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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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47 Trapped on 9-Hour 'Nightmare' Flight

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(Newser) – If 9 hours on a grounded puddle-jumper with screaming babies and the scent of overly busy toilets wafting through cramped aisles sounds like your idea of a good time, then Continental Airlines had your ticket to paradise. When storms forced a Minneapolis-bound flight to divert to Rochester, Minn., on Friday, a comedy of errors forced the plane to sit on the tarmac overnight, passengers locked in, the Star-Tribune reports.

Here's what went wrong:

  • The crew maxed out its hours, and another crew had to be brought in.
  • A chartered bus didn't come through.
  • The kicker? Airport personnel couldn't let passengers in because they would have had to go through security again—and security workers had gone home.

Continental Airlines passengers wait in line to check bags July 21, 2009 at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California.
Continental Airlines passengers wait in line to check bags July 21, 2009 at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California.   (Getty Images)
A Continental Airlines plane arrives at the gate July 21, 2009 at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California.
A Continental Airlines plane arrives at the gate July 21, 2009 at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California.   (Getty Images)
A Continental Airlines aircraft lands at the runway of Ronald Reagan National Airport August 16, 2006 in Washington, DC.
A Continental Airlines aircraft lands at the runway of Ronald Reagan National Airport August 16, 2006 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
People wait at the Continental Airlines ticket counter at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois.
People wait at the Continental Airlines ticket counter at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois.   (Getty Images)
Swissport Fueling employee Gil Hammond watches fuel gauges as he refuels a Continental Airlines jet at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, November 14, 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Swissport Fueling employee Gil Hammond watches fuel gauges as he refuels a Continental Airlines jet at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, November 14, 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona.   (Getty Images)
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It's not like you're on a [Boeing] 747 and you can walk around. This was a sardine can. And they've got about 50 people inside, including babies, for the whole night. It was a nightmare.' - Passenger Link Christin

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23 comments
VIEWING:
 
Yourself
Aug 10, 09 10:43 AM CDT
at what point does someone break and just yell "i have a b___!" in order for them to clear everyone off the plane. Yeah, i know, i know, they'd get charged with some counts for doing so, but how on earth was it acceptable to let them stew in a plane the way they did??? Reply
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+15
ruserious
Aug 10, 09 10:46 AM CDT
Wow. I would have lost my mind. Reply
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+13
atomick
Aug 10, 09 10:48 AM CDT
It's like the airlines are just trying to piss people off now. Reply
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+10
Sammy
Aug 10, 09 11:18 AM CDT
It seems nothing works anymore. Reply
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+5
Newser001
Aug 10, 09 11:27 AM CDT
Appears the city / county's airport and THEIR lack of response as well as BBA Aviation Company, (FBO) aviation services for the airport - not the airline's (although, perhaps they could have insisted). Perhaps Rochester, Minn. International (RST) is liable for inaction...? They're home to American Airlines, NorthWest Airlines, Allegiant Air, FedEx and DHL/Airborne Express. I know these are hard time, but this story and its situation was and is inexcusable; BUT, what security is enacted on deplaning, other than the tarmac...? Reply
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+5

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