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Original poster

Well this has never happened to me before - and I don't like it.

259 replies

Timeforatincture · 23/02/2025 01:02

19:30 flight from Lanzarote ponced about for ages on the tarmac then threw us all off at 23:30. No offer of accommodation or any indication of time of replacement flight. At least a cafe is open (poor sod at the till) and we had a bottle of gin. You had this?

OP posts:
HopingForSomeSunshineSoon · 23/02/2025 13:13

Words · 23/02/2025 13:01

@Talonz - either you are pulling our legs or the Captain was pulling yours.

The Swiss cheese model ( Dr James Reason) is well known in explaining why aircraft accidents happen.

There are nearly always a number of issues (holes in the Swiss cheese) contributing to an accident. When all these line up, (combination of factors) an accident can occur.

Yes, when the plane crashed, debrie everywhere!

tanstaafl · 23/02/2025 13:17

Talonz · 23/02/2025 12:13

Fascinating. I think the whole concept of flight is pretty awesome.

A good many years ago I was at an airport in Switzerland, sitting in my seat waiting for the plane to depart. There had been a small change in the weather and we waited while they reloaded some of the cargo. This was in the days when the captain would interact with the passengers. As he walked through the plane later I asked him what small change they had made to enable us to take off. He explained that due to cross-winds, they were concerned whether we would gather sufficient height to clear the mountains. In order to ensure safety was not compromised, a quantity of cave-matured Gruyere they were carrying was replaced with some Emmental. Apparently, the holes in the Emmental made the cheese lighter and that made all the difference, allowing us to depart safely.

In my mind that is 1-0 up to the gentle Simmental cow in favour of corporate profits.

Did they also replace the 500kg of steel for a half tonne of feathers?

Words · 23/02/2025 13:23

Nice one!

HotCrossBunplease · 23/02/2025 13:29

HopingForSomeSunshineSoon · 23/02/2025 13:13

Yes, when the plane crashed, debrie everywhere!

Show quote history

OMG you win the thread.

Talonz · 23/02/2025 13:52

Although they may have had to offload cargo, doubt they had a handy pallet of emmental needing flown to same destination instead?

Actually they do. They have pallets of Emmental kept in cold storage at every Swiss airport for this reason. The more cheese they have means the more holes there are. If there are more holes, then there is less cheese. It is this principle that enables them to quickly get aircraft airborne due to changing weather conditions. This holds good for the Swiss whether to assist with weight onboard their aircraft or with ballast in their submarines.

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 14:46

Well we are checked in and there is a substantial number of last nights cohort being placed on standby. The pilot and first officer will make a judgement on whether these people will fly or not. They were so embarrassed by what happened too.

Newgirls · 23/02/2025 15:05

On standby? So what happens if they don’t get on?

Breadcat24 · 23/02/2025 15:14

good luck

Brienneoftarthismyhero · 23/02/2025 15:15

I did see that the flight was cancelled! Glad you got a seat @Glittertwins

notimagain · 23/02/2025 15:34

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 14:46

Well we are checked in and there is a substantial number of last nights cohort being placed on standby. The pilot and first officer will make a judgement on whether these people will fly or not. They were so embarrassed by what happened too.

Sounds to me there’s still a ? over the weight, which is odd given the weather looks very favourable and other flights, aircraft and airlines various have been getting out ok.

I’ve a couple of theories (aircraft weight capped by a minor defect or a complete stuff up on refuelling) but would be interested to hear if you get a comprehensive explanation….

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 15:37

We're now rerouted for refuelling even though we did refuel before abandoning last night

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 15:38

Newgirls · 23/02/2025 15:05

On standby? So what happens if they don’t get on?

There was a bit a revolt going on.

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 15:49

@timeforatincture - are you on? Can't see you

notimagain · 23/02/2025 15:56

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 15:37

We're now rerouted for refuelling even though we did refuel before abandoning last night

[massive speculation] Sounds as if one possibility is you might be capped on altitude (possibly weight as well)…

If you are altitude capped your fuel consumption goes up and if for performance reasons you can’t lift enough fuel to get home then you’ll have to refuel enroute.

I wonder if the initial delay last night was down to the engineers trying to resolve a technical issue that led to all this.

Good luck.

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 15:58

Have been told that we are refuelling to allow us to get over the mountain. So we must be heading down the runway the same way as everyone else this time and they also have clear visibility due to it being nice and sunny. Fingers crossed!

LillyPJ · 23/02/2025 16:00

AncoraAmarena · 23/02/2025 10:05

Yes, I have had exactly the same with EasyJet and am about to start the CAA dispute for British Airways too. Will also make a small claims court application.

EasyJet settled just before the hearing, so I will expect another 12 months of lies and crap from BA too.

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I added £100 on by the time it came to the court claim to compensate for all my time and hassle. I wish I'd added more!

Kittygolightlyy · 23/02/2025 16:01

Timeforatincture · 23/02/2025 08:07

Given my state of mind at present murder spree seems more plausible.

Did you get the flight back in the end??

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 16:03

They're just said we're stopping for an hour to refuel and now we won't be at Gatwick before midnight!

Bromptotoo · 23/02/2025 16:08

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 16:03

They're just said we're stopping for an hour to refuel and now we won't be at Gatwick before midnight!

Faro?

Bromptotoo · 23/02/2025 16:13

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 15:37

We're now rerouted for refuelling even though we did refuel before abandoning last night

Still on the ground at the moment?

AncoraAmarena · 23/02/2025 16:24

LillyPJ · 23/02/2025 16:00

I added £100 on by the time it came to the court claim to compensate for all my time and hassle. I wish I'd added more!

Show quote history

Yup, I did the same, plus the court fees. When I submit the one for BA I will add more!

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 16:35

Yes, we are still on the ground, we have not moved an inch

Talonz · 23/02/2025 16:37

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 16:35

Yes, we are still on the ground, we have not moved an inch

Ha! They don't have inches in Lanzarote - they have centimetres.

Gotcha!

AuntAgathaGregson · 23/02/2025 16:41

Have they given any actual explanation for the delay?

Glittertwins · 23/02/2025 16:50

The reasons keep changing. High winds (not stopping any other flight) over weight - (fuel now being removed). There should be no reason now why we can't take off but still we remain.