Flt 2 PHL-FCO March 24

[JayBrian]

I was on this flight and we made a medical stop in Gander. The passengers were not given much information during the two hours we were on the ground. Does anyone have any details?

Thanks,

Jay

 

[USAirBoyA330]

This was the flight that diverted to YYT which is St. Johns. I believe the PAX was having a possible heart issue but another PAX was taken ill during the ground stop. The flight was told ONE more and they will quarantine the flight. I guess 3 is the magic number on those sort of things. I also hear a few PAX were upset that they were "inconvenienced" by USAirways diverting. People never cease to amaze me. I remember having a medical emergency. The lady was passed out right at the entry door. People with tight connections tried to walk over her to get off!

 

[US1YFARE]

People with tight connections tried to walk over her to get off!

At least they were considerate enough to walk over and not step ON her....right?

 

[USstew23]

At least they were considerate enough to walk over and not step ON her....right?

Someone should've tripped them and pushed'em accross the jetway.

 

[MarkMyWords]

This was the flight that diverted to YYT which is St. Johns. I believe the PAX was having a possible heart issue but another PAX was taken ill during the ground stop. The flight was told ONE more and they will quarantine the flight. I guess 3 is the magic number on those sort of things. I also hear a few PAX were upset that they were "inconvenienced" by USAirways diverting. People never cease to amaze me. I remember having a medical emergency. The lady was passed out right at the entry door. People with tight connections tried to walk over her to get off!

I read the reports, there was no mention of quarantine. The second customer was no removed from the aircraft. It was flet that the symptoms he/she presented with were related more to anxiety then anything else.

Part of the additional delay was due to the lack of the proper ground equipment to support the A330 in YYT. The ground handeling company had a tow bar that they felt would work to move the airplane, but the Capt had concerns about possible damage to the airplane. After a lengthy consultation between the Capt, Engineering, MTC Control and the OCC it was determined that the equipment available would work and not compromise safety.

So, between the initial medical, the second medical, the search for the appropraite ground equipment and the consultation to ensure a safe operation, unfortunately the delay "crept" up to the 2 hour mark.

 

[RowUnderDCA]

2 hours isn't much, but uncomfortable on the plane. Did they de plane?

 

[JayBrian]

Thanks for the info. I wonder why the Captain announced that we were in Gander. It was dark so the passengers couldn't see any terminals or landmarks anyways.

 

[Freighterguynow]

The lady was passed out right at the entry door. People with tight connections tried to walk over her to get off!
[/quote]

I saw the same thing; in first class no less. Lady fainted and hit the floor. The others stepped over and ON her getting out.

 

[JayBrian]

I didn't see anyone complaining about the delay because of this medical stop.

 

[WorldTraveler]

Thanks for the info. I wonder why the Captain announced that we were in Gander. It was dark so the passengers couldn't see any terminals or landmarks anyways.

I don't think "we're not in Rome but we're not telling you where you are" would work.

The bigger issue is the number of diversions that all airlines have to make because people board flights with health issues which they know could have caused problems. I can only wish that airlines were able to bill passengers for diversions. Although airlines don't want to develop an adversarial relationship with customers, it is irresponsible and dangerous for passengers to board flights when they are not capable of safely travelling and they should be held accountable. I know that sounds callous but....

 

[bigman60]

I was on PHL-MUC flight around thanksgiving that diverted to Gander, nonrev fell ill and his family of four got off in Gander. The nonrev is fine now, but I never heard how the family got back to the states. Does anyone know how to get 4 people from Gander back home? Rent a car? Air Canada?

 

[SCUBAgal]

The lady was passed out right at the entry door. People with tight connections tried to walk over her to get off!
I saw the same thing; in first class no less. Lady fainted and hit the floor. The others stepped over and ON her getting out.

Lordy, people NEVER cease to amaze me. We had someone have a heart attack and pass in a jetway several years ago. It resulted in the delay of a 5pm SJC departure...The pax KNEW what was going on and they still SCREAMED at the agents. (And they were all trying to get on my oversold OAK flight next door.)