QF 422 10/11: delayed by stowaway!

[whughes3]

This has to rate as one of the most "interesting" flights I have ever done!

I was on QF422 MEL-SYD this morning 10/11, in seat 1C in J; my first surprise came when my neighbour in 1A turned out to be a VVIP (think: ex-PM,
who was, I must say, most amiable, introducing himself and even offering to swap seats).

All seemed to be going smoothly; boarding finished, the door was closed, and they were preparing for pushback. All of a sudden, something flashed
past in front of me: VVIP and I looked at each other and said "Was that a sparrow?" closely followed by "Er..yes it was!". We alerted the flight crew,
who were understandably a bit taken aback; they did an initial search without result, then decided to re-open the door and enlist some outside help,
as well as curtaining off the J cabin. Then ensued 10+ minutes of minor mayhem while they frantically tried to locate the offending avian (which,
considering how small the J cabin on a 738 is, was surprisingly difficult). Eventually the sparrow was cornered and escorted off the plane and we got
under way.

Both the flight crew and the other pax agreed that was definitely a "first" such occurrence in their experience! Something to dine out on for a while...

 

[eastwest101]

I must admit that there are a lot of sparrows inside Tullamarine so not surprised this has happened. Have also seen some inside BNE domestic and SYD T2 & T3. But unusual for one to fly down a jetway.

 

[Kangol]

At first I thought the ex-PM was the stowaway!

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

I had a similar experience a few weeks on an A332 from Mel to Per where the pilot came on the PA and announced "apologies for the delay but a rather strange problem this morning folks: in 37 years I've never had this one before...some birds have entered the cabin and we are just trying to get them out. If anyone can catch one I'm happy to give them a complimentary bottle of champagne." Anyway eventually he decided that we had most of them and would get underway.

About half way into the flight he came back on the PA saying "apologies for interrupting folks but the birds are back. I'm pretty sure there is one stuck up under my rudder pedals and I've just been told there is one loose in the business class cabin so that bottle of bubbles is still available for anyone who can nab him."

Very funny!

 

[JohnK]

At first I thought the ex-PM was the stowaway!

Same same.

 

[froggerADL]

If the ex PM was John Howard, maybe the stowaway was hiding in his eyebrows!

 

[mannej]

If the ex PM was John Howard, maybe the stowaway was hiding in his eyebrows!

My guess was JH as well

 

[opusman]

I find it hard to believe JH would be humble enough to introduce himself, he would just assume everyone knew who he was already.

 

[JessicaTam]

I thought it might have been the Silver Budgie... err, I mean Bodgie.

 

[BD1959]

Maybe it was an ex-Labor PM looking for his next wife ...


Regards,

BD

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Maybe it was an ex-Labor PM looking for his next wife ...

Harsh .... but fair

 

[burrco]

Sounds like one of the fresh ingredients for the latest Neil Perry dish escaped.

 

[QPProletarian]

Bumped into SYD residing exPM in the street on Sat morning, so wouldn't be surprised if it was the same one.

 

[froggerADL]

Bumped into SYD residing exPM in the street on Sat morning, so wouldn't be surprised if it was the same one.

Aren't there at least four SYD residing ex PMs - Whitlam, Hawke, Keating and Howard? The first one is unlikey to be "in the street" or on a plane though.