I spoke too soon. π
First, my flight to Dallas was delayed. We boarded the plane and then deplaned due to an engine issue.
About an hour and a half later, we took off again.
Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot came on the speakers and announced that there was yet another issue with the plane and that a red emergency light came on. They got it to turn off eventually, but turned the plane around and took us back to Fresno as a precaution.
I literally bit off all of my nails waiting for us to land safely. I am normally not a nervous flier, but I was pretty freaked out.
Once we were on the ground, emergency vehicles surrounded our plane and did tests before saying it was safe to head back to the terminal.
After we were back in the terminal, we were provided pieces of paper with phone numbers to call to make βother arrangements.β There were literally no American Airlines employees in sight to help us. Everyone felt confused and lost.
This was the sign that greeted us from the American Airlines ticket counter:
βWe Be Back. Sorry.β At least I had some unintentional comedy to make me laugh during this process.
I eventually called the number provided to us and 25 minutes later was booked on a flight out of Fresnoβ¦ tomorrow morning. π
It looks like Iβm shackinβ up here for the night.
I now have a voucher for a hotel and am waiting at the airport for shuttle to a hotel to spend the night. (Iβve already been waiting 90 minutesβ¦)
Not a fun day.
I am very, very grateful that they turned the plane around and didnβt risk anything, but I am also missing Ryan and Sadie. I want to be in my own bed!
Sorry for whining and complaining to you guys, but its been a bummer of a day.
kathleen says
oh no! better safe than sorry, though. have a safe flight tomorrow π
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
VERY, very true.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
bummer! at least you’re safe though…that’s the most important thing π
Paige says
Ugh SO crappy. I hope for your sake that it is a NICE hotel. Too bad they didn’t give you a voucher for a private jet ride home. π
Heather says
I have issues with bad grammar so that airport sign is driving me bonkers right now!!!
so sorry about your plane!
Katherine says
Oh my…I would have lost it being on a plane and being told that “a red emergency light came on.” So sorry you had to go through that but I’m glad that you are safe!
That sign is funny! Glad you got a laugh out of that at least!
Amy @ VitaminAmy says
I’m sorry to hear about your flight , but I’m glad you are safe!! Hopefully there will be no issues tomorrow morning! π
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says
At least they caught it early on! I hope they put you up in a super nice hotel!
Jaclyn says
That’s so scary – glad you are okay! Things could have been a lot worse but sorry you are inconvenienced. π
Allison says
I generally LOVE airports; best for people watching, but hate how that can change as soon as a flight is delayed/cancelled.
Hope you have a good night’s sleep & a SAFE flight tomorrow morning.
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Oh wow, that would have freaked me out!! Good to know it wasn’t anything too serious and that you’re ok. Hopefully you’ll get there tomorrow! Smoothly and safely π
Steph says
bummer! have a safe trip home, eventually π
Holly says
Awww, Julie I’m so sorry!! π
I hope you get a nice hotel room though…that might make up for the delay..just a LITTLE bit π
I hope you get an early flight out & that you have a safe flight home!!
Christen says
That’s so weird. My husband and I were flying back from St Louis and had delays in Dallas due in engine problems on an AA flight too. Thankfully, they were minor and we were only delayed 45 minutes, but that s still a really strange coincidence. hmmm….
Heidi says
Glad you made it back to ground safely! At least you only bit your nails off, I might have had some kind of panic attack, flying is about my least favorite things. Here’s to safe travels in the morning!
liselledyer says
so sorry you had to go thru that.
It must have been very TRAUMATIC. I would have been really scared.
I can’t wait till you are back safe in your own home.
what a hassle. you must be exhausted.
Loved the video. You are so pretty.
Silvia says
Shoot, that $@##%@. I think I would get a heart attack hearing something like that from the captain. At least, now you are safe and sound in a hotel!
Meg says
Aw, I’m so sorry this happened! Flying is SO scary these days. I hope it all works out for you asap. And don’t even worry about “complaining” – you aren’t! π I would be up in flames if this had happened to me this late at night!
