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Window-seat view while waiting for takeoff en-route to Phuket, Thailand. The two photos were taken at 8.45am, and 9.45 am respectively.

I couldn’t make this up even if I tried…

Originally scheduled for flight at 7am, the plane made it halfway down the runway on time, before suddenly aborting takeoff due to a systems fault indicating the parking brake was on. We returned to the gate for a checkup.

Minutes later, we tried again - with the same result.

We returned to gate, and the Captain later informed us that the problem was more “involved” and that we would need to change planes.

30 minutes in the departure hall.

Aboard new plane, we sat around twiddling thumbs while it was getting refueled.

It started to rain.

We taxied all the way to a runway really far away because there were no free ones nearby. This time, before we could even move, we had to return to gate because the radio was broken, and the captain couldn’t tune in to ATIS for weather info.

Our 4th takeoff attempt was successful, and we made it into the skies at 10.30am.

Upon final approach to touchdown at Phuket, we had to abort once because a thunderstorm swept in and obscured the airport at the very last minute - and I mean last minute. We were just clearing treetops by that time

We circled for another 15 minutes, waiting for the downpour to lighten up.

Finally touched down at Phuket, 4 and a half hours late.

I’m not knocking the airline or anything… it was just a whole series of unfortunate events, and I’m glad everyone else onboard took it well too.

Gary @ 24 Jul 2007 :: A thousand words, General, Photography :: No Comments »