When Things don't Go as Planned

I was on a plane on the weekend that was sick. That was clear as we sat on the taxiway and the on-board computer wouldn't reboot. I guess that's an important bit as it took 45 minutes of trying. (must run Windows). I'd have thought there were redundant systems but whatever. The good news was that we didn't have to return to the gate and we were able to take off. Or so we thought.

About 10 minutes into the flight I noticed we weren't climbing anymore. Flying at about 12,000 feet we cruised over the white countryside and when the engines relaxed (ok, not a technical term, it conjures up your bowels, not Pratt & Whitney thrust) and I popped on the map program on the screen in front of me. Now, I was on Air Canada and they do have great inflight A/V options so I spooled through various map views and saw us turn to the north. Not the right direction to our destination. Interestingly, I knew there was an issue about 10 minutes before the crew said a thing. Turns out this time the flaps wouldn't retract. (they aren't controlled by a computer perchance, are they ?) That meant we couldn't access some relatively vital control surfaces. (these matter on airplanes I've heard rumoured). Anyway, to cut a long blog short, it meant we landed again back at our origin after 45 minutes of burning off fuel and flying about in awkward circles. We went in very fast as landing profiles go for this plane type, and so got the firetrucks on the runway to meet us. A real-life emergency landing. Better safe than sorry I say, but I'll admit something about it struck me as odd. We stopped, dead stopped on the runway - wing flippers in the air and just sat there. I did wonder about this as the urgency was for the fire dept. to check brake temperature - not remove passengers from the molten brakes 3 feet below the JetA1 containers. You'll be pleased to read the brakes were fine. Phew! I can tell you were concerned (for the brakes).

The balance of the story is mundane. A new airplane was found but not the crew for it. The passengers going beyond the airplane's destination (including yours truly) were left to their own devices and the mercy of the destination ground crew. Happily for me it wasn't my first rodeo, but it did make my 6 hour trip into one lasting 12 hours. Quite a first world issue and not worth whinging about.

It's ok though. I got a free sandwich from the airline. I have to say though, I wonder what they did for the brakes on the other plane ? You know - to make them feel better too.