This past Sunday, I was held up on CO 489 (EWR-DTW) for 4 hours because of storms west of EWR. We were all set for the 3:25 p.m. departure when the Captain informed us of the storms and that EWR ATC was holding all departures to the west. The Captain said he didn't have any further information and that the delay could be anywhere from 30 minutes to three or more hours. He said we would stay at the gate for as long as possible, but it wouldn't be too long before he would be forced to push back to free up the gate.

The captain gave us the option to leave the aircraft and warned us several times that we could be out on the tarmac for three or more hours. About five people left the plane before we pushed back.

While on the tarmac, the F/A's provided full bar service in FC and gave water and orange juice with pretzels in coach continously for the 4 hours we sat out on the tarmac. The captain further gave us updates every thirty minutes or as soon as he found out more information from ATC. They also let us move about the cabin and lifted the restriction for cellular phone usage and other electronic devices while out on the tarmac.

It certainly was not the best time of my life, but I cannot blame CO. Why?

1) The delay was completely out of CO's control - EWR ATC wouldn't permit them to takeoff because of weather.
2) The captain informed us the delay could be over three hours on the tarmac and gave us the option to leave the plane.
3) They served us to the best of their ability while on the ground.

I don't know if your collegue had the same options/treatment as I had (e.g., the option to leave the plane, being honest with us from the start, etc.), but I have no reason to complain.

When I got home from work yesterday, I had a voicemail from CO customer care apologizing for the long delay in my flight (I didn't even complain to them). Way to go CO!