Originally Posted by
fishferbrains
We were redirected to a C gate for almost 2 hours with brake temps still very high after 90 minutes. The captain indicated we had external air conditioners trying to reduce the temps for most of that time
The brake temperature issue is not uncommon, but more likely at higher altitudes on hot days. I've waited at the gate for over an hour on several occasions at DEN on both AA and UA on hot days when the inbound encountered a heavy braking requirement. The hot temperature coupled with the mile high elevation apparently reduce the amount of drag that flaps and slats can provide in slowing the aircraft under braking.