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American Eagle pilot tries to amuse his passengers and fails
Passengers on American Eagle flight 4891 from New York's La Guardia airport en route to Cleveland were already running 2 hours late when the pilot asked the flight attendant to advise the passengers that the aircraft would be diverted to Toledo. The reason given was "an emergency has shutdown Cleveland Hopkins Airport". Once the plane landed, passengers whipped out their mobile phones, expecting the need to make plans to get to their final destination, only to discover that the pilot had played a prank on them. There was no "emergency" and the plane has actually landed exactly where it was supposed to be.
Needless to say that some of the passengers didn't share his sense of humor. American Eagle has confirmed the incident, and claims the matter is now "a personnel issue". Fingers crossed for the pilot that someone at HQ understands the need for a joke every now and then.
I've been on the receiving end of a couple of cockpit pranks before, but I can't say I've ever run into a pilot who tricked his entire plane into thinking they were going to land somewhere else.
What are your thoughts on this? Would you laugh it off, or immediately write a letter demanding one million miles?
(Image source: Flickr/Geir. W)
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Reader Comments (Page 12 of 12)
louisa Aug 26th 2008 6:21PM
Initially upon hearing this,after a 2 hour delay I can't say I would have been too happy.But I would have been damn happy we actually landed ay my intended destination.Any other nation in the world...passengers would have laughed it off and been grateful that they made it to their destination.But not Americans.Actually they were probably laughing when they said "yes this is perfect,now I get to file that lawsuit I've been waiting to file".Grow up people and laugh a little.It does make life(and flying) a little more bearable.
(And yes I know this is what i think because I don't travel with children,wasn't attempting to see my only child get married,etc etc)
chattyvon@aol.com Aug 26th 2008 6:40PM
I agree people are so serious. They were still in the plane when they were told it was a joke! It is not like they deplaned. Let people have a sense of humor. I think that is why we may have violence. Everyone has forgotten that it is not ALL ABOUT THEM! Step back... laugh... relax
Waycross48 Aug 26th 2008 6:40PM
I don't think I could "laugh this one off". Considering all of the problems in the past year or so with diverted flights, delayed flights and especially considering that these passengers were already 2 hours late - I think his "joke" was way out of line. Being a woman alone, thinking that I had landed in a strange city where I knew no one and and would be all alone - I would personally be extremely upset. All I would be thinking of is "what would I do" - I have have to get a hotel (something I may NOT be financially prepared for) and then make calls to people awaiting my arrival. This "joke" was in very poor taste but I don't know that disciplinary action is necessary.
Steve Aug 26th 2008 7:16PM
It's Ohio who cares? The pilot tried to have some fun with a crummy situation and people couldn't get it.
Brenda Aug 26th 2008 10:00PM
He should of waited till Apri Fools Day!!! But still funny
Alolar5@aol.com Aug 27th 2008 10:00AM
Being married to a pilot, I KNOW they have a lousy sense of humor...they are more annoying then funny...now flight attendants, they are funny.... and sometimes they don't even mean to be... bless their harts, they are doing one of the toughest job...( yeah, yeah, I know, your job is worse, pays less...) and BTW pilots NEVER NEVER forget their mich "on" as i read it earlier... when they make a PA it is a different white noise they hear in thru the headset, it is very obvious to them, so sorry, no mistakes like that happens...
w67 Aug 27th 2008 6:50PM
It's funny !
FlyedLice Aug 28th 2008 2:07AM
Is not landing in Cleveland really such a bad thing?
bystephani@aol.com Aug 28th 2008 5:33PM
Geez, lighten up it's only about 40 miles (and a joke)any way what were they getting all hot under the collar about? Be glad he was trying to have fun.
bystephani@aol.com Aug 28th 2008 5:34PM
He could have said they were being hi-jacked, lighten up.
Evan Sep 16th 2008 11:58PM
Well, as a pilot myself, I've accidentally said "we'll be on the ground in Omaha" instead of "Chicago," but it wasn't a joke - simply a slip.
Nothing wrong with a good joke if things are running late, and people are stressed. Humor goes a long way, especially nowadays.
HOWEVER, this guy picked the wrong joke for the wrong time. Myself, I have to work on my delivery... :)