DIL stuck on the plane at the gate for an hour and a half and counting

[RMAMom]

DDIL is flying from Charlotte NC with her 2 and 4 yr old. They were supposed to take off at 2:45 but were delayed for maintenance. Every 15 min they update the departure time for 15 min later. The problem is they boarded them at 3:30 and they are just sitting at the gate! How long can they keep them there? whats the best way to try and rebook them if/when they cancel the flight. There is a 10:20 flight out that has availability and I would love to get them on it if they cancel.

She is on US Airways if it makes a difference.

 

[DebbieB]

DDIL is flying from Charlotte NC with her 2 and 4 yr old. They were supposed to take off at 2:45 but were delayed for maintenance. Every 15 min they update the departure time for 15 min later. The problem is they boarded them at 3:30 and they are just sitting at the gate! How long can they keep them there? whats the best way to try and rebook them if/when they cancel the flight. There is a 10:20 flight out that has availability and I would love to get them on it if they cancel.

She is on US Airways if it makes a difference.

I think the max is 3 hours. I've been stuck on USAirways, usually they will deplane if they think it will be long. They will probably automatically rebook starting with their preferred members. I don't think you can rebook her until they officially cancel it. I doubt they will, typically they will get it out, especially at a hub. They usually have spare planes they can use at a hub, which Charlotte is.

 

[sam_gordon]

DDIL is flying from Charlotte NC with her 2 and 4 yr old. They were supposed to take off at 2:45 but were delayed for maintenance. Every 15 min they update the departure time for 15 min later. The problem is they boarded them at 3:30 and they are just sitting at the gate! How long can they keep them there? whats the best way to try and rebook them if/when they cancel the flight. There is a 10:20 flight out that has availability and I would love to get them on it if they cancel.

She is on US Airways if it makes a difference.

I'm pretty sure the limit they can keep someone on the plane is 3 hours (not positive).

As far as rebooking, I'm guessing USAir is probably all over it. In June, we were flying with Delta when our plane had mechanical problems. An hour after our departure time we were still at the gate. Checking their mobile App, Delta had already rebooked my family.

 

[RMAMom]

Thank you! I knew there was a limit to the time but I didn't know what it was.

DDIL just texted and said they just closed the door but hadn't addressed the passengers, I checked the website and it says Awaiting Takeoff.
Two and a half hours on the plane at dinner time with toddlers, poor DDIL. They should land around 7:30 probably tired and hungry! LOL!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Also time starts at the end of boarding or something like that, not from small child preloading. Which is why when I travel with small kids I check everything I can and board as late as possible LOL

 

[RMAMom]

Well they went from awaiting boarding back to delayed and they have stopped updating the flight times. It's currently 6:30 here and the last update was an estimated 5:45 take off. I am starting to doubt that I am going to see me grandchildren today.

 

[MartyM]

Have you had an update? Did they get an equipment change? I hate flying from CLT, US Air and Delta being two of the big reasons.

I hope that people are giving your little ones the benefit of the doubt when they might be ornery during the wait. I know that I have been guilty of feeling frustrations with the children on the plane during delays. Folks, including myself, should remember how tough those first few times travelling by plane were when we were very young.

 

[jsilvers]

I'm pretty sure the limit they can keep someone on the plane is 3 hours (not positive).

There is a 3-hour rule for domestic flights and a 4-hour rule for international flights. But - the rules only apply if passengers aren't allowed to deplane. If passengers are allowed to deplane, there is no time limit as to how long they can be kept waiting. See 14 C.F.R. § 259.4(b).

 

[DebbieB]

Looks like it arrived in PHL at 7:16pm (assuming US 1578).

 

[sam_gordon]

There is a 3-hour rule for domestic flights and a 4-hour rule for international flights. But - the rules only apply if passengers aren't allowed to deplane. If passengers are allowed to deplane, there is no time limit as to how long they can be kept waiting. See 14 C.F.R. § 259.4(b).

I understood that. Which is I said how long they can "keep someone on the plane". If they keep delaying for 15 minutes, I'm assuming they're not allowing people to deplane. My only doubt was the time limit.

 

[Disflyer]

Also time starts at the end of boarding or something like that, not from small child preloading. Which is why when I travel with small kids I check everything I can and board as late as possible LOL

The 3 hour clock starts at door close, up to the close of the door passengers can deplane at any time.

 

[crashbb]

Thank you! I knew there was a limit to the time but I didn't know what it was.

DDIL just texted and said they just closed the door but hadn't addressed the passengers, I checked the website and it says Awaiting Takeoff.
Two and a half hours on the plane at dinner time with toddlers, poor DDIL. They should land around 7:30 probably tired and hungry! LOL!

The 3 hour clock starts at door close, up to the close of the door passengers can deplane at any time.

And, it looks like they didn't close the door for quite a while.