Jerusalem 2011 Day 1

Jerusalem Blog Day 1
10.50
As our plane was rushing along the runway + about to take off from Frankfurt airport, the pilot suddenly braked hard + the plane came to a halt (they didn't say 'brace, brace, but I did anyway)
The pilot explained that he had spotted a possible fault in the landing gear and moreover that the brakes had now become hot + the fire brigade had to cool them down.
So we are now still on the runway, the fire brigade have cooled the brakes + the ground crew are checking the landing gear.
No word yet about what will happen next.
11.40
We are still on the runway.
The crew have now checked the landing gear + it's ok. But there's some other minor problem caused by the sudden braking + they're fixing that now.
The pilot is confident we can continue on our way soonish (20-30 mins)


11.58
Reverse was damaged in one engine after the aborted take-off. They tried to fix it but haven't been able to.
They have to send for a replacement part, but that will take quite a while, so they have to bring us back to the terminal and put us on another plane.
12.30
The terminal is so full that they have no room for the people from our plane. They have asked us to wait on the plane and they will move us directly from one plane to the other.
As it is Friday, some of the people on the plane are concerned that they will not arrive in time for Shabat, which begins at 6pm and is the time they should begin their evening prayers. The airline had still hoped that we could arrive in time for this even if the plane had a considerable delay, but some passengers are concerned + want to disembark.
Buses have now come to collect the passengers who want to disembark, and we have been told that anyone who gets off the plane now will not be let back on this flight. While they are getting the other plane ready, those of us who will still travel on Tel Aviv will be served lunch on board this plane one the runway before we move.
My colleagues Myriam, Vera and I will follow up our lunch with the little individual portions of birthday cake that they gave us at boarding this morning to celebrate the 75th birthday of the airport. We shared a joke with the airport staff at the time because yesterday was Myriam's birthday (although not her 75th!!!) + they said we could celebrate both the birthdays at the same time
Estimated arrival time in Tel Aviv is now 7pm, rather than 3pm.
13.26
The promised lunch has been cancelled - or at least postponed until further notice! Lufthansa have heard from Tel Aviv that if the plane doesn't take off within an hour and a half the airport in Tel Aviv will be closed for the evening.
So, in order to ensure a take-off slot they are going to move us straight away (now a relative term!) to the other aircraft and will then feed us once in the air.
14.10
The saga continues........
We should have arrived in Tel Aviv by now, but still haven't moved from the runway at Frankfurt airport. Lufthansa has decided that they can't make the move in time, so they are now taking us off the plane.
First class were told they would be taken off so they could go to a special lounge where they wouldn't have to go through security again.
The rest of us are ready to revolt. I was going to say air rage, but of course the chances of seeing the air are fairly slim at present. Latest news is that Tel Aviv airport will be closed for three hours this afternoon, so we won't even leave Frankfurt until 4.45pm. They won't let us off the plane yet + have given us nothing to eat, but promise that once we get to the new gate they will feed us there. What they haven't told us is whether we will have to pass through security again to get there!!!!
14.25
Four hours after the aborted take-off we have finally been allowed to get off the plane + at least we got some fresh air on the walk to the bus. Who knows what will await us now when we get to the terminal? We will have missed our initial meetings by the time we arrive, but some of our colleagues who were travelling from other airports will be able to meet the people + we can catch up on business later.
14.45
I spoke too soon. We are still on the bus at this farce gets worse and worse. The bus drove around the terminal for a while and then stopped. Now no one appeared to know what was what as the driver got off + then + then off again. The driver has just told us that when the space upstairs at the is completely empty we will be allowed to get out.
15.42
The promised lunch turned out to be a sandwich + a banana but at least we've now been fed. I am holding off on any comment on other than the immediate circumstances in the airport until we have arrived and I have more to say.