Only In The Caribbean!

October 13, 2008

in Airplane Stories

In the 1980’s I was on a flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Miami. We had boarded, and as they pulled the enclosed walkway from the plane, they noticed that the aircraft had been damaged by the walkway used in New Jersey. Even though the plane had made the flight safely, they couldn’t let it leave San Juan without it being repaired. We were informed that we could get off the plane & wait in the terminal, or remain on the plane as we wouldn’t be able to deplane during the repairs. The worst thing was when they said that the mechanic had GONE HOME TO GET HIS TOOLS! We sat in the hot plane for 2 hours….talk about being nervous on the flight home!

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Julie October 25, 2008 at 4:39 am

Not every airport is lucky enough to have mechanics on site. We have had to wait 5+ hours for the mechanic to get off the lake and drive over 100 miles to get to the plane! We've also had to wait for a mechanic to drive from STL to SGF (3.5 hours) for a 15 minute job.

Reply

Shakinthefat October 29, 2008 at 4:46 am

Should have used passengers chewing gum to fix the problem. It's the island, don't worry be happy.

Reply

Anonymous April 2, 2009 at 7:19 pm

Duct tape is your friend.

Reply

Rob April 3, 2009 at 8:43 am

San Juan is not Chicago or New York. It's part of what is really a 3rd world country, supported by the US Federal government.

2 whole hours. wow!

Reply

Jessidork April 6, 2009 at 9:32 am

After working in Puerto Rico for 2 weeks and seeing a lot of what tourists and probably even native Puerto Ricans don't see (and on a daily basis, no less), I do agree that that island is closer to a third world country than many people would like to think. Especially since it is a part of the US. However, I do feel for you as 2 hours is a long time to wait in a horribly managed airport in a metal can in the heat – I think the worst experience I ever had in an airport was at San Juan!

Reply

scumbag April 20, 2009 at 2:01 pm

…if I read that correctly, it sounds like you had the opportunity to leave the plane and sit in the terminal. Hmmmm, A/C in terminal? Or sit in hot tin can and roast in the sun. Its your own fault.

Besides, when I'm about to go screaming through the atmosphere in a aluminum tube that will desintegrate it it meets the ground harshly, there is no amount of "its fine" when it comes to damage. Would you drive full speed down the freeway with a flat tire? I wouldn't.

Reply

Cerebral_Origami May 5, 2009 at 7:43 pm

Few people realize how thin and fragile an airplane's skin really is. Even a small tear can catch the wind and peel. Not very likely but still possible.

Reply

Sun January 13, 2010 at 9:28 am

Why'd you wait in the plane when you were given the option to get off and wait in the terminal?

Reply

Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *




Previous post:

Next post: