What Would You Do If The Pilot Says “We Ran Out Of Gas”?

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“Ladies and Gentleman, we are currently experiencing technical difficulty, when we left Honolulu Airport, the fuel tank was full and now it’s on EMPTY! We have to try to get back into Honolulu. Thank you for your understanding.”

plane running out of fuel, airplane view

Is the announcement I heard on my flight back from Hawaii!

 

3 years ago, I made a solo trip to Hawaii for a week after a bad breakup. I needed some time to think with myself and needed a vacation. Hawaii has always been one of my favorite vacation spots. I spent a week there alone and had the time of my life!

I went hiking, snorkeling, went on a dolphin cruise and swam with sea turtles, relaxed, tanned and met some interesting people. It was a vacation I really needed away from work and from life. I had such a good time that I even called my boss and asked if I could stay a few extra days, which he found funny because when I first told him I wanted to go by myself, he asked me “Aren’t you gonna be so bored?” haha the answer is NEVER! He ended up not letting me stay the extra time I wanted and I was kind of sad about it but came to accept it.

sunset view of hawaii

On the night of my flight, I headed over to Honolulu International Airport to board my flight with American Airlines. I was so sad about leaving Hawaii and going back to reality. After taking off, I quickly fell asleep, as I normally do the moment the plane takes off. The flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles is a 5 hour flight, where you are flying over, nothing but water.  2 and a half hours into the flight, an announcement by the pilot goes on the speakers, “Ladies and Gentleman, we are currently experiencing technical difficulty, when we left Honolulu Airport, the fuel tank was full and now it’s on EMPTY! We have to try to get back into Honolulu. Thank you for your understanding.”

EXCUSE ME?!!?! Wait, WHAT!!! I was half asleep when hearing this! I was in complete shock and trying so hard not to freak out! As the older lady right next to me was crying her eyes out!

I, like most people have that crazy fear in the back of my head of “What if the plane crashed” and to hear that announcement while you are flying over the Pacific Ocean has to be one of the craziest things to ever hear!

amazing sunset view hawaii

People started screaming, crying and completely freaking out, which whether you’re a calm person or not, this is just one of those life experiences that you can’t help but to completely FREAK OUT! The turbulence didn’t help much either. All you can really do is pray that you will make it back safe, which is what the lady next to me and I did.

After a VERY long and scary 2 hours, we FINALLY made it back safe to Honolulu! People were mad and upset, but to be honest, I was pretty excited to be back in Hawaii, after I realized I was safe again! The airline made sure to take care of all of us, providing us with a nice hotel, taxi and food vouchers. Which, let’s be honest, I was pretty happy about! After all, I kinda got my dream come true, in an odd and scary way.

IMG_3054

When I arrived at The Ala Moana Hotel, it was already pretty late and I was given a customer service number to call and re-book my flight for the next day. Of course I had to wait a good 30mins, since everyone else on that flight was calling the same number. I finally got to book my flight for the next day in the evening, which worked out great cause this means I had an extra day of exploring!

So the next day, I rented a bike and rode all over town, went to the Waikiki Aquarium and even had time to go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay before heading back to the airport for a round two. My boss totally thought I made it all up haha, lucky for me, I had the proof to show for it.

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING, THAT’S HAPPENED TO YOU ON A FLIGHT? How would you react if your plane ran out of fuel?

pink flower

 

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6 Responses to What Would You Do If The Pilot Says “We Ran Out Of Gas”?

  1. Um, how does that even happen?! I question the pilot’s honesty in that scenario – “technical difficulties” would have probably been enough info! Glad you got an extra day in the sun 🙂

  2. The craziest thing that has ever happened to me on a flight is all the overhead lockers popping open when we took off. And landed.

    But GOOD GRIEF! I can’t believe the pilot actually told you! And to have a whole two hours to freak out in!

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