There are days when the earth appears larger than others! That Friday evening this was particularly the case. The plan was simple: leaving the office on Friday afternoon, a short flight and then a short night on top of Canada and the North Atlantic and arriving on Saturday at home. Not in great shape but ready for a busy Saturday. But this commuting journey did not follow the plan.
Columbus, OH. Friday 7am. It was dark black, thunderstorms darken the sky and rain falls torrent, in short, a nice start to the day. A big bang, then all the lights turned off, its getting worse! Then I start to worry a little for my trip tonight. With such weather flights may be delayed or canceled.
Columbus, OH. Friday 19h. Finally the weather has slightly improved during the day and the flight was nearly on time. I was worried for nothing.
Detroit, MI (Wayne County Airport). Friday 20h. The plane has to land under a pouring rain and the sky was very threatening, but for now the air traffic in normal air.
Detroit, MI (Wayne County Airport). Friday 21h. Boarding the A340, flight AF377, under a pouring rain with lightnings in the distance.
Detroit, MI (Wayne County Airport). 23h Friday (EDT). The aircraft finally left the gate, but after a few minutes the captain said that take-offs are widely spaced, then after 20 minutes waiting on the taxiway indicates that we return to the door off the car heading north is impossible.
Detroit, MI (Wayne County Airport). Saturday 1:25 (EDT). The rain has stopped and the crew said that we can leave and 10 minutes later we're on the runway, engines full throttle for the takeoff.
Above Michigan, Saturday 1:45 (EDT). The aircraft is flying horizontally at 4000 feet or 1200m, this is not normal! Weather or technical problem? My question does not last long because the captain made a statement "following a minor technical problem which is now under control, we must return back to Detroit." Ask an A340, fully loaded with full fuel in the middle of the night in the rain, easy job !!
Detroit, MI (Wayne County Airport). 2h Saturday. We just stopped at the end of the runway with all the firefighters from the airport around us.
Detroit, MI (Wayne County Airport). Saturday 2h30. We stopped on the tarmac until the brakes cool enough to allow the plane to move again. Indeed, they have caught fire during landing, hence the massive presence of firefighters and security of the airport around the plane.
Detroit, MI (Wayne County Airport). Saturday 3:15 (EDT). We are finally towed to the gate and disembarked in the desert terminal. The ground staff distributes coupons for hotel and meals with vague directions to retrieve our luggage. Those who board in Detroit must fend for themselves.
Detroit, MI (Zone hotel from the airport). Saturday 6am. Finally a hotel room and a little rest.
Detroit, MI (Wayne County Airport). Saturday 12:30 (EDT). I was re-routed on a KLM flight to Amsterdam and I arrive at the airport to see how it goes. A few moments of concern as there is nobody to counter Air France and then the world comes to take care of shipwrecked passengers of flight 377.
Detroit, MI (Wayne County Airport). 16h Saturday (EDT). With my KLM ticket, I'm on a Northwest flight operated by Delta aircraft (A330). Thanks to the airline industry consolidation! Good point the flight leaves on time.
Schiphol, Netherlands, Sunday 5 am (CET). We disembark the plane after 7 hours. The night was short. Tour by the lounge for a good breakfast and then faces the controls from the international zone in the EU area. It's a real challenge because it takes an hour minimum to pass the passport control and a new hand baggage checks. Fortunately, there is a special file for those who can not wait any longer.
Schiphol, Netherlands, Sunday 7 am (CET). Off in the direction of Roissy.
Roissy, France, Sunday 8am (CET). Landing of the aircraft.
Yvelines, France, Sunday 9:30 am (CET). Arrival at home after a journey of almost 34h non-stop, 4 take-offs and two nights without sleep. I would not do this to get back from the office every week.
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