Leg 3 jinxed LAX - HNL

LAX -  HNL
8th August
American Airlines - AA31
B757
N184AN
0800(L) - 1030(L)

Delayed

1000(L) - 1430(L)
Take off aborted - Engine failure - Aircraft withdrawn

B757
N688AA
1330(L) - 1600 (L)

Checkin was a breeze (this is a term i may regret)
Thought the agent viewed me with suspicion, you've come from the England (I did correct him, for my Scottish readers) and you've only got hand luggage
Anyway, he filled me with lots of confidence, by stating he was "suprised they were going to fly to HNL" :)

upstairs via the moving stairs to the TSA Line - This lot were much friendlier
through in about 20 mins, and into the hallowed halls of T4

Meant to buy this

got breakfast at Homeboys - which is lovely, but bloody expensive - $12 for a croissant and coffee (i forget the price you see, isn't what you're going to pay, once the till adds Tax)

Well this isn't quite going to plan.

Apparently the weather in Hawaii is bad*, so we were delayed by 2 hours, after getting on the aircraft at 0730 (was first on), which caught the cabin crew off guard, they weren't expecting us. so i sat down, only to be told to return to the lounge.

*it turns out bad = hurricane x 3*

1st Aircraft interior - First Class

no power sockets

disposable headphones given out free in First

We eventually left, but half way down the runway, some thing happened, the engines wound down, we brake hard and we pull off the runway.

No announcements for 4 mins, so I'm thinking this is serious as the flight deck are clearly busy - to those that know me, yes, i had already counted the seats to the exit :)

The next thing I see, is what looks like half of LAX emergency services charging towards us - so I'm tweeting with one hand and preparing to abandon the aircraft - adrenaline definitely helps with multi tasking.

Anyway turns out they weren't coming to us as they drove past - no idea where they were going.

We go back to stand, one man refuses to sit down - he gets shouted at.

And all i could think was, i wonder what picture Sky News will use for me in the gallery of victims.  I already have my "media spokesperson" identified - he knows who he is :)

*1120*
We deplaning, new time is 1300 for a departure

This became 1330.

 2nd aircraft had UK/US/EU power sockets and cloth seats

George secured for take off

on departure from LAX

even though we left after lunch, we got breakfast

? effect of Hurricane Iselle

meanwhile i have a "mole",  who's keeping an eye on my progress (or lack of)
he's based in AMS, and is well known in the flyer talk forum for being very helpful - he's been in valuable even if just as reassurance about something. He even rang after this event to check up on me