I stumbled across this excellent site after doing a google news search for Air New Zealand, as I was trying to find out about an incident that happened to me yesterday.
I was on a Virgin Blue 737 flight that was about to take off from Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport (Australia). We had taxied to the holding position when the pilot announced that there would be a delay due to an incoming plane with technical difficulties. A few few minutes later an Air New Zealand 767 (I think!) roared past on the main runway, chased by three fire units - that were keeping a few hundred metres distance. It was alll very "Thunderbirds are Go!".
After sitting on the runway for ten minutes, the the NZ plane began taxiing very slowly towards the terminal, stalked by the fire units. This whole time, the woman opposite me was text messaging on her phone. Some people just don't care about regulations. It was almost as if it was a television remote control and the 737 window was a small screen and she was trying to fast forward. A bit of incessant snarling soon had her trying to hide - even though she did look like Medusa and I was expecting to turn to stone.
It may have been a fairly regular event, but it was quite exciting to have an runway-side view of the drama. Thankfully it all turned out to be a safe event, but have no idea what the problem was.
Also, I live in a spotters dream position. I am in alignment with and am 3km away from the end of Sydney's main North South runway. I can sit in the backyard, drink a beer (will have to try one of those Sloebers) and wave to the passengers! Keep an eye out the window for me if you're visiting Sydney.
