Friday
May 21
37,000 Feet above somewhere and headed south! We had shaky start to our long awaited getaway. After the door was closed, the Captain announced that we would have to sit as they completed some maintenance paperwork. Being an ex-aviator, I agreed with that decision. Unfortunately the Captain mumbled so badly I could not detect what was the maintenance issue. I just kept hearing safety of flight (good thing) and fuel pump (bad thing), but the FAA had released us.
As we taxied away from the gate all things came to a stop as Capt. Mumbles came back online talking about God knows what, and then I heard Fuel Pump again. Evidently some one in the safety of flight chain of command decided we need more fuel. Hmmmmmmmmm… More fuel was added and we taxied away form the ramp area. Then the plane stopped again….
Silence… Time goes by…. Silence… Time goes by… Big Tom is not happy!
Capt Mumbles comes on and my ears have now been fined tuned to his lack of oratory skills. “Well we have an abnormal warning light that is related to our fuel pump problem…but… our mechanics and the FAA inspector agree that it is not a safety of flight issue and has released us to go to Puerto Rico one more time.
Not sure if anybody has looked at a map lately, but there is a lot of blue space between Washington DC and San Juan. Now I was confused. Should I scream let me off this plane, or scream yee hah we are underway to the blue water. There was also a third option which I decided was the best . I remained silent, closed the window shutter, and began reciting Hail Mary Full of Grace.
My confidence of a safe arrival grew when I heard the Copilot, with clear diction just announce that we are 24 minutes from San Juan.
After a few of those wonderful frozen coconut and pineapple drinks and gate change in San Juan we began the final leg. Yep, delayed again… Evidently there was a problem locating a crew. After a 45 minute wait we were herded into an American Eagle Turbo Prop and the pilot taxied to the runway at 45 to 50 mph. No kidding! He was accelerating around the final turn and I swear the front wheel was off the ground before we completely straight on the runway. 19 minutes from SJU gate to the STT gate! We have traveled here many times, but never from San Juan to St Thomas in such a short period of time.
All of us had carry on luggage so we quickly grabbed a taxi to Red Hook, bought a ferry ticket and cleared STT in less than hour - no worries no problems.
Our arrival in St John was toasted with some Mango Rum at the ferry dock.
May 21
37,000 Feet above somewhere and headed south! We had shaky start to our long awaited getaway. After the door was closed, the Captain announced that we would have to sit as they completed some maintenance paperwork. Being an ex-aviator, I agreed with that decision. Unfortunately the Captain mumbled so badly I could not detect what was the maintenance issue. I just kept hearing safety of flight (good thing) and fuel pump (bad thing), but the FAA had released us.
As we taxied away from the gate all things came to a stop as Capt. Mumbles came back online talking about God knows what, and then I heard Fuel Pump again. Evidently some one in the safety of flight chain of command decided we need more fuel. Hmmmmmmmmm… More fuel was added and we taxied away form the ramp area. Then the plane stopped again….
Silence… Time goes by…. Silence… Time goes by… Big Tom is not happy!
Capt Mumbles comes on and my ears have now been fined tuned to his lack of oratory skills. “Well we have an abnormal warning light that is related to our fuel pump problem…but… our mechanics and the FAA inspector agree that it is not a safety of flight issue and has released us to go to Puerto Rico one more time.
Not sure if anybody has looked at a map lately, but there is a lot of blue space between Washington DC and San Juan. Now I was confused. Should I scream let me off this plane, or scream yee hah we are underway to the blue water. There was also a third option which I decided was the best . I remained silent, closed the window shutter, and began reciting Hail Mary Full of Grace.
My confidence of a safe arrival grew when I heard the Copilot, with clear diction just announce that we are 24 minutes from San Juan.
After a few of those wonderful frozen coconut and pineapple drinks and gate change in San Juan we began the final leg. Yep, delayed again… Evidently there was a problem locating a crew. After a 45 minute wait we were herded into an American Eagle Turbo Prop and the pilot taxied to the runway at 45 to 50 mph. No kidding! He was accelerating around the final turn and I swear the front wheel was off the ground before we completely straight on the runway. 19 minutes from SJU gate to the STT gate! We have traveled here many times, but never from San Juan to St Thomas in such a short period of time.
All of us had carry on luggage so we quickly grabbed a taxi to Red Hook, bought a ferry ticket and cleared STT in less than hour - no worries no problems.
Our arrival in St John was toasted with some Mango Rum at the ferry dock.
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