Two Hours on the Tarmac

I flew to Dallas this week on an unnamed carrier (rhymes with Bamerican). The trip down was great - until we got to the gate and they were unable to attached the jetway...for 30+ minutes. The interesting people-watching thing was: not one of the people who LEAPT to their feet (and in some cases slipped 4-5 rows forward in a heartbeat) sat back down as the wait grew longer.

I'm not sure if it would have been too difficult to reinsert themselves back to their ticketed seat(or if it would have made their truly rude, gazelle-like move apparent to everyone)...but they stood...and stood. One guy was so tall, he had to turn his neck to avoid hit the top of the plan (not the overhead, but the fuselage!) but he did not sit down.

It was a Tinkerbell moment -- we all mentally clapped our hands that we DO believe in airport maintenance...we do! we do!

Then a few days later, the return flight boarded very quickly (even for a 100% full flight) and we taxied away on time...then the pilot said they had grounded all planes going north due to weather. He turned off one engine to avoid having to go back to the gate for more fuel (or just to save money)...and every 15 or so minutes he said it would be a bit longer...and 2 hours later we finally took off.

For the most part, everyone was resigned to the delay...I assume, like me, they were playing the "well at least" game.... Well, at least we don't have to go back to the gate...well, at least the flight isn't cancelled....well, at least it will still be daylight when I get home.

All you can really do is go along like cattle once they have you in the plane....and plot your own gazelle-like move that will allow you to stand at row 9 instead of row 12 (ha, progress!) while you wait for First Class to leave their cushy seats, replace their footrests (footrests!?!) and exit the plane.