TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin AA leaving late

Friends have an 8:00am flight to MIA from SXM. Still on the tarmac at 9:00. Going to be a tough connection in MIA.

Wonder why it's late? Doesn't that plane sit on the tarmac over night in SXM?

Estimated departure 2:30PM. Don't leave the departure area in case that changes. I would have put an LOL in there, but it's not funny.

Hmmm..yes I would say the connection has issues

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Delayed "405 minutes"

[color:"black"]oops..sorry for the repeat post <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />.guess I don't type fast enough[/color]

Crap. What's the problem? Mechanical?

There are only two possibilities, Mechanical or Crew. It's possible that a required crew member is ill or injured, and they're waiting on a replacement to ferry in. Or Mechanical, and they're waiting on a part.

Thisis what the PJIA website presently has under departures...probably shouldn't be a a 1st choice to check your flight

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

It pulled away from the jetway. Turned around with tail to airport and then a stairway was brought to the cockpit. Stairs left and plane is just sitting there with no jetway connected to the plane.

Pilot hungover??

Well, wait, did the passengers get on the plane? They're surely not on the plane and it's not supposed to leave until 2 PM?

At least it's not weather related so they should get some compensation on both ends (food/hotel if needed)

Also...I think the new rules regarding tarmac delays (travelers rights) applies only to domestic US flights

Didn't see anybody going down the stairway. Might have missed it but we only didn't watch for 5min from our room. Would take longer than that to deplane all those passengers.

Now that I think about that PJIA was correct. It did depart on time (pushed away)...the delay occurred AFTER departure from the gate

Holy crap. I can't imagine they will keep them on the plane until 2 PM!!

I doubt the passengers are aboard, PJIA most likely wanted the gate open and AA will either return to the gate for boarding when they determine departure time or board with stairs.

AA flight status website reports #1369 delayed until 2:30. Arriving 5:42. No explanation.

OK, sorry, I thought Scubaman said his friends had actually gotten on the plane. Hopefully not. I have to assume not, or they got off.

Not sure on that part. Plane left the gate on time and taxied a bit. Then turned back to the airport and reparked. Never saw anybody deplane. Another newer AA plane came in an hour ago. Let passengers off. Sat for a while then left and parked down the airport. Strange day.

Flightaware.com now says departure at 3 p.m.

Actually left at 419pm...for a 732pm arrival

Hmmm.why does it take 3 hours 13 minutes to fly to MIA and 19 minutes more to fly all the way to BOS

It takes 30 minutes less to fly JAX/JFK that JFK/JAX, downhill perhaps?

wind perhaps?

In April, our flight was to depart at 2:30pm SXM - Phil, we had 1:10 connection time to clear and recheck. When we got to the gate in SXM, we had the "delayed" board. Talked to the US Airways/AA reps, but they knew nothing, said it would be handled in Phl. We finally took off 1 1/2 hours late, got to Phl and they met us at the gate "here are your tickets for tomorrow and here is a room voucher for tonight, now hurry and make your plane". We had a terrific wheel chair gal who grabbed a baggage guy who did the recheck, we made it to the plane as they were closing the doors, so happy to make that plane!! Luggage did not show up til the next evening, but that was ok, we were home. We always seem to be late on US Airways, have overnight in CLT several times. The place is ok, but we just want to get home! Envy you east coasters!

I know I haven't finished my morning coffee yet but...they met you on arrival, gave you food and hotel vouchers ..and..told you to hurry and make your flight...which you did?

I've done that rush to the gate a few times but can't figure out why they would delay you intentionally on arrival while they flipped through vouchers to find yours for a flight that you possibly could make rather than you just rushing to the gate AND THEN dealing with the issue if needed.

Obviously I've missed something here....won't be the first time <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Actually it's due to the long taxi to the takeoff runway at JFK as well as the heavy traffic, neither exists at JAX.

Exactly. The flight begins when they back away from the jetway, and ends when they arrive at the next one.

Correct...so it should be a LONGER flight time to JFK....not 12 minutes for the added 1300 miles AND all the above...

edited to add..never mind. I see it was referring to a different flight than the OP

So, Scubaman, did you hear anything from your friends yet? Would be interested as to whether they ever got on the plane and how they eventually made out, going home..

Carol, I was wondering the same thing. I hope the passengers were not trapped on that plane for over 4 hours.

What we heard from their daughter is that the plane left at 4:19 and they had to rebook a connection to Chicago. They are going to email or text us tomorrow with the full story. I'll post what I find out then.

OK, thanks. I do hope they weren't stuck on that plane for hours. Leaving SXM in June 2014, we were stuck on the plane on the tarmac for something like two hours and it was extremely uncomfortable.

Yes, we made our flight, they were standing at the doors when we got there and called out our name. We boarded and got a pre takeoff drink which was very welcome. But I tell you, that whole flight from SXM to PHL, I was totally stressed, I have been on flights in the past to CLT and knew we would be overnighting, but this time, the uncertainty, left me breathless. We are on United for the next few trips and hopefully, we will have no problems.

What was the reason you were so late leaving sxm? Did you board the plane on time and then sit on the plane until take off, or were you allowed to deplane?

No, the plane was not there, it arrived an hour late into SXM- full plane, they got everyone off and turned it around in a half an hour, boarding was total chaos, everyone was crowded by the door, no handicap or first boarding call.

I'm still confused. I thought there was a 4 hour delay?? Did you have to sit on the plane waiting to taxi?

Elen777 is referring to an issue she had in April. Not the recent AA flight

Sorry, I thought you were on the flight the original poster (SXMScubaman) was referring to - AA 1369. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Sorry for the confusion, I was just chiming in with my recent experience. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/sorry.gif" alt="" />

AA 1369 had a 8+ hour delay. Still waiting for details from our friends on that flight.