What I Gained from a Four-Hour Airport Delay

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

The March 29 PR Dude post, which chronicled our spring break trip to Tucson, featured commentary and images that highlighted a wonderful vacation experience. One topic I did not reference was our time before and after we were in the air.

That’s because both the departure and return flights were flawless: On time, a moderate amount of “rough air,” and lacking any kind of disruption. The way we hope all airplane travel should be. 

Well, earlier this week, I had to travel by air to the mid-South for a public relations-oriented set of meetings at a major university.  The initial flight to Nashville International Airport was fine; but it was the return trip April 2 that had some proverbial bumps in the journey.  And, that experience — four hours of delay coupled with lots of uncertainty — is what inspired what follows. 

Our scheduled 10 am departure on American Airlines flight 4160 boarded late; then, after we left the gate, we were parked on the tarmac for an hour. The reason: Severe storms across metropolitan Chicago prevented the scheduled take-off. Then, a message from the cockpit: We had to return to the gate, leave the plane, and refuel.  The prospect of the flight being canceled, which may have resulted in a night or longer in Nashville, was real.

But eventually, we departed and landed at O’Hare International Airport. Here are random thoughts on observations and insight during my extended time onboard flight 4160 and at BNA.

• Fellow Passenger Behavior:  Everyone took the delay in stride.  I did not observe any loud outbursts or rude behavior. In recent years I’ve read about morons causing trouble at airports and on aircraft; fortunately, that was not the case here.
• Team American Airlines:  The pilots, flight attendants, and ground crew were professional, courteous, and straightforward.  While waiting on the tarmac, a stirring message from the flight attendant in the first-class cabin: “We have a sick passenger!  I need help!” The attendant in the main cabin scurried to the front of the plane to offer assistance; and, fortunately, the sick passenger was able to de-plane later.
• What to do During a Delay:  Most of my fellow passengers were engaged with their handhelds or laptops.  Yes, I checked messages occasionally, but I also enjoyed reading a Nature Conservancy magazine, learning about environmental initiatives in England, Louisville, Long Island, and across Appalachia. Print reading material really helped me pass the time.
• Things I Observed:  Many travelers today employ cool, hard-shell modern rolling suitcases. I stood out with my vintage green fabric Dakota model, which has served me well for decades. Also, I observed two fellow passengers with that nervous foot twitch.  Could that be an exercise?
• About the Weather: Known as Weather Boy at home, I regularly viewed Chicago weather updates that day on my tablet. I could see the strong storms across the metro area were moving east. 

As a former newsman, I frequently take mental notes on events and activities around me. Those four hours at BNA could be perceived as “time wasted.” But rather than scowl and complain about a situation that transcended any solutions on my part, I observed what was happening and scribbled down notes on what took place on the airplane and in the terminal gate.

To visualize what took place, here are a few images.

Look close and you’ll see the one agent working at the boarding area at gate T1. Later she was supported by two other agents.

Note the uncertainty on the faces of some fellow travelers as we waited for word on whether our AA Flight 4160 would finally depart for Chicago.

The mother and child made here at left, like all of the passengers on that flight, made the best of the time before wheels up.

We’re boarding! The gate agents first boarded those who needed assistance before the announcement was made for boarding by groups.

As of this writing, I have no immediate plans to board a jet and fly to a destination. But should a major delay surface during my next trip via air, I believe I’ll be acclimated should a delay arise. And, perhaps I’ll garner another topic for this blog.