Helped Westerdam passengers make it to Seattle today!

[Tapi]

Hi!

 

Just wanted to share a little story. I'm an Airline Captain and this morning, I had the pleasure of flying some passengers headed to Seattle to board the Westerdam.

 

I learned about them 10 minutes prior to departure when one of the gate agents informed me that we were missing 4 passengers who had checked in with luggage but apparently were stuck at the security checkpoint. At that point, 2 of them arrived at the gate out of breath and told us that the other 2 were still held up at the security checkpoint.

 

The agent gave them the choice of going without their friends or all of them could take the next flight available (which would be landing in Seattle at 5:15pm, past the ship's departure time. :()

 

Trying to stall the agent from closing the flight, I chit-chatted with the 2 passengers for a bit who informed me that they were on their way to Alaska aboard the Westerdam (which is the ship I'll be boarding in a few weeks! :D).

 

I took that as a "sign" of some sort and at that point in time, I made the decision to hold the flight as long as possible (without getting in too much trouble). I just couldn't imagine myself in their shoes, about to see their cruise vacation crumble to the ground.

 

I convinced the agent to hold the flight a bit longer and if necessary, to put the delay on me. I had the flight attendants get the cabin ready for departure and the First Officer run performance numbers taking the 4 passengers into account. All we'd need to do would be to close the door once the passengers arrived.

 

With 4 minutes to spare, the last two passengers showed up! We all ran down the jetway and closed the door for an on-time departure! :)

 

If the 4 of you are Cruise Critic members and happen to read this, I hope you have a WONDERFUL time on the Westerdam today! It truly made my day to have been instrumental in getting you there. :)

 

To everyone else: please, please let this story be a reminder to NEVER fly on the day of your cruise! (I did "lecture" these passengers a bit about it too :o)

[sail7seas]

What a NICE MAN YOU ARE!!!!

 

From all us avid cruisers, a GIANT thank you and

Definitely thank you for sharing your story with us.

May you have the best cruise ever on Westerdam!!!! You earned it. :)

 

We sailed Westerdam two weeks over Thanksgiving and week after and really enjoyed the ship. Hope you do as well.

 

[Toad]

You are one amazing captain, and I hope that those passengers see this and thank you! Enjoy your cruise as well!

[Gilligan777]

Hope some great karma is headed your way!

 

I agree, flying on the day of your cruise is not worth the risk...

[Cruising-along]

SO very nice of you! I sure hope they thanked you appropriately. :):)

Flying the day of the cruise is not a good idea, not ever.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You are a wonder!! Not many pilots would do what you did knowing that there could be consequences.

It would be nice if they are CC members and see this thread.

We always fly to embarkation ports 2 or 3 days before a cruise.

If you have never sailed on the Westerdam, she is a lovely ship and one of our favorites. Have a great cruise yourself.

[Himself]

Hi!

 

Just wanted to share a little story. I'm an Airline Captain and this morning, I had the pleasure of flying some passengers headed to Seattle to board the Westerdam.

 

I learned about them 10 minutes prior to departure when one of the gate agents informed me that we were missing 4 passengers who had checked in with luggage but apparently were stuck at the security checkpoint. At that point, 2 of them arrived at the gate out of breath and told us that the other 2 were still held up at the security checkpoint.

 

The agent gave them the choice of going without their friends or all of them could take the next flight available (which would be landing in Seattle at 5:15pm, past the ship's departure time. :()

 

Trying to stall the agent from closing the flight, I chit-chatted with the 2 passengers for a bit who informed me that they were on their way to Alaska aboard the Westerdam (which is the ship I'll be boarding in a few weeks! :D).

 

I took that as a "sign" of some sort and at that point in time, I made the decision to hold the flight as long as possible (without getting in too much trouble). I just couldn't imagine myself in their shoes, about to see their cruise vacation crumble to the ground.

 

I convinced the agent to hold the flight a bit longer and if necessary, to put the delay on me. I had the flight attendants get the cabin ready for departure and the First Officer run performance numbers taking the 4 passengers into account. All we'd need to do would be to close the door once the passengers arrived.

