Tunisair-flight on behalf of Thomas Cook: big delay and...

[EBAW_flyer]

[ admin note: this topic originally started here ]

So, our flight was the last Tunisair flight of the day (there were about 9 Tunisair flights that day out of Brussels, with A320/319 and 737-600 equipment) and we had the largest aircraft, being a Airbus A300-600R. Our scheduled departure time was at 20.50 (all times local), but at about 20.30 we were told that there would be a delay of about 20 minutes due to a "leak in the toilet". The delays got longer and longer, and we would finally depart at about 23hrs.

Then everything started. We went to RWY25L, wich means a long taxi with a backtrack on the runway. After about 15 minutes the pilot slowly advanced the throttles (about 60%, then 70%) and when he had full power he almost immediately reduced the thrust to idle and after a couple of seconds he started braking (this time normal braking as it would be with a landing).

We vacated and did an engine run and after 10 minutes we taxied back to the runway (with the backtrack). This time he was extremely gentle with the power but at about 60 kts (approx.) he went to idle again and after about 2 seconds (quite long) he started braking again, this time more violently. Then we taxied to the ramp (parking in front of the old C-terminal) and after about 30 minutes (!) in a hot airplane we were deplaned and brought to the Sheraton where we finally were in our beds at 02.00.

The next day we had to wake up at 07.00 to eat and to be at the airport for a 11.00 departure. But after long delays (and when the people got nervous, because there were lots of families with kids and the bags were still in the airplane). And at 12.30 the captain himself came to us saying that they would make another test run, and we finally departed at 15.00 sunday afternoon, 18 hours after our scheduled departure time.
I wasn't mad at Thomas Cook, but at TUNISAIR for there bad communication and bad discission taking. And most of the people were extremely calm despite the situation.

[Dude320]

Hi EBAW-Flyer,

Thanks for clarification!

:dance:

[luchtzak]

Thanks very much for clarification EBAW_Flyer!

[sn26567]

Who were the "animals" who shouted at the Thomas Cook representative?

[EBAW_flyer]

We actually never heard that sentence. Like I said most people were very calm.

[JetB]

Even on Sunday ( the day you guy's left ) things happened very civilized .

As you maybe noticed the B-Pier was blocked from gate 33 for the US bound flights, so no other passengers allowed !.

A french speaking family also traveling on your Tunisair flight did not except that they could not use the toilet facility's at gate B37.

The mother was very loud and shouting that she already lost a day and didn't see why she could not use the facility's in the US area, quote : " And why ?, for those stupid Americans !" ( drama, drama, drama, pffffff.....)

Some people lose there temper relay fast and some don't !, these little incidents happen every day !, only this time it was mentioned on Luchtzak.be.

Have to say the lady was very disrespectful, rude and loud, and if she was flying on a US flight I know there would be a big chance the airline would not allow here on the flight .

[Avro]

Thanks for sharing this special experience with us EBAW_flyer

Chris

[Ozzie1969]

... but at about 20.30 we were told that there would be a delay of about 20 minutes due to a "leak in the toilet".

What's the problem? Best place to have a leak is in the toilet, right?