Repeated waves of passengers wanting to abandon delayed flight ---> crew time-out
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 916
Repeated waves of passengers wanting to abandon delayed flight ---> crew time-out
Thursday’s 999 EWR-BRU had the perfect storm
of “...”
first the initial plane had a mechanical issue causing us to need to swap planes with a delay until after midnight.
then when midnight came around there was still no sign of catering.
we finally boarded the plane closed the door and did the safety speech. This is where it goes from “normal” annoyances to “what just happened”
doors are closed and a passenger rushes up and demands to be let off the plane. After a bit of back and forth they bring the jet bridge off and let him off.
they close the door again and go through their checks. Then another group of 4-5 demand to be let off.
so again we go back. Captain makes an announcement that if we have to do it again the crew will time out so leave the plane if you want.
they get off the plane we close the door. Jet bridge goes back. Another 5-6 people decide they want off.
crew timed out. The entire plane is up in arms and angry at the disembarking passengers. The whole thing was just so surreal.
of “...”
first the initial plane had a mechanical issue causing us to need to swap planes with a delay until after midnight.
then when midnight came around there was still no sign of catering.
we finally boarded the plane closed the door and did the safety speech. This is where it goes from “normal” annoyances to “what just happened”
doors are closed and a passenger rushes up and demands to be let off the plane. After a bit of back and forth they bring the jet bridge off and let him off.
they close the door again and go through their checks. Then another group of 4-5 demand to be let off.
so again we go back. Captain makes an announcement that if we have to do it again the crew will time out so leave the plane if you want.
they get off the plane we close the door. Jet bridge goes back. Another 5-6 people decide they want off.
crew timed out. The entire plane is up in arms and angry at the disembarking passengers. The whole thing was just so surreal.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Thursday’s 999 EWR-BRU had the perfect storm
of “...”
first the initial plane had a mechanical issue causing us to need to swap planes with a delay until after midnight.
then when midnight came around there was still no sign of catering.
we finally boarded the plane closed the door and did the safety speech. This is where it goes from “normal” annoyances to “what just happened”
doors are closed and a passenger rushes up and demands to be let off the plane. After a bit of back and forth they bring the jet bridge off and let him off.
they close the door again and go through their checks. Then another group of 4-5 demand to be let off.
so again we go back. Captain makes an announcement that if we have to do it again the crew will time out so leave the plane if you want.
they get off the plane we close the door. Jet bridge goes back. Another 5-6 people decide they want off.
crew timed out. The entire plane is up in arms and angry at the disembarking passengers. The whole thing was just so surreal.
of “...”
first the initial plane had a mechanical issue causing us to need to swap planes with a delay until after midnight.
then when midnight came around there was still no sign of catering.
we finally boarded the plane closed the door and did the safety speech. This is where it goes from “normal” annoyances to “what just happened”
doors are closed and a passenger rushes up and demands to be let off the plane. After a bit of back and forth they bring the jet bridge off and let him off.
they close the door again and go through their checks. Then another group of 4-5 demand to be let off.
so again we go back. Captain makes an announcement that if we have to do it again the crew will time out so leave the plane if you want.
they get off the plane we close the door. Jet bridge goes back. Another 5-6 people decide they want off.
crew timed out. The entire plane is up in arms and angry at the disembarking passengers. The whole thing was just so surreal.
Last year I was flying SFO > EWR and we circled over EWR in a 767 for very nearly 3 hours before diverting to IAD for fuel. At that point my trip was going to be in vain so I called GS and re-booked myself back from DCA > ORD the next morning instead of EWR > ORD the next day. In the process of trying to deplane (the jet bridge had already been hooked up) the purser actually held me at the door for probably 15 minutes saying she wasn't sure if she could let me off the plane. Eventually she consulted the GA who had brought the bridge out and that GA looked frantic and said "you do realize you can't make him stay on the aircraft if the jet bridge is connected right?" I wasn't upset at all because obviously this was all WX-related and the crew was super professional/good in the midst of it but I was curious what the actual rules were if the jet bridge hadn't been connected. Must have been insanely frustrating for both passengers and crew/ops. Crazy.
