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Passengers stranded 9 hours on plane
Who doesn't remember that disastrous run of JetBlue flights during which more than a 1,00 people flying the airline sat hostage on the tarmac for hours -- one flight for more than 11 hours -- during a New York snow storm in early 2007?Since then, such tales have become less common in the airline industry, even as a passenger bill of rights continues to get shot down by the government.
But such delays still happen, as anyone flying TACA recently from El Salvador to LAX knows. Two-hundred passengers were stuck on the plane for nearly 9 hours last Sunday after the flight was diverted to a regional airport 45 miles to the east of LA due to heavy fog in the city.
Problem was, it seems that either TACA didn't request that its passengers be allowed to disembark and clear immigration at this small airport, or local customs officials didn't allow it. The result: Passengers were stuck on the plane most of the night, receiving only water and crackers from firefighters and airport personnel toward the end of the ordeal.
In all, the passengers' trip to LA took more than 15 hours.
Tripso has the complete story here.
Top 10 stupidest laws you could encounter abroad
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Beverly Dec 12th 2008 5:21PM
Thirty years ago when I lived in Central America, we referred to TACA as "Take A Chance Airline". Seems they are still living up to their name!
nismo334 Dec 13th 2008 12:50AM
As I understand it the airport was Ontario (ONT) (the closest airport to my house) and they don't have immigration officers nor are they allowed to let them get off the plane. So it was a US immigration issue with the airport not so much TACA. And BTW ONT airport isn't THAT small, two terminals with about 25 gates each and connections to lots of major US cities. Great alternative for those just outside of LA since its much less crowded.
KevinBarber Dec 13th 2008 5:02PM
You are not correct Onatario list itself as LAWA- Ontario International Airport,, So if it does not have immigaration they need to take the International off the name and should have no International flights
nismo334 Dec 13th 2008 6:05PM
Indeed you are correct.
HollyG Dec 13th 2008 6:33PM
Yes, it's supposed to be Ontario INTERNATIONAL Airport, but there are no customs, and as far as I know, no customs officers to clear international passengers. I never understood it either, how they can call this an international airport and not have customs clearance.
Kate Dec 15th 2008 12:56PM
Actually, I thought they did have customs & immigration at ONT. UPS has several int'l flights in and out. Maybe they're not available for the pax side...?
Pissedoff Dec 13th 2008 4:48PM
I would wait about 2 hours. That's it! Then the cell phone comes out to call 911. "I'm being held against my will in an airplane! Please help! I'm being kidnapped!" Then see if the damn airlines smarten up! (I doubt it.)
Devonshire Is Dec 13th 2008 6:20PM
Oh yea Id call 911 also but even better, call every local radio and tv station.... tell them of the unsanitary, chaotic atmosphere. Report abuse at the hands of airline wait-staff and pilots alike. Whatever it takes..... do NOT stand for hours on end in a stinking festering and potentially deadly environment.
After even 3 hours Id risk prosecution with extreme measures.
Aaron Dec 13th 2008 7:59PM
The next time that happens to me, it's 911, thanks for the tip.
T Dec 14th 2008 6:16PM
@#$%A^Outrage! I would have a heart attack after an hour and recuperate as soon as I got out of the plane and to the hospital. They sat there because they wanted to and most don't know how to speak the language. Airline is despicable pigs. This is worst than kidnapping but airlines get away wiyh it. Sue their ass. Those people should have beenput up at nearby airport for the night and treated to 1200 calory triple bacon cheesburgers. Lol...Faa and customs are just as bad and guilty. Airtraffic control knew all about it. Didn't do a thing.
sue Dec 13th 2008 7:08PM
I THINK WE COULD HAVE DONE A LOT BETTER THAN JUICE AND COOKIES FOR HUNGRY ADULTS. ITS ONE THING FOR A SAFETY ISSUE BEING IMMAGRATION, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I AM SURE SOMEONE HAD TAKE OUT SERVICE AND A FEW DOZEN CHEESE PIZZAS COULD HAVE BEEN ORDERED FOR HUNGRY PASSENGERS. ITS ASHAME A SIMPLE TEMP FIX IS ABLIVIOUS TO THE AIRLINES.
Robert Dyer Dec 13th 2008 5:28PM
Passenger Bill of Rights legislation by our non-Representatives in Congress is years overdue!
Geo Dec 13th 2008 5:30PM
That would be terrible. All the passengers should be reimbursed as well as given a voucher of equal value to fly again. That would be the right thing to do.
jj Dec 13th 2008 5:48PM
TACA Airlines should be referred to as CACA Airlines. Third world class airlines shouldn't be allowed to fly in U.S. airspace.
jeanuwood Dec 13th 2008 6:01PM
I was stranded in an airplane in Cheyenne WY for 4 hours once. We were not allowed to disembark and weren't offered anything to eat or drink.
JANET Dec 13th 2008 6:05PM
I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE LON JET BLUE IN JULY OF 2008. FROM BAHAMAS TO JFK A 2 1/2 HOUR FLEIGHT TURNED INTO A 10 HOUR FLIGHT. THERE WAS A STORM IN NEW YORK SO WE WERE STOPPED IN VIRGINIA FOR ABOUT 7 HOURS THEN WE CIRCLED OTHER AREAS FOR A WHILE. IT WAS CRAZY. THEY RAN OUT OF FOOD. THE PLANE WAS FREEZING AND THEN THEY MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE BATHROOMS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR USE ANYMORE. WHEN WE CONTACTED JET BLUE THEY SAID IT WAS WEATHER RELATED AND WE WERE NOT COMPENSATED AT ALL. WE WERE A GROUP OF 18 AND 1 WOMEN WAS DIABETIC AND ONE MAN WAS SICK AND THEY WERE NOT ACCOMODATING AT ALL THEY DIDNT EVEN HAVE BLANKETS OF PILLOWS. ONLY BLUE CHIPS AND WATER AND THEY RAN OUT OF THEM TOO.
Lillian Dec 13th 2008 6:11PM
It's inconceivable that this stuff goes on today. We have a space station and send people up there, yet with all this technology we have today, we can't seem to be able to take better care of people stranded on the ground, in an airliner for all those hours, no matter what the reason is for it being stranded or delayed. And NOBODY cares!!!!!!
Bob in Calif. Dec 13th 2008 6:14PM
If I was beng held captive on a plane, on the ground for 11 hours, about 3 hours into "captivity" I would quietly start off with the first row of seats and have them answer "yes" when a crew member ask's, "Is anybody on this a diabetic?" This could be done by the passengers tell the occupants behind them to "pass it along." After the sting is in place, I would reccomend to a crew member ask the question of the day, posted above. This might get the ball rolling in direction of the gate. ...Bob in Calif...
chesswiz Dec 17th 2008 1:21AM
Bob,
Are you nuts!!!! Thank God your not in office somewhere. Your solution to the problem is to create another problem by allowing airline personel on board a plane to believe everyone is diabetic? Really good solution as so many people today due suffer from this horrible diease; thus, should a passenger REALLY have this problem "there's a cry wolf" on board making hard for the passenger who is in REAL trouble. I travel extensively and know that doing something like that is purely selfish and can put the risk of passenger's with real a illness a serious risk.
Grow up and find a REAL solution! I pray your not in charge of decision making at any company.
J. VANDY Dec 13th 2008 6:20PM
NEEDLESS TO SAY A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL WHEN THE LAWSUITS WERE FILED..
WHO SAYS U CAN'T EAT PAPER....