TCX347K - 20 Dec 09
Posted: 28 Dec 2009, 17:08So, the long-awaited time had arrived for a Christmas week visit to the grandchildren in Cyprus. Being somewhat distrusting of UK weather (and weather forecasters) we set off for a leisurely drive up the M6 to Manchester on Saturday afternoon to spend the evening at the Radisson attached to the airport. This would ensure that we were on-site for our 0700 check-in without having to leave home at silly oclock in the morning and without placing ourselves at the mercy of the elements. A pleasant evening in the hotel Bistro , sampling a wonderful rare roast beef sandwich and 1 or 3 glasses of cold Guinness, followed by a great nights sleep and we were up and rarin to go the next day. What did it matter that there had been (very) light dusting of the white stuff outside? We were at one of the main UK airports there were loads of flights in and out every day of course there would be no problem with take-off[:D]
My walk to the car to dump the overnight bag should have given me a clue that there might just be the slightest of problems on the horizon. I almost went base over apex a couple of times in the 30 or so metres I had to walk[:I]
Anyway, off we went to T1 to check in with Thomas Cook. Checked in and through security with absolutely no problems and off for a caffeine intake prior to boarding at the advertised 0830 at Gate 22. OK, it was 0845 before the Gate number was boarded but hey, only 15 mins late[:D] Off we trooped to Gate 22 only to be confronted by a lady who demanded to know who had told us to go to that Gate. It was posted on the board, says we. Well the boards wrong, screeched she. The banshee then snatched up a telephone and screamed into the mouthpiece for a few minutes before addressing the assembled, hopefully Cyprus-bound passengers. You all need to go to Gate 23, she shrieked.
Reaching that destination, SHE reappeared. What are you doing here? she interrogated, I told you to go to Gate 20D. Strange how she was the only one who thought that!!
Eventually, we boarded from Gate 20D after a short bus ride - at 1000 only 45 mins late[:D] We settled in and waited for the usual pre-flight safety message. And waited, and waited, and waited ...... after a couple of hours, the crew did a water run and then, wonder of wonders, an announcement from the flight deck.[:(] The Captain apologised for the delay which had been caused by intermittent closure of the runway (remember my Strictly Come Dancing on Ice impression in the hotel car park?). However, the runway was open again and we were 2nd in line for de-icing prior to take off. Cue euphoria only 2 and a half hours late! So we waited, and waited and are you getting a sense of dj vu? After another 30 mins, another announcement advised that one of the de-icing machines had broken down and the other had run out of fluid! But worse was to come[:(!]
The next announcement gave the news that the crew were out of hours and that a standby crew had been called in. They duly arrived around 1400 (about 5 hours after we were due to depart) and we waited and waited etc etc. Toilets were not smelling quite as sweet as they had done, [:$] mothers were beginning to run out of milk for babies, the couple of diabetic passengers on board were running out of food but still, for health and safety or other reason, the crew were unable to provide food whilst on the tarmac. Seven hours or so into this debacle, and after various excuses about runways closing, de-icing machines falling over and peasant revolts in China (that last one was a joke!) the cabin manager gaily (sic) announced that, rules or no rules, he had made the decision to cook the food. The gelatinous mess masquerading a breakfast (sausage, egg and hash browns) was disgusting. Passengers were then graciously allowed ONE complimentary drink from the trolley. [:0][n]
The flight eventually took off almost 10 and a half hours late, having sat on the tarmac full of passengers for almost 10 hours. Any delays experienced on our next trip (MCO in May) will pale into insignificance, regardless of any new security measures.
[:w]