#3
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doors are closed and a passenger rushes up and demands to be let off the plane. After a bit of back and forth they bring the jet bridge off and let him off.
they close the door again and go through their checks. Then another group of 4-5 demand to be let off.
so again we go back. Captain makes an announcement that if we have to do it again the crew will time out so leave the plane if you want.
they close the door again and go through their checks. Then another group of 4-5 demand to be let off.
so again we go back. Captain makes an announcement that if we have to do it again the crew will time out so leave the plane if you want.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Maybe a slippery slope when still at the gate - but I would also be livid at the 3rd set of passengers wanting off the plane after the pilot specifically made an announcement. I suppose he could have said - this is the last and final chance to leave the aircraft. I don't know - for all I know there is some passenger right to leave the plane while still at the gate.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2018
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Posts: 620
Must have been absolutely maddening. People are just ignorant and self absorbed sometimes. Looks like you guys made it in almost 9 hrs late, but at least you got there (small consolation).
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL999
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL999
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 916
so during the delay the captain actually had me come up to talk to him. Apparently until the parking break is released you have to let people off cause you can’t “Keep them hostage”
I get that. But the 3rd set of passengers was just too much. People were actually screaming at them as they got off the plane. It was wild.
to their credit the crew (all 3 sets) were super professional. There’s nothing they can do about super selfish passengers.
the best part was in the 3rd set one of the passengers telling me “united cost me 4 nights of hotel”
I looked him dead in the eye and said “you caused that. You could still go”
I get that. But the 3rd set of passengers was just too much. People were actually screaming at them as they got off the plane. It was wild.
to their credit the crew (all 3 sets) were super professional. There’s nothing they can do about super selfish passengers.
the best part was in the 3rd set one of the passengers telling me “united cost me 4 nights of hotel”
I looked him dead in the eye and said “you caused that. You could still go”
#9
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 916
#10
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It has to be off-loaded. It's illegal for flights outside the USA to carry the luggage of customers who decide not to fly on that plane - for obvious reasons.
This is why, if a passenger wants to leave the plane and has checked luggage, it often takes quite a long time to find his or her bag - they usually know which container it's in, but that only helps a little. Count on 30 minutes unless you are lucky.
This is why, if a passenger wants to leave the plane and has checked luggage, it often takes quite a long time to find his or her bag - they usually know which container it's in, but that only helps a little. Count on 30 minutes unless you are lucky.
#11
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Specifically, because this was an international flight, and the passengers deplaned voluntarily, positive passenger-bag match (PPBM) applies, and they have to leave the plane. The airline is free to transport your bags without you, provided that it's for their convenience, not yours.
(Also, there is no PPBM on domestic flights, as the fact that each bag is screened via x-ray is considered sufficient. Please don't ask why that's sufficient for flying from EWR to SFO but not from EWR to BRU
).
Sorry to hear about your experience. I would have been livid at the third group of passengers also.
(Also, there is no PPBM on domestic flights, as the fact that each bag is screened via x-ray is considered sufficient. Please don't ask why that's sufficient for flying from EWR to SFO but not from EWR to BRU

Sorry to hear about your experience. I would have been livid at the third group of passengers also.
#13
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so during the delay the captain actually had me come up to talk to him. Apparently until the parking break is released you have to let people off cause you can’t “Keep them hostage”
I get that. But the 3rd set of passengers was just too much. People were actually screaming at them as they got off the plane. It was wild.
I get that. But the 3rd set of passengers was just too much. People were actually screaming at them as they got off the plane. It was wild.
No, it sounds like the answer was "they can refuse after the brake has been released". Which is reasonable, and half the question I was asking.