PHL - Philadelphia International Airport is the mystery meat of airports. It's packaging is interesting but once you bite into it you never know what you're going to get.
Case in point. On one of our recent trips, Amy and I we're flying into PHL on a US Airways flight. We fly with US AIR, or a Star Alliance code share partner as often as possible. Our Dividend Miles account is a Godsend, given how frequently we're in the air. US AIR upgrades us to First Class on over 90% of our trips. When you travel as often as we do, every little perk is particularly appreciated. BTW - I'm presently seated on a US AIR 767 in coach. That dreaded 10% has to happen sometime.
Back to the meat - So, we're flying into Philly when our pilot announces that we'll be arriving 30 minutes earlier than expected. Amy and I are stunned! If you've ever flown into Philly you know why. PHL is notorious for delays. Flights, bags, even the toilets flush slow at this airport! We were shocked to be arriving early. Oh, but don't start celebrating yet.
We descend over the Walt Whitman Bridge, downtown Philadelphia's lights twinkling over to the west. The night is crisp, clear, and full of promise - and we're going to be able to enjoy an additional thirty minutes of it's pleasure. The runway is in sight. Touch down. We're giddy! The entire plane, apparently full of veteran PHL nomads, comes alive with the unexpected thrill of an early arrival at this clogged drain of aviation architecture.
We taxi. The terminal is growing larger through the plane's windows. Closer. Closer... And we stop... about 20 feet short of the jet bridge. Hmmm? An uncomfortable moment of silence passes and then comes the announcement, "Ladies and Gentleman. From the flight deck this is your Captain. We're happy to welcome you to Philadelphia thirty minutes earlier than expected. Uh... Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a push-back crew available to get us up to the gate...sooo, we'll be parking here until a crew can be found."
Ok. No big deal. We're still early. What's a couple of minutes on the tarmac going to ruin? The night is still young. Well, a couple of minutes pass… and then a few more… and then another ten. And another. The natives on this flight were getting restless. We could almost reach out the windows of the plane and touch the terminal, but a pushback crew no one could see!
Finally, 45 minutes later, we have a crew and wheel in to the gate. We're now 15 minutes late. Only at PHL can you arrive 30 minutes early and still be 15 minutes late. It is the mystery meat of airports. One other note. The reason I've had time to jot down this little story while sitting here on a 767... I'm heading back to PHL and am on an ATC delay in CLT once again sitting on the tarmac. I wonder what's for dinner?






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