Lets hope the airline gods make sure this dont happen to us in a couple of weeks

 

[milagros317]

BUT... I hate delays like this too... BUT, would you rather a plane take off thar is NOT in tip top condition???

Indeed, I would rather be delayed than take off in an unsafe plane. I still blame Delta for having two unsafe planes fueled and ready to take off.