NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Certain American Airlines flights into the Nashville airport were sitting in the tarmac a lot longer than expected... up to almost 7 hours.
"We eventually get in at around 2:30, and we were sitting in that tarmac until probably about 8:30," Maddox Gates, a passenger, said.
Gates said they were flying in from the LaGuardia airport in New York and were originally told it would only be an hour or two.
However, things did not go according to plan.
"It really wasn't on the staff, the flight crew and the staff, they did everything they could," Gates said.
So then, what happened?
De-icing trucks ran out of fuel.
Not too big of a deal, but then — the valve to refill the de-icing truck froze over, and it couldn't be re-fueled — and American Airline's planes can't depart without de-icing first, according to passenger Hallie Barnwell.
Barnwell sent a text to her family about five hours in talking about the pilot, who said he had been flying for 18 years and never had this happen.
It got worse.
A line of flights in front of their airline was keeping them from moving. The second plan was to get some air stairs to connect to the plane to get the passengers out, however, there was no firm time confirmed as to when the steps would come.
Also, as they were trying to tow the first plane out of the way after dismissing its passengers, the tow bar used to tow the planes broke.
"He (the pilot) also called it a 'comedy of airs'...we were all using comedic relief in the end," Barnwell said. "Everyone was very patient."
Here’s a beautiful story of how one mother turned her grief journey into a gathering of gratitude… and organ donation awareness.
Robb Coles highlights a special event organized by Cari Hollis – whose 26-year old son Austin died two years ago. Austin agreed to be an organ donor – and that single gesture saved multiple lives.
Cari reached out to as many recipients she could find – several of whom traveled to Nashville for an emotional celebration in Austin’s honor. One woman – whose life was saved by receiving Austin’s lungs – put it simply: “He’s my angel”.
- Rhori Johnston
