This is yet another "Once upon a time, long- long ago" true story!
Picture, if you will a blizzard! Howling wind and snow galore greeted the passengers and crew! We were on an airplane that held over 100 passengers. I wish I could remember our final destination, but the story is really about trying to get out of Detroit and away from that awful weather! So- the airplane is loaded and the passengers seated. I was working as lead Flight Attendant- in First Class. Looking at my First Class passenger list I noted that sitting in the front row was a man named "Vlasic"! I asked if he was in any way connected with those wonderful Vlasic pickles. He smiled and said YES, that was his company! I informed him that my sons and I Loved his products, and just hearing his name made my mouth water! We both had a laugh at that one!
It was now time for the pre-flight announcement and take-off! Off in the distance I could see snow plows scurrying in the dark, trying to get ahead of the falling, blowing snow! As we taxied to our de-icing position the snow plows looked miniature in comparison to the ever growing piles of snow along the runways! I remember thinking how happy I'd be to get out of that weather and off to some place else!
So- off to the end of the runway. Our turn for take-off! We were rolling for take-off when all at once we started breaking- sliding- breaking again until we came to a stop. It seemed that a snow plow had broken down on the runway- broken down to the point it didn't even have power to radio a distress to the tower! Another aircraft had seen the broken down truck and radioed the tower, just as we started rolling! The Captain came on the P.A., explaining the situation- saying we would need to get de-iced again and then use a different runway! The passengers seemed calm enough. Even though the storm was intensifying they seemed to be taking this set back in stride.
Finally we were on the new runway, ready for takeoff! I was thinking "Hallelujah! Let's get out of here!!" I was getting weary of the ever falling white stuff! So- down the runway we roll! Faster and faster! Then suddenly break and slide- more breaking, more sliding around! The aircraft in front of us had just slid off the runway!! Even though we did a lot of sliding around the pilots somehow kept us on that slippery cement! Whew!!
I don't have to tell you the passengers were now getting restless and apprehensive! Mr. Vlasic, however sat calmly looking out the window! The passenger next to him was making a few "Holy Cow" comments. Mr. Vlasic just smiled.
Again the P.A. crackled with the Captain's voice, saying something to the effect that once we were yet again de-iced, we'd be leaving- and also said something to the effect that "number three" try for takeoff was surely to be the charm!
Needless to say- it's now late in the evening and we are all getting weary! Back we go for another de-icing.
This time it was a longer wait with all aircraft taking off were waiting their turn to de-ice. We were down to just a few runways! The ground crew was yet to get the disabled snow plow off our first runway, nor able to get the now "stuck" aircraft off the second runway! Plus, now you could hardly see anything out the windows! It was all a flurry of white! The snow plows were like little ants with lights running up and down the runways- all the while Mother Nature was filling the runways up with snow again! They seemed to be fighting a loosing battle!
Finally! Our turn for take off!! We rolled down the runway, picking up speed! The nose of the aircraft came up off the ground! We start to lift off! POP! POPPING! Down we came! Again we slide and break- more sliding and breaking! Catch-slide- release! Catch- slide-release! It seemed our engines lost power because they ingested snow! Again the pilots somehow kept us on the runway!
But now I had passengers waving at me- both in First Class and Coach! They were demanding we let them off the airplane!! One First Class passenger loudly said "Enough is enough! Let us off! This is crazy!" Another said "This has got Disaster written all over it! Let us off!" Again Mr. Vlasic said nothing and sat calmly during the chaos!
Before the Captain could make yet another announcement I gave the cockpit a call and told them we had a mutiny on our hands! We had passengers requesting to "jump ship"! I was talking to the First Officer while the Captain was talking to the company.
Once again the the Captain was on the P.A.- explaining what had just happened. He reassured the passengers that we were inconvenienced but not in danger. (With that statement many passengers let out grumbling mumble!) He tried to reassure the passengers that once the ground crews could get ahead of the weather we'd be on our way.
