Altercation: A Brief Diversion to Taipei
According to the map on the screen, the plane was above Dagupan city and only about 20 minutes away from Manila. It was just like any other time I checked the flight map during the trip; I looked at it, saw where we were and the time, and just thought "thank goodness" every time we got nearer. But after I closed out the map, I felt something weird happen. The plane felt like it was turning in a spiral, turning to one direction. At first I thought it was just getting ready to land properly a bit early. But as the turning continued, my doubts grew. Then I checked the map and saw the plane over the same place about 5 minutes later. It had the exact same estimated arrival time on it, and that went on for about 10-15 minutes.
Finally, we got an explanation from the pilot. It turned out a Saudia Boeing 747-400 operating SV871 to Riyadh was taxiing for departure when its right wheels on the wing and fuselage decided to skid off the taxiway on to muddy ground at around 7pm. Everyone eventually found out the plane had come off the taxiway because of the recent heavy rains that hit Manila. But, in the mean time, airport staff and ground-crew was hard at work to remove the plane from the airfield, runways and taxiways, but it all meant the airport had to be closed to flights for a (long) while. And because Manila's runways intersect, both of them had to be closed, putting all operations at a standstill.
Because of the disruption in operations, many inbound planes were ordered to divert Manila for the time being and land elsewhere in the area. Our pilot had decided to make a brief stop in Taipei, Taiwan. In his message, he told everyone that everything would be fine and to remain calm, especially because the plane had four engines. Personally, I wouldn't have panicked at all with or without that message, most notably the part about the plane having four engines, but due to many incidents earlier in the year, especially with Malaysia Airlines Flights 370 and 17, I could understand why putting that in was best to reassure other passengers.
Amazingly, there was pretty much no complaints or extreme behavior and reaction from any of the passengers on broad, in the economy section at the back of the plane I was in at least. In fact, I think most people were sleeping at that moment and kind of took the news as an excuse to sleep some more. It would take us an hour to reach Taipei Taoyuan Intl Airport, an hour there to wait for better news and to check over the jet, and an hour to get back. All in all, the diversion would cost everyone 3 hours. Everyone was calm on approach to Taiwan, and I was pretty impressed to see the lights of the night below.
Once we landed and taxied to a gate, there was a little more chatting and moving around. Everyone was pretty much calm, which was a great help. Although some were just complaining about how ridiculous it was that a plane would just suddenly run off the runway, most conversations were much more conventional.
Finally, we got an explanation from the pilot. It turned out a Saudia Boeing 747-400 operating SV871 to Riyadh was taxiing for departure when its right wheels on the wing and fuselage decided to skid off the taxiway on to muddy ground at around 7pm. Everyone eventually found out the plane had come off the taxiway because of the recent heavy rains that hit Manila. But, in the mean time, airport staff and ground-crew was hard at work to remove the plane from the airfield, runways and taxiways, but it all meant the airport had to be closed to flights for a (long) while. And because Manila's runways intersect, both of them had to be closed, putting all operations at a standstill.
Because of the disruption in operations, many inbound planes were ordered to divert Manila for the time being and land elsewhere in the area. Our pilot had decided to make a brief stop in Taipei, Taiwan. In his message, he told everyone that everything would be fine and to remain calm, especially because the plane had four engines. Personally, I wouldn't have panicked at all with or without that message, most notably the part about the plane having four engines, but due to many incidents earlier in the year, especially with Malaysia Airlines Flights 370 and 17, I could understand why putting that in was best to reassure other passengers.
Amazingly, there was pretty much no complaints or extreme behavior and reaction from any of the passengers on broad, in the economy section at the back of the plane I was in at least. In fact, I think most people were sleeping at that moment and kind of took the news as an excuse to sleep some more. It would take us an hour to reach Taipei Taoyuan Intl Airport, an hour there to wait for better news and to check over the jet, and an hour to get back. All in all, the diversion would cost everyone 3 hours. Everyone was calm on approach to Taiwan, and I was pretty impressed to see the lights of the night below.
Once we landed and taxied to a gate, there was a little more chatting and moving around. Everyone was pretty much calm, which was a great help. Although some were just complaining about how ridiculous it was that a plane would just suddenly run off the runway, most conversations were much more conventional.
What Happens Now?: Plans will have to Change
When we finally landed in Manila, it didn't take long for everyone to realize it was 3 AM. At that point, the flight was over 6 hours late landing in Manila. Our scheduled landing time was somewhere around 10pm, and the large change in time wreaked havoc on many people's plans, especially that of my family's. We were supposed to stop by in a hotel for a little sleep, but thanks to the diversion and everything, there was no chance of a hotel at all. Like many people stranded, there was a flock to the stores, ticketing lines, service areas or just storming outside in search of accommodations.
Many people we encountered in the terminal were all in the same situation as us; the airport closure and runway delays coupled with their late arrival are spellingchaos to their plans. Our hotel reservation was severely impacted. When we were planning out our original hotel reservation, we planned it assuming we would be on
time, especially between Chicago and Tokyo, and be able to catch the ANA flight to Manila no problem. Because of that, we told the hotel that we expected to arrive in Manila by around 9pm, and expected to be on our way to the hotel, which wasn't that far, by at least 10pm. I think you can tell arriving at 3am botched that.
