Washington D.C. (including Baltimore) - Fog stops several flights from landing into DC area

Well, I'm sitting here in the plane waiting on refuel in Harrisburg, PA since fog into the DC area stopped our flight from MSP to DCA from landing. And we're not alone since I'm looking outside the window and see a United and US Airways flight that got rerouted to here too.

They did at least let us off the plane so we could use the restroom and get food.

Did not expect this to happen since I was on my way back from LAS using a 12:45 am red eye to make it back to DCA via MSP by 11 am and I would go into work for a half day. So, it looks like I'm taking the rest of the day off. It's now about 1pm and we have been cleared to fly back into the DC area now.

Just out of curiosity, since this is an overstop, does anything happen like we get awarded extra miles since they had to reroute to a different location before going to our destination?

Also, what kind of stories do you guys have when it comes to situations similar to this?

Just out of curiosity, since this is an overstop, does anything happen like we get awarded extra miles since they had to reroute to a different location before going to our destination?


Unless your flight number is somehow changed, it is unlikely.

It's WX, they let you off the plane. I don't think you'll get much. It's just one of those things that can happen. Typically only the largest international planes have the instrumentation to land in these situations.

It's no picnic sitting here in DCA all morning either, everyone is annoyed, a few flights were canceled because of this fog. No help and no love from overloaded gate agents, who are obviously trying hard

I was on NW NW 2252 (MEM-DCA) last night and after an aborted landing was diverted to BWI. I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention, but we were very close to the ground and suddenly the nose pitched up very rapidly as the pilot applied full thrust. The plane kind of struggled a bit; it didn't feel like we were gaining altitude at all. After about 10 seconds, it felt like were regaining altitude again; this was my second aborted landing and was a bit more unsettling than the last. We circled around for a bit, waiting to see if the fog would clear some. The pilot mentioned possible diversion to Norfolk or Baltimore. Ended up at BWI about 15 mins later. Delta organized buses for people who wanted a ride to DCA, I had my ride come grab me at BWI. Got home about 2 hours later than planned.

At least one other Delta flight was diverted to BWI last night.

Update: We're still stuck here in Harrisburg, now for another reason. Apparently, they didn't have the "trowbar"(?) for us to get us out onto the runway. We are now on "indefinite" delay status. We're stuck on the plane this time and cannot deplane.

Laughter in frustration ensued and we are waiting once again. Didn't get upgrade to First this flight since I was number 29 on the upgrade list. Yep, there were A LOT of Medallions on this early morning flight.

Yeah, even just driving around DC/NoVA, it was -really- thick last night crossing 395.. a little bit better this morning, but I guess not enough to fly in.

Update: We're still stuck here in Harrisburg, now for another reason. Apparently, they didn't have the "trowbar"(?) for us to get us out onto the runway. We are now on "indefinite" delay status. We're stuck on the plane this time and cannot deplane.


Oops... Somebody should have thought about that before pulling up to the gate.

I live in a building overlooking DCA and I can tell you that both last night and this morning the fog was extremely thick at DCA.

Made it home safe and sound. So the end of the story on my end is that we ended up leaving Harrisburg at 1:45 pm and got in at about 2:30 pm. On the "trowbar" issue, I think they ended up borrowing one from one of the UPS planes that was nearby. About 4 hours off schedule since we were originally set to come in at 10:45 am. Called out from my workplace since it wouldn't have been worth to come into work for 2 hours.

Still, the weekend Vegas trip was so worth it, and I'm going back on the 29th through New Year's and coming back on the 2nd on another red eye flight.

I noticed some of you posting on the taking off end. Quite an interesting late Sunday night/Monday morning for several of us, huh?

Made it home safe and sound. So the end of the story on my end is that we ended up leaving Harrisburg at 1:45 pm and got in at about 2:30 pm. On the "trowbar" issue, I think they ended up borrowing one from one of the UPS planes that was nearby. About 4 hours off schedule since we were originally set to come in at 10:45 am. Called out from my workplace since it wouldn't have been worth to come into work for 2 hours.

Still, the weekend Vegas trip was so worth it, and I'm going back on the 29th through New Year's and coming back on the 2nd on another red eye flight.

I noticed some of you posting on the taking off end. Quite an interesting late Sunday night/Monday morning for several of us, huh?

