Paul's blog

15:05 departure, didn't depart! DOH! Now showing 19:00 departure, which I would think is a 'finger in the air guess'.

This is how it went (imagine my parts as a conversation in my head)...

Me: Yay! On the plane, got a bulkhead row, loads of room. Sweet!
Me: Phew, quite warm on here, 15:05 now, I guess we'll be going soon.
Me: Yay, pushing back off the stand! Sweet!
Me: Wait, hang on, we're going back onto the stand, that's not right!
Captain: This is your captain, please don't be alarmed about the fire engines, it's just a precaution as we have fluid leaking from one of our engines
Me: WTF! A precaution, that doesn't sound good!
Captain: This is your captain again, the fluid appears to be hydraulic fluid, engineers are investigating, and we are aware the air con is broken and you're really hot. Sorry!
Me: Oh brilliant, way to inspire confidence!
Cabin Crew: distribute cups of water
Captain: Apologies for the delay ladies and gentlemen, we are currently determining whether to try and fix this plane or get another one
Me: Get another one, get another one!
Captain: OK ladies and gentlemen, it's a bit hot on here so we're offloading you into the terminal.
Me: Oh, brilliant, NOT!
Me: (getting off) - wow, a £5 refreshment voucher, how exciting.
Me: (to desk staff) - can I switch to the 17:30 Seattle flight?
Desk Staff: Only if you have no checked baggage
Me: Bugger!

So far, not great!

EDIT: Forgot to mention that they won't switch baggage to the other flight because, (quote BA guy), 'they'd rather spend the time fixing the plane'. I really hope it's not the baggage handlers fixing the plane!

EDIT 2: Announcement confirming they're fixing this plane, with a new ETD of 19:00.

EDIT 3: 18:15 - Boarding! Hurrah! See you in 9.5 hours ;-)

EDIT 4: Hello from Seattle... finally!

P