Southwest Airlines Emergency Landing – Almost

Published July 8, 2010 at 7:00 am |

Talk to anyone who travels frequently and chances are, they’ll be able to weave a good story or two; myself included. Such was the case last week when I arrived into Providence Airport on Southwest Airlines. It was around 11:15 P.M. and I knew my parents were looking forward to seeing me. So I thought I’d have a bit of fun with them. While I was making the 30-minute drive from the airport to their house I gave them a phone call…

11:19 A Rough Landing – Phone Call #1

“Dad, I want to let you know I’m alright. When the plane landed there was a problem with the nose gear, it collapsed. So now the plane is stuck at the end of the runway and can’t taxi to the terminal. Southwest is trying to figure out what to do.”

11:28 The Fire Department Gets Involved – Phone Call #2

“It looks like the Fire Department is going to evacuate us. I see Southwest Airlines Representatives on the ground talking to someone who appears to be a Fire Chief. There are a bunch of trucks next to the plane.”

11:32 Is it Legal for the Fire Department to Evacuate Passengers? – Phone Call #3

“The Fire Department is going back-and-forth with the airport personnel. Apparently there’s some union regulations or federal laws or something that have to be figured out before anyone can evacuate us. Wait, I’ll call you back the pilot is making an announcement.”

[I abruptly end the phone call so that I may listen to the announcement.]

11:37 Call the Catering Truck – Phone Call #4

“Well, they worked out the legal stuff, but we can’t exit off of the fire trucks after all. It appears as though there are some elderly people on the plane who can’t go down the ladder. They need to use a process that works for everyone. So we’re just waiting on news for the next action plan.

Wait, I think I see catering trucks coming this way. Maybe they’ll give us free drinks or something…Nope, we are going to be exiting off the catering trucks! Can you believe it?

The flight attendants are telling us that they aren’t built to accommodate people, only drink carts so they can only take 2 people at a time with their carry-on luggage. I’m in the back of the plane so it will be awhile. I’ll call you when I get more details, my battery is running low.”

Would You Like Some Wine? – Text Message #1

I sent mom and dad a text message asking them if they’d like any peanuts, pretzels or little bottles of wine [presumably from inside the catering truck]. They replied with a yes to all.

On My Way Home – Text Message #2

I sent them a final text message letting them know my brother picked me up and I’m on my way home.

Welcome Home – Warm Embrace #1

The car is parked into the driveway and I’m met with a smile, quizzical look, hugs and a wag of the finger for tricking them into thinking I actually had to disembark off an airplane in a catering truck.

So that’s my story and I’m sticking to it? Whaddya think? Would you have been fooled?

I’ll see you out there…! With my pockets full of invisible bags of peanuts, pretzels and little bottles of wine.

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Thanks mom and dad for having some fun. Love you!

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