As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
Constellation.

I have had many experiences and stories here is one I though I would share
so we all can lighten our day.

I was taking a red-eye from LAX to Boston for a 2:00 PM appointment with an
important customer. This flight was routed through the NEW DFW on A/A. We
left LAX with no problem and got into DFW easily & I boarded the 767 I think
for a 7:00 AM departure.

Problem. Something was wrong with the computers they told us.

It was hot and the flight attendants had the back door open for some air to
circulate. So I was standing there chatting with the flight attendant just
to pass the time. I asked her what was the worst thing that ever happened
to her on a flight.

She asked if I remembered the AA flight 191 the DC 10 (the 3:00 PM flight
from Chicago to LA) which lost an engine and wend down? I said of course I
used to take that flight all the time. She explained their normal procedure
for AA is to change the time and flight number and the time for the next
day. For some reason AA forget to do this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America...nes_Flight_191

She explained then very next day she was part of flight 191 form ORD to LAX
and they had a brand new attendant right out of training in Dallas.

They departed with a Bang (funny noise). A few minutes later to pilot got
on the horn and explained they had lose the hydraulic pressure to the nose
gear steering. The FAA procedure is they would leave the gear down - go out
over Lake Michigan dump most of their fuel and come back in to a runway with
all kinds of crash equipment at the ready. He went on to explain the gear
would stay straight and at landing speeds they steer with the tail (vertical
stabilizer anyway).

Now I don't know about you but I always keep one eye on the crew. If they
start breaking out the Champaign and drinking it themselves and start
playing grabass you know you're in trouble.

As it happens while they were out over the lake dumping fuel and the crash
equipment was getting in place the brand new flight attendant LOST IT!

SHE RAN UP AND DOWN THE AISLES SCREAMING HYSTERICALLY, "WE'RE ALL GOING TO
DIE"

I said, "my god is this true? What was the reaction of the passengers?"
She assured me this was true, they had to physically restrain the new flight
attendant and the passengers, well the passengers simply ignored the
hysterical flight attendant and went about their business as if nothing had
happened. She said it was a deafening silence.

They fixed the computer and off we went to Logan 2 hours late none the worse
for ware.


I am sure you have some stories - care to share?


--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)