Originally Posted by
Pat89339
They had three GAs and 2 mechanics trying to get the thing to move. The GA later told me it was a hydraulic problem. They had no other open gates so the only option was the stairs. They finally got it pushed back and away from the plane so we could use the stairs to the tarmac and then we walked up the stairs on the jet bridge to the jet way and into the terminal. Nice late evening cardio. There was a wheelchair passenger on the plane (leg in a cast) and I have no idea how they got her down those steep stairs, but they drove her away in a golf cart to another gate. The passengers at the front kept trying to talk the FA into letting them jump the 2 foot gap so they could make their flight.
*SIGH*
I hate how American have become such a litigious and soft country. Years ago, the ground crew would drop down a few pieces of plywood and everyone would walk across. For the wheelchair passenger, the FA would solicit the help of a few strong people to help carry the pax plus wheelchair.
I can understand not allowing people to jump over as some chucklehead would instantly file a lawsuit claiming "pain and suffering" from being being "forced to jump over a chasm" with a "500 foot fall" on the other side leading to "nightmares and flashbacks" which would somehow justify a million dollar settlement. As a result, everyone had to stay put and wait.