HELP! My brother's stuck in Punta Cana

scotpgot · #1 06-15-2007, 12:25 PM

So my brother and his friend (who don't speak Spanish) were visiting me for the week and they went to the airport this morning to fly out. When they got there, they found a plane was stuck on the tarmac and were told they are not able to fly out until TOMORROW NIGHT!!! They plan on staying at a hotel tonight but have NO IDEA (neither do I) who to call or where to stay. Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is kind of an emergency situation, so if you PM me I can give out my phone number. Thanks.

Hoping the DR1 comm can come through . . .

Chirimoya · #2 06-15-2007, 12:33 PM

Shouldn't the airline make accommodation provisions for the affected passengers? That's always been my experience.

scotpgot · #3 06-15-2007, 12:34 PM

I don't know what's happening about that. The airline is USA3000, which is generally a charter service, I believe. (i.e. a group is books through a travel agent, then if there are any extra seats, they sell them off, which is how they got the tickets). So I would imagine most of the group is simply going back to their resort.

drloca · #4 06-15-2007, 12:38 PM

If they are looking for budget accomodation for the night, check out Hotel Punta Cana, La Posada de Piedra-Republica Dominicana. It is located in Cortecito and is very nice and clean.

scotpgot · #5 06-15-2007, 12:53 PM

Thank you VERY MUCH!!! I think that's the place. I called and spoke with them in Spanish, but they speak English as well. And the price seems reasonable, and only 15 minutes from PUJ.

KateP · #6 06-15-2007, 12:59 PM

The airport is hoping to have the plane off the tarmac by the latest 3pm today. Obviously, with the amount of flights delayed, it'll take a while to get everything back up to speed but everthing is being coordinated as I speak. Your brother should contact his airline since they're responsable for his accomodations.

scotpgot · #7 06-15-2007, 01:06 PM

Thanks, all again!!! SO MUCH APPRECIATED.

I just talked with him again after calling La Posada. I asked him if he wanted me to make the reservations. He did say that the airline rep. was arriving around two and that they would wait and see if they would make reservations for them or not. I get the feeling they're having trouble communicating.

Poor gringos . . .

Hlywud · #8 06-15-2007, 05:11 PM

Not to get off topic, but did the plane breakdown on the tarmac?
The word stuck might be the wrong one?

They should also see the USA3000 rep and see about them supplying a room.

KateP · #9 06-15-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hlywud

Not to get off topic, but did the plane breakdown on the tarmac?
The word stuck might be the wrong one?

They should also see the USA3000 rep and see about them supplying a room.

Here's the info I got directly from the General Manager of PUJ:

"Martin Air Flight MP 603, B767-300ER with 228 passengers on board was on takeoff roll from Punta Cana International Airport last night at 9:35 PM. The pilot received a Flap Warning light, indicating he may have problems with his flight controls. He made an instant and correct decision to abort takeoff. He applied brakes and reverse thrust. Aircraft brakes overheated, 8 main gear tires deflated and the aircraft came to rest just east of taxiway E-3. The PUJ SSEI applied dry chemical agent to the hot brakes, preventing any fire. Passengers were offloaded normally by aircraft stair truck and taken by vehicles to the arrival terminal immigrations area. Bags were offloaded and cargo was offloaded. Due to the aircraft having 8 blown tires, it could not be moved from the runway."

As of noon today the plane was off the tarmac and flights were starting to get back to normal.

scotpgot · #10 06-15-2007, 07:38 PM

Thanks for your help everybody!

Here's the update on my brother: I got him a villa at La Posada (not what he expected apparently)

. Unfortunately, the USA3000 "chief" never did show up. At first they told him at the airport they could leave tomorrow at 8 p.m. THEN they said they would have to wait until Monday to leave. At which point the frantic calling began. I called Codariz(?) who was supposed to be able to take care of things apparently. He said if they got to the airport tomorrow by 5:30 p.m. they would be able to leave on the 8 p.m. flight. Eventually they were told the same thing at the airport. So we'll see . . .

I really feel sorry for them, not speaking the language and all. My brother had a bachelor party to go to tomorrow night (he's one of the best men) which I guess he'll miss.

Thanks again for everybody's help!!!