I heard an audible groan from several passengers. The Captain then announced that we were going back to the terminal because there were passengers that wanted to deplane. So back to the airport we went. I expected a few from First Class- and maybe a few more from Coach to deplane- but was surprise when more than half of the passengers stood and gathered their things! Among them was Mr. Vlasic! As he deplaned he said to me "Good luck, Marcy! I'm a bit concerned for your welfare!"
I can tell you it was one long evening! Finally we closed up the aircraft, de-iced yet one more time- and this time actually took off!
Three days later we had passengers boarding , this time to head to Detroit! Who should board but Mr. Vlasic! When he saw me he gave me a big hug! He said he was afraid to read the newspaper for a few days afraid we didn't make it out of Detroit without incident! On the way to Detroit he asked for my address so he could send my boys something.
It was about a week after my snow filled adventure when a package came for my family. Inside was an array of wonderful delicious Vlasic pickles! My sons were thrilled, having heard the story of the huge snow storm and Mr. Vlasic!
I told them I was sure he hadn't sent it himself but just had someone send it for him. Then I realized a personal note was included! The note thanked me for my love of the Vlasic products, my calm onboard service in the midst of chaos, and a sincere wish for a safe career! What a gentleman!
It was one of those unforgettable weather related flight delays that will always stick in my memory! It's interesting that even situations like this one are a sort of fun to look back on!
Until next time, Dear Readers!
Remember! Life Is Indeed An Adventure! One Never Knows In The Midst Of Mother Natures Fury What Interesting People You May Meet!
For Me- That Adventure Ended With Yummy Crunchy Vlasic Pickles!
Thank You Marcy,
ReplyDeletefor yet another great story. Keep em coming, please.
Great but scary story, Marcy!
ReplyDeleteDear Unknown reader- Thank you for your comment! Yes- that flight did get a bit scary there- especially after number three aborted take-off!
ReplyDeleteSorry, Marcy, I am the "Unknown Reader," Alia MacStay. I see instructions for choosing an" identity," I will go check that out! Goofy me!
ReplyDeleteI was reliving every moment as your told it. We had many a snow storm in Chicago and The blizzards of 67' that Paralyzed the city and the airports was my first really bad snow storm. The ground crew managed to get a heater over to a Convair in Gate G-5 and we all went out to overnight on it. The terminal passengers had managed to find all the comfortable spaces on the gate lobby carpeted floors. During the night
ReplyDeletethe inside cabin temperature had reached well over 100 degrees and we all began to cough. I stood up around 1 am and pushed open the cabin door to the landing where the stairs were still in the downward position. The wind was howling and the snow was blowing so hard that I could see the gate terminal we were parked in from of. I could hear several of the crew yelling at me to shut the door because they were cold with the wind blowing in the first few rows. I made up my mind then that at the first light of dawn I would try to walk to my apartment. One foolish kid that walked down the expressway from the airport, climbed up a snow covered embankment rolling at times over big drifts to reach Mannheim road and walked past many cars stuck in drifts. I was fearful that there might be a dead body inside frozen to death. I made it to a small diner that I ate at all the time called " Mac's Snack Shop " . Looking in the window I could see patrons laying in the booths and on the floor. So I continued my journey threw the parking lot of the Flying Carpet Motel next door and over to Higgins road. The sidewalk that crossed under the train Trestle had snow drifts to deep for me to continue on so I made my way down to Higgins Road and walked the road until I found the entrance to my 3 building complex. I could see the windows of the second floor to my building in the back but there was no way I would reach my garden apartment. Then I saw a guy standing inside the entrance of the front building, waving me inside. Many of the renters
and dug tunnels from the back doors of the front build to the two back buildings. Once inside I made it to my apartment. I was exhausted and of course I had little food. A couple of cans of Dinny Moore Stew and some soup. There was no power so I ate the stew and went to bed with my winter parker covering me along with all the blankets I could find. The following day the sun was out and so were the plows. By the third day I was able to get out and managed to get to a small shop and go, buy some bread, jam and peanut butter and headed back to the airport . Within a four day spread the airport had returned to normal.
Dear Ocalakid! What a story!! I'd love to have you post that story on our "Marcy's Blog Friends" group! I got cold just reading your tale! Thank you for posting!!
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