When my mom called the hotel about our reservation and how we hadn't shown up, I think the hotel actually said we could have the slight opportunity to still go, given
our situation. Considering the option, my parents ultimately decided not to take the offer, because our reservation had us leave by 9am. Staying there for only 6 hours wouldn't really serve any purpose or benefit.
Another reason we decided to go against taking the hotel offer was our desire to look for another flight. I can remember my mom at the Philippine Airlines booking office at the left end of the terminal. Our planned flight to Cagayan de Oro would have left between 10 and noon. Given the fact we had no chance to sleep at all, we found the possibility of taking the next available flight to Cagayan in order to avoid any disruptions. We eventually waited in line for that flight's check in, but until we were lucky with the tickets everyone in the family seemed to be busy. My mom was in charge with trying to buy new plane tickets to Cagayan in the booking office.My dad was helping another Filipina traveler outside who had two large boxes of goods. She apparently came from the Delta flight, and her the box carrying cargo, items, materials and supplies for her family, was severely dented with the tape coming off. Our family usually does that our self, put stuff into boxes for our relatives and send them, so my dad didn't hesitate to help someone else who was doing that. I myself, had to buy water bottles at the 7-Eleven on the leisure level above ticketing,and take on managing my brother while my parents remedied different situations.
Many people we encountered in the terminal were all in the same situation as us; the airport closure and runway delays coupled with their late arrival are spellingchaos to their plans. Our hotel reservation was severely impacted. When we were planning out our original hotel reservation, we planned it assuming we would be on
time, especially between Chicago and Tokyo, and be able to catch the ANA flight to Manila no problem. Because of that, we told the hotel that we expected to arrive in Manila by around 9pm, and expected to be on our way to the hotel, which wasn't that far, by at least 10pm. I think you can tell arriving at 3am botched that.
When my mom called the hotel about our reservation and how we hadn't shown up, I think the hotel actually said we could have the slight opportunity to still go, given
our situation. Considering the option, my parents ultimately decided not to take the offer, because our reservation had us leave by 9am. Staying there for only 6 hours wouldn't really serve any purpose or benefit.
Another reason we decided to go against taking the hotel offer was our desire to look for another flight. I can remember my mom at the Philippine Airlines booking office at the left end of the terminal. Our planned flight to Cagayan de Oro would have left between 10 and noon. Given the fact we had no chance to sleep at all, we found the possibility of taking the next available flight to Cagayan in order to avoid any disruptions. We eventually waited in line for that flight's check in, but until we were lucky with the tickets everyone in the family seemed to be busy. My mom was in charge with trying to buy new plane tickets to Cagayan in the booking office.My dad was helping another Filipina traveler outside who had two large boxes of goods. She apparently came from the Delta flight, and her the box carrying cargo, items, materials and supplies for her family, was severely dented with the tape coming off. Our family usually does that our self, put stuff into boxes for our relatives and send them, so my dad didn't hesitate to help someone else who was doing that. I myself, had to buy water bottles at the 7-Eleven on the leisure level above ticketing,and take on managing my brother while my parents remedied different situations.
Finally Back on Track: Manila to Cagayan De Oro
Securing a change in flight, with a booking for the 8am to Cagayan instead of our planned 11am, we decided to approach the check in counter and wait until our flight was open. It only took an hour or less for that to happen, but our check in specifically had to take quite a longer while, because of our checked baggage. The weight requirements for United Airlines and ANA were less restrictive than those of Philippine Airlines, so we took advantage of that part of the process. For a while, we were negotiating the extra weight fee of the bags, which didn't seem to cost much, because we were paying in Philippine Pesos for this, not dollars.
After clearing check-in, we made it though security and customs with the terminal use fee that Manila administers. Walking towards the gates, we decided to stop for food at a Filipino style eatery. As we began to finish at the eatery, we all realized we needed a change in clothes. It was hard to believe that we had been wearing the same clothes for almost two days, but with the situation from Tokyo, it felt like 3. With that, we took turns going to the bathroom and changing into some newer clothes. I admit, it was finally relieving to get out of that very damp T-Shirt from hours on end of lost sleep, a hot terminal and too many confusing situations.
After clearing check-in, we made it though security and customs with the terminal use fee that Manila administers. Walking towards the gates, we decided to stop for food at a Filipino style eatery. As we began to finish at the eatery, we all realized we needed a change in clothes. It was hard to believe that we had been wearing the same clothes for almost two days, but with the situation from Tokyo, it felt like 3. With that, we took turns going to the bathroom and changing into some newer clothes. I admit, it was finally relieving to get out of that very damp T-Shirt from hours on end of lost sleep, a hot terminal and too many confusing situations.
PR 2521 Takeoff from Manila
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PR 2521 Landing in Cagayan de Oro
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