It was July 2006, I've arrived at Beijing. I was going to the airport to return to JFK. I've arrived at the airport at Noon. Then the airplane got delayed for three hours. I got a bite to eat and checked into the Gate. I took my carry on to the plane. I sat down and the plane started moving on the tarmac.
Two hours later, I am on the plane. The plane is stuck on the tarmac.Babies are crying like a coyote and the airplane was as dry as the desert. Iwould stop drinking water. That plane was a nightmare.
The pilot came on the PA and announced that the passengers will be getting off the plane and relocated to another gate. (It was rumored that the wings of the plane were in need of maintenance or repair.)
Air China had prepared a meal, but they spoke in English and then Chinese. It was difficult to hear them and the result was that some people didn't eat.
Air China, the state owned airlines industry, made a second mistake. They were giving out refunds for the tickets. They spoke in Chinese. The Americans didn't understand. The result was that they didn't get their refunds. Now we are changing gates to board the plane.
Thirty minutes later, I am on the plane. The plane is at the gate. The plane didn't move an inch. The pilot said that the radar was broken and needed to be fixed. (Everybody got off the plane and into the gate.)The plane was fixed five hours later. The plane was boarding passengers at 1:00 AM. From Noon to Midnight is 12 hours. I have waited in the plane and airport for 12 hours.
Lesson # 1 : Never ride Air China because its planes are always delayed. I had a three hour delay going to china from JFK.
