just got back

T.Gardiner · Post by **T.Gardiner** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:06 pm

from a truly awful 13 hour return flight from tobago,

at the airport for 5pm (local time) shuffled into departures, where 3 BIG flights were due to take off all at around the same time so departure lounges were crammed full,

was told at 6.40pm there would be a 1 1/2 hour delay due to catering problems (due to take off at 7.10pm)

finally got on plane to be told that catering had forgotton to "cater"!!

took off eventually at 9.30pm because of a problem with the air conditioning on the plane.....it was very hot! only to be told we would be diverting to GANDA airport in Newfoundland to refuel which would add another 2 hours onto delay time, then was told at Ganda that we had to go the long way round over Iceland and greenland because we couldnt fly over the sea!!
all in all, we landed at Gatwick at 2.30pm when we should have landed at 8am, missed all the connecting trains homeward, so had to pay upfront, and finally put the key in the door at 8 tonight..........uttely knackered,
and will write more when I'm back in the land of the living!!!!!!!!
Tracey

Andy Roberts · Post by **Andy Roberts** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:28 pm

Beat you back Tracey, got home just before 6 after the M25 in rush hour.

Just want to make it clear that it was the Excel flight that had the problem, and that it appears to be general problem with the plane at the moment. The outbound flight 2 weeks earlier was 2 hours late, supposedly due to an inability to fly above a certain altitude that required a re-filed flight plan and a longer route.

Worth mentioning that the flight crew were just as knackered as the passengers but performed brilliantly. I hope they can find the time for what appears to be much needed maintenance to avoid further delays.

Andy

Jane H · Post by **Jane H** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:39 pm

Bad luck on catching an awful flight Tracy and Andy (but at least yours arrived!) - but hope you had a wonderful holiday!

Jane

T.Gardiner · Post by **T.Gardiner** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:59 pm

I agree the Crew were brilliant, I dont know how they do it!.........its a pity we didnt have a good view of Iceland....!! I always wanted to see what its like!!

You'll notice I'm still up!! the wine is helping greatly!! itching like mad from the Tan turning from pink to several shades of brown!