 

With 4 minutes to spare, the last two passengers showed up! We all ran down the jetway and closed the door for an on-time departure! :)

 

If the 4 of you are Cruise Critic members and happen to read this, I hope you have a WONDERFUL time on the Westerdam today! It truly made my day to have been instrumental in getting you there. :)

 

To everyone else: please, please let this story be a reminder to NEVER fly on the day of your cruise! (I did "lecture" these passengers a bit about it too :o)

 

Boy you are a good guy. FYI, I never fly in on the day of the flight.Thanks for holding the flight for them.

[RandyinDEN]

That is why we always fly in the day before a cruise and are truly amazed at how many people try to shave 1 day of vacation time and money and fly in the morning of the cruise. It just isn't worth it trying to save $100 - $200 by flying in the same day as the cruise and possibly miss the boat.

[hpeabody]

You are a wonderful person! Those people will never forget what you did for them. When are you sailing on the Westerdam?

[Tapi]

Not many pilots would do what you did knowing that there could be consequences

 

I figured that, worst case scenario, I'd get a call from the Chief Pilot and I'd just explain the situation. We get a bit of authority (as far as delaying the flight), and I hoped that it would stay within the approved "wiggle" room (which it did!) :o

 

If you have never sailed on the Westerdam, she is a lovely ship and one of our favorites. Have a great cruise yourself.

 

Looking forward to it. Not only will it be our first time on the Westerdam, but it will be our first time on Holland America!

 

When are you sailing on the Westerdam?

 

June 8th! :D

 

I sure hope they thanked you appropriately.

 

They were very thankful. We talked some more on the jetway when we landed. Very nice people!

 

Hope some great karma is headed your way!

 

Thanks! Great karma is always welcome. Maybe I'll play a few quarters at the casino...;)

[mamaofami]

What a nice thing you did today. I'm sure your good deed will be rewarded. I believe what goes around comes around.

[tamsocal]

What a fun story & thanks for helping them out!!

 

We are going 3 days in advance next cruise. I don't sleep well going in the day of the cruise-- just not worth it & makes for a stressful 1st day for us.

[josie724]

I love this.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Coolcruise02]

Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing. :)

[Scrapnana]

I hope they learned their lesson! Thanks for helping and hope you have the best cruise ever.

[luvtwotrvl]

Thank you very much for sharing this. I too, do not fly on the same day when doing a cruise.

 

David

[iancal]

Tapi...

 

You are a STAR and a gentleman. Good things happen to good people.

 

BRAVO!

[Travelrd]

BRAVO TAPI! it's nice to know there are kind people still around to do kind things for total strangers.

 

i sailed on the westerdam from seattle to alaska in 2009 and you will have a fabulous cruise, i assure you. it's a great ship with a great crew and the scenery and ports are really interesting.

 

cheers

[diann744]

Airline Captain of the Year! ;)

[AZNative2000]

Hope some great karma is headed your way!

 

I agree, flying on the day of your cruise is not worth the risk...

Captain Tapi ... also hoping karma is headed your way.:) Perhaps a smiling visit from the upgrade fairy!:D:D

 

BTW, we too have never flown in the day of a cruise. We're going six days early for this next one.

 

Cheers!

[TiogaCruiser]

And may the Upgrade Fairy be very very good to you!

[cruiselovers20]

Kudos captain! It is great and refreshing to learn that people like you do nice things for others....God Bless

[bozemanman]

Too bad I'm going the week after or I'd buy you a drink! Thanks so much for helping a fellow cruiser. :D

[Hflors]

Thanks you for sharing that WONDERFUL story with us. I am sure those passengers are smiling and telling their table mates this evening how the captain held the plane and how thankful they are to be there on the ship tonight! I am sure that will be the last time they try to fly in the "day of"

 

I also hope the Upgrade fairy pays you a wonderful visit!!

 

Helen

[sammygoose]

These are the stories that bring tears to my eyes. I know it's easy and popular to bash airlines as being insensitive to their passengers, you in a small way have shown us the other side and I thank you for that.

I would never fly in the same day as a cruise but for those passengers you were their savior.

The Chief Pilot should commend you for your dedication to going the extra mile and superior customer service. You earned it.

 

 

Lesley