Meg says
What a bummer! At least you are ok and have a place to stay.
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
Ah dang! Wish you would have been layed over in Dallas! I’m not THAT far from Dallas—I’d have driven to keep you company! Good luck tomorrow. π
Gina G says
So sorry Julie, tomorrow is a new day and im sure it will be great! π
Lissy says
That’s such BS that they didn’t have anyone in the airport to help you. I have to work overtime, they should too! That’s such crap!
carlee says
aww! I am so sorry! at least your optimistic!!
and tomorrow u will be back in bed!
2 weeks til your wedding!!!!
laura says
Julie I feel so bad for you! I’m glad that you are safe though and you’ll be back home soon. Have a nice night π
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
oh no! i’m glad you’re safe though! relax tonight π
Bess @ Bess Be Fit says
oh no! I’m sorry about your flight!! And that it was so traumatic…I would have been saying prayers while I was biting all my nails off I’d have been so nervous! At least you’re alright and you’ll see your man and puppy tomorrow π
Sarah-Mae @ Eat, Knit, Run says
Oh no π
This has happened to me before and it totally makes staying at a hotel – which is usually so fun! – into a horrible experience. Hopefully you can find a little bit of joy in another night away from your family.
erica says
omg! that sucks, but better safe than sorry! i had a similar experience where they made us wait and wait and wait and hours later they cancelled the flight and had us running all over the airport trying to make a different flight.
i can’t believe there were no workers to assist everyone! that’s horrible!!!
Ilene says
Aww that’s horrible! π I hope you have a nice extra night in Fresno! and I’m sending you hopes for a safe flight back home tomorrow!
Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice says
I haven’t been around my computer for a few days and looks like I missed out alot! That’s so great that you got to go to California. It looks like so much fun, minus what happened to your flight. That must be so frustrating. Hope you have a good extra night and have a safe flight back.
Diana says
hang in there! nobody would be happy about having to deal with all that on the way home! hope you have a safe trip home!
Tina says
There’s aways a reason behind life’s little detours, as long as you are safe, smile and go with the flow! π
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
I would have freaked out! I can’t believe they told you a red emergency light came on! I would think they would have left it at they needed to land to check something.
Hope you make it back safely and quickly today.
Melissa says
Traveling headaches are the WORST! The airlines are never any help either–it’s SO frustrating! At least you got to meet a bunch of wonderful bloggers, had an amazing tour of the POM facilities, got to eat fabulous food, & made your first ‘How To’ video on this trip! Glad you are safe & will be even happier when you are back in Orlando where you belong! Safe travels home!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
How scary! I won’t ever fly American Airlines again, long story. I’m so glad they turned around though and that you’re safe. I’m so sorry you have to deal with all of that Julie.
I be back for later post. haha Sorry I couldn’t help myself! I love that sign, too funny!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life says
Awww Julie, I totally feel your pain! I had to deal with a ton of flight issues this past August when I was flying out to Chicago. It’s definitely not fun.
Just do what I did…PEOPLE WATCH. It’s probably the best, free entertainment you can get in an airport. π
Good Luck & Safe Travels!
christina cadden says
That sucks. I hope you get to fl out today without any troubles.
Kate says
Oh no that’s awful. Traveling can be so frustrating sometimes! Last spring break one of our connection flights was changed without notice which was REALLY annoying, since we were supposed to be flying back Sunday night and home in time to go back to school the next day. And over this past Christmas break my luggage was lost on the way home from Disney World π Hiccups are bound to happen but it’s tough when it messes with your scheduled plans, and it seems like the airlines are never very helpful in getting it all sorted out. FIngers crossed everything goes well today.
Amber K says
How ridiculous!
A Canadian Foodie says
Thank GOD you are safe. Better safe and better a bummer of a day than no more days. What an experience.
Big hug!
Valerie
heather says
awwwww, i wasn’t reading your blog back then. we would’ve taken care of you here in fresno! don’t be turned off of the fresno airport in the future. i’ve always liked it since moving here but they’ve even renovated it since then. i’ve grown up flying, and it’s just a nice and calm compared to other airports.