I think this is typical of what happened (flight status for first DTW/DCA flight).

Bob H
-------------
Departs: Detroit-Wayne County Int'l, MI (DTW)
Arrives: Baltimore/Washington-Int'l, MD (BWI)
Departure Date: December 14
Arrival Date: December 14
Scheduled: 7:10AM
Scheduled:
Actual: 7:10AM
Actual: 9:24AM
Gate: A75
Gate: C13
Aircraft: A320
Weather: BWI

Get status notification for this flight >

FLIGHT: 2360
STATUS: Arrived

Departs: Baltimore/Washington-Int'l, MD (BWI)
Arrives: Washington-Reagan National, DC (DCA)
Departure Date: December 14
Arrival Date: December 14
Scheduled:
Scheduled: 8:45AM
Actual: 10:26AM
Actual: 12:24PM
Gate:
Gate: 2
Aircraft: A320
Weather: DCA
-------------
Get status notification for this flight >
Note: Diversion/delay due to enroute weather conditions.

I was out of PNS this morning, my original flight got cancelled, was rebooked, but then that was delayed also. I think I did the smart thing and redid my flight leaving tomorrow cuz I just checked DL website and seems EVERY flight out of PNS was cancelled today.

I was out of PNS this morning, my original flight got cancelled, was rebooked, but then that was delayed also. I think I did the smart thing and redid my flight leaving tomorrow cuz I just checked DL website and seems EVERY flight out of PNS was cancelled today.

Yup. I was lucky enough to be on the ONLY DL flight to land at PNS this morning. The flight schedule before mine (left ATL approx. the same time) diverted to BHM, the rest didn't take off from ATL. I left from DCA, so I guess I was lucky on both ends.

71 DL Mainline cancellations into/out-of ATL so far today...

~95 DCI cancellations into and out of ATL today.

Not fun. Expect significant crew rest delays for operational restart on Tuesday, 15 DEC.

-b-

71 DL Mainline cancellations into/out-of ATL so far today...

~95 DCI cancellations into and out of ATL today.

Not fun. Expect significant crew rest delays for operational restart on Tuesday, 15 DEC.

-b-

You figured they've had enough rest by not flying anywhere ;)

Hi aquastar831,

You got off the plane I got on. Norm Coleman was on your flight, btw. Be proud (or not, I'm not sure of your politics).

As we taxied to the runway, the captain apologized effusively about the delay, and did say that it was due to weather and then a "mechanical" in PA - he did a nice job of acknowledging how much it sucked.

My day started out w/a 04:55 call from NW saying that my 07:00 flight was cx'd - I was then put on the 11:30 flight (your inbound). I ended up being 8.5 hours late to MEM today and missed a day of work. It sucked all around...but glad you got home, finally.

Will

PS - Look for the yellow FT tags!

Hi aquastar831,

You got off the plane I got on. Norm Coleman was on your flight, btw. Be proud (or not, I'm not sure of your politics).

As we taxied to the runway, the captain apologized effusively about the delay, and did say that it was due to weather and then a "mechanical" in PA - he did a nice job of acknowledging how much it sucked.

My day started out w/a 04:55 call from NW saying that my 07:00 flight was cx'd - I was then put on the 11:30 flight (your inbound). I ended up being 8.5 hours late to MEM today and missed a day of work. It sucked all around...but glad you got home, finally.

Will

PS - Look for the yellow FT tags!

Wait, I saw him actually! I'm very sure he was in row 5 on the DEF side and I was seat 6A. I was literally like a couple of feet away from him. I thought he looked familiar.

Anyways, yeah, I usually nowadays try to travel light if possible, so my only carry-on will usually be my laptop messenger bag, since I'm taking advantage of the Medallion for free bag check, so I don't have to drag the thing along for connections. And I did a few mileage runs recently to kind of test out a few paths that happened to be $188 round trip about a month ago, so having my laptop with me with stuff to work on keeps me occupied.

I'll keep that in mind about FT tags since it'd be interesting to chat with some of you guys in person and share stories like this.

To the OP- hope you enjoyed our little airport (my home airport) at MDT. A new terminal was built about 5 years ago, it's not bad as far as small airports go.

MDT gets a lot of diversions because it's got a 10,000+ foot runway and not nearly as much commercial traffic as it could handle.

