A320
Other / Unknown
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Company Policy; Procedure; Weather
My First Officer and I were reassigned to cover a flight that had diverted due to ground stop [at our destination]. They blocked in at the maintenance ramp hard stand a XA43. At approximately XC25 we relieved the crew due to their crew day legalities. We were briefed on the ground delay by the crew. We were unable to get flight planning information from Dispatch since Crew Scheduling had not officially assigned the flight to us. The plane was fueled at 10;000 LBS. XD20: Lightning begins on the field XD23: Crew Scheduling calls and assigns us to the flight. This allows Dispatch to flight plan with us as the crew. XD26: Passengers advised of their right to deplane; all remained. XD30: Still no flight plan in computer with ATC. XD43: Ground stop extended to approximately XD15. XE00: Ground stop lifted. We were unable to get takeoff data. Cleared by Clearance Delivery to go; we were told we were number 3 in line for takeoff and to call Ground when ready. We still could not obtain takeoff data. We were also given a re-route and a new flight plan. XE25: We called Ground and began our taxi. ATC gave a take off time of XE41. Ramp was also called at this time and informed we were taxiing for takeoff but had concerns with fuel and may have to return to the gate. XE35: I was uncomfortable with the fuel situation and made the decision to return to the gate. Our best scenario was to arrive with 51 minutes or 4;300 LBS of fuel remaining. Flight attendants informed us passengers were getting very anxious and many now wanted off the plane. We taxied onto the ramp and asked for a gate to deplane passengers and to refuel. Ramp would not allow us to go to a gate because opening the door would cause the flight attendants to go illegal and possibly cause the flight to cancel. We were told since the passengers were given the chance to deplane at the 3-hour mark that they were reset for another 3 hours. Dispatch was contacted and they confirmed this policy. Passengers were expressing a strong desire to get off. We expressed our concern that no water or food had been boarded and we were out. Potable water was available and served to the passengers. XF10: Flight attendants advised us the situation with the passengers was getting bad and they wanted to return to the gate. Flight attendants were now saying the situation was becoming a safety issue. This information was passed on to Operations and we insisted that we needed to park at the gate now. I informed them that this was my decision. They reminded us that the door could not be opened or the flight may not continue. I emphasized we had a safety consideration now and we needed a gate to deplane passengers. XF12: Dispatch advises the Tarmac Desk wants us to return to the gate due to lack of water and food. We continued to press Operations for a gate and now Dispatch is advising the same; little concern was shown by Operations. XF13: Flight attendants told us a women was getting ill and medical persons were attending to her and she was on oxygen. They confirmed we had a medical emergency. Operations was informed and we emphasized we had a medical emergency and needed a gate immediately with paramedics meeting the plane. Their answer was they were calling the Director. XF15: Flight attendants tell us another woman was ill and medical persons were attending to her. Passed to Operation that we had a second medical emergency and needed additional paramedics at the gate and a gate was needed immediately. Their response was; so you have a medical emergency? We confirmed that we had a medical emergency and needed a gate now. XF23: We were assigned and proceeded to a gate arriving at XF25. Ramp personnel were unloading other aircraft and we were without a marshaller or a jetway driver. XF29: Blocked in. XF32: Door opened with paramedics boarding. About XG00 the flight cancelled. To my knowledge the ill passengers declined further medical care from the paramedics. During the time we began requesting a gate and the second emergency call; two scheduled flights were parked at gates next to our position. I find the lack of response to our safety issues and declared medical emergency to be alarming. During our debrief; one of our flight attendants advised me that the pediatrician attending the first medical emergency told her that the ill passenger 'was doing this to show what they had driven me to do.' insinuating that she was faking the emergency. This underscored the flight attendants belief that we were having a safety issue due to passengers getting desperate and losing it. The second medical emergency appeared to be quite real; as a Flight Attendant told me the woman was a diabetic; looking poorly and going into shock due to a lack of food. Most of the passengers were on the aircraft over 10 hours.
Air carrier Captain describes an extensive delay caused by weather and poor handling by the company.