Getting on the wrong plane
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Getting on wrong plane
It has happened to me. Back in 1985 I was booked on a Saudia flight from Riyadh to London Heathrow. It was a a particularly busy time of year so an additional flight was put on to supplement the scheduled one. I can't remember which of the two I was allocated to now, but I seem to remember the flight numbers were very similar, either differing by 1 digit or a suffix letter. Anyway, departure times for such flights were scheduled for on or soon after midnight. Due to a sandstorm all flights were delayed leading to some confusion, and when the flight(s) were announced, I duly boarded what I believed was my flight. It was only when I was challenged by another boarding passenger, who claimed I was occupying their seat, that it transpired I was on the wrong flight. So as well as my carelessness, the ground staff and cabin crew had failed to prevent me boarding the right aircraft. Thankfully all was resolved and I eventually reached London, albeit a few hours later than scheduled.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,332
Likes: 486
From: England
Years ago, when AirUK had the F27, several aircraft would be parked on the same bit of pier (no airbridges). I was operating the flight to Leeds and when all the pax were aboard it transpired that that we had the pax and bags for Teeside and vice versa. The easiest solution was to swap the flight deck and cabin crews around, which is what we did.
Joined: Sep 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 578
Likes: 180
From: Northampton, England
Circa 1985 Mrs A to be and I were flying LUT - AGP with Monarch. There was also a Britannia flight doing same route at same time.
Boarded the 757 and was idly watching a (Virgin?) Viscount being started on next stand when it became apparent that CC were having a 'flap'. Repeated trips up and down cabin counting heads, comparing notes and conversing with dispatcher. Eventually there was a request to check tickets etc and a young woman down the back was deboarded and went back through the terminal to board the BY737 further down the apron.
Boarded the 757 and was idly watching a (Virgin?) Viscount being started on next stand when it became apparent that CC were having a 'flap'. Repeated trips up and down cabin counting heads, comparing notes and conversing with dispatcher. Eventually there was a request to check tickets etc and a young woman down the back was deboarded and went back through the terminal to board the BY737 further down the apron.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: South East Cornwall
This is on the beeb today - not sure if it is recent or not...
BBC News - Passenger put on the wrong plane to the wrong country
BBC News - Passenger put on the wrong plane to the wrong country
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,844
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
The report is listed today and has this text:
The pax gives a lucid story of what happened. He sounds very laid back and reasonable about it no mention was made of his having to pay for the error and the question was not asked. Sounds like it was sorted out well.
A 19-year-old surfer who wanted to travel to the south of France ended up in Sweden after he caught the wrong flight at Stansted Airport.
Toby Donachie said that his ticket was inspected twice before he boarded, and Ryanair have promised to look into the incident to ensure it does not happen again.
Toby Donachie said that his ticket was inspected twice before he boarded, and Ryanair have promised to look into the incident to ensure it does not happen again.
