Here is the tale from my brother who called me from a plane siiting at a gate in Pittsburgh PA after taking a 14 hour international flight from Asia. Is it legal to hold him and the fellow passengers on the plane at the gate under the new tarmac rules? (Please read his story)

He is looking so forward to get off the flight after being in a the cramped flight in a middle seat for over 13 hours. The plane was making it's way to Washington Dulles but the decided the airport runways were not safe. So the flight circled around for an hour trying to determine where to go.

Finally they decided on Pittsburgh. It had lots of gates that were not being used and no snow. So they landed in Pittsburgh and went to the gate and everyone was getting ready to get off the plane. But the flight crew said that no one could get off and they would sit there until the Washington Dulles Airport would take their flight.

Now 4 hours later they are still sitting there. With no clear time for departure. People on the plane are about to go insane. Babies are crying, people are screaming at the flight crew and the plane is very warm and uncomfortable.

Is this legal? Can they hold the people on the plane like this?

Have you experienced a similar situation on an international flight?