I used to work at one of the buildings adjacent to the airport above where they park the UPS and FedEx planes, so I had a great view of the tarmac.

At one point, I saw 2 x UA 777's, a 747, and a 767 parked, obviously due to diversions from IAD. Must have had some bad weather come in right as a bank of intl arrivals were due in.

I was on NW NW 2252 (MEM-DCA) last night and after an aborted landing was diverted to BWI. I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention, but we were very close to the ground and suddenly the nose pitched up very rapidly as the pilot applied full thrust. The plane kind of struggled a bit; it didn't feel like we were gaining altitude at all. After about 10 seconds, it felt like were regaining altitude again; this was my second aborted landing and was a bit more unsettling than the last. We circled around for a bit, waiting to see if the fog would clear some. The pilot mentioned possible diversion to Norfolk or Baltimore. Ended up at BWI about 15 mins later. Delta organized buses for people who wanted a ride to DCA, I had my ride come grab me at BWI. Got home about 2 hours later than planned.

At least one other Delta flight was diverted to BWI last night.

How funny...I was on the same flight! I saw blue lights outside the plane on the ground. I'm not sure if we overshot or were off-center.

I asked nicely for, and received, a taxi voucher to take me home.

I was out of PNS this morning, my original flight got cancelled, was rebooked, but then that was delayed also. I think I did the smart thing and redid my flight leaving tomorrow cuz I just checked DL website and seems EVERY flight out of PNS was cancelled today.

I was scheduled out of PNS also. Three flights were cancelled. But they ultimately booked me on CO metal to TPA, so at least I was able to get out on Monday. CO did charge me for 2 bags, even though DL said there should be a reciprocal agreement for them not to charge elites for bags if the original airline didnt charge for the bags. It was either pay the $50 or not make the CO flight. The DL agent said that DL would reimburse me for the charge. I'm not sure if that will happen - but it's worth a shot. After all was done, I was happy that DL booked me on the CO flight.

I was on Air Tran from Atlanta to DCA Sunday night, the 13th. Delayed because of fog in Atlanta but then on initial descent to DCA we started circling Richmond.

They said we would have to divert to Dulles. Then the Captain said ground fog wouldn't let us land in Dulles. We flew over Dulles at about 8,000 feet and could see all of the runways, so that was interesting.

Ended up at BWI with a bunch of other planes. They let people with carry-ons leave if they wanted to (which I did) and told everyone else they were going to get fuel and go back to DCA when the weather cleared.

Don't know if that happened or not. Anyone else on that flight? Did you fly back to DCA?

Made it home safe and sound. So the end of the story on my end is that we ended up leaving Harrisburg at 1:45 pm and got in at about 2:30 pm. On the "trowbar" issue, I think they ended up borrowing one from one of the UPS planes that was nearby. About 4 hours off schedule since we were originally set to come in at 10:45 am. Called out from my workplace since it wouldn't have been worth to come into work for 2 hours.

Still, the weekend Vegas trip was so worth it, and I'm going back on the 29th through New Year's and coming back on the 2nd on another red eye flight.

I noticed some of you posting on the taking off end. Quite an interesting late Sunday night/Monday morning for several of us, huh?

Btw, "trowbar" = "towbar" ...it's the thing that connects the little car that pushes you back from the gate to the plane.

How funny...I was on the same flight! I saw blue lights outside the plane on the ground. I'm not sure if we overshot or were off-center.

I asked nicely for, and received, a taxi voucher to take me home.

Blue lights are taxi-way edge lights. Runways are outlined in white lights (except the end of instrument runways, which will have yellow and red lights at the end as a warning). Hopefully you saw those somewhat in the distance on a parallel taxiway, otherwise you landed on a taxiway, which is extremely dangerous.

Blue lights are taxi-way edge lights. Runways are outlined in white lights (except the end of instrument runways, which will have yellow and red lights at the end as a warning). Hopefully you saw those somewhat in the distance on a parallel taxiway, otherwise you landed on a taxiway, which is extremely dangerous.

That explains why we didn't land at all....the pilots gunned the engines, went back up, and took us (eventually) to BWI.

The new home for this thread is now the Washington D.C. (including Baltimore) forum.

Thank you.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Delta forum