Short flight from Nevada to California turned into a 17-hour nightmare: what happened

Allegiant Air's hour-long flight from Las Vegas, Nevada to Stockton, California has turned into a 17-hour nightmare for dozens of passengers. SF Gate.

Photo: Shutterstock

The initial arrival was scheduled for Monday, July 21th, 00:12 pm, but passengers did not finally land at Stockton Airport until Tuesday, July 13th at 14:00 pm.

“I think everyone on the flight is very disappointed,” Jade Watts said. “There was no help, no instructions.”

Allegiant said in an email that it was unable to land at Stockton "because the automatic air traffic control system was unable to provide the visibility information required for landing."

Stockton Metropolitan Deputy Director Helen Nussdbaumer has confirmed that the airport's automated ground-based observation system, or ASOS visibility sensor, has failed. Nussdbaumer said the airport uses this automated system when the control tower is in automatic mode without personnel.

On the subject: Retired liner: what happens to the plane after the last flight

The tower usually works from 07:00 to 21:00, this is how small airports operate. Nussdbaumer added that this kind of problem is rare.

“At first we had to circle and circle and circle,” Watts recalls. “Then they said we were going back to Las Vegas.”

But then the pilot told the passengers another bad news: a thunderstorm in Las Vegas forced the plane to change its route again.

Around midnight, the plane finally landed in Los Angeles, where exhausted passengers waited for answers, Watts noted. The flight to Stockton was rescheduled the next day.

The delay also affected passengers who were supposed to fly from Stockton to Las Vegas on the same plane on Monday evening. Sevia Williams and her daughter say they have been offered a refund or a new ticket.

“I was really angry because I was tired and ready to go home,” said Williams, who lives in Las Vegas.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

Williams stayed with her family in Stockton, awaiting a new flight.

Watts stressed that she and her fellow travelers were disappointed because they had nowhere to stay.

“There was a guy who tried to clarify the situation: “What should we do? You need to look for hotel rooms. Do we really have to decide everything on our own?” — Watts reported his words. “And the guy was told that now we are on our own.”

According to Allegiant, the compensation was provided "to cover contingencies."

However, Watts said there were problems with the vouchers.

“Everyone had to look for hotel rooms. Some slept at the airport, just walked around not knowing what to do,” she said.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Retired liner: what happens to the plane after the last flight

The stories of the most insane airplane brawlers and how they are punished

Ten places on Earth where people will not be allowed even for a lot of money

What to do if you get pulled off a flight: pilot's advice

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.