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Man vacationing in Brainerd area was among those who spent hours trapped in plane 'They put so many lives here at risk' Staff Writer St. Paul resident Link Christin - who was stuck inside a small compact airplane full of passengers Friday night for six hours - said he has never experienced anything like that in his life.
Christin, who has traveled for 40 years, was trying to enjoy his vacation Monday in the Brainerd lakes area, but was interviewed by several national and local media outlets. Christin, 56, who is staying at the Quarterdeck Resort and Restaurant in Nisswa for a few days, said in a telephone interview that he has been telling his story to CNN, MSNBC, "Good Morning America," New York Times and Tuesday he will give interviews to the "CBS Morning Show" and the "Today Show." Christin has been the most vocal passenger of the Continental Airlines Flight that was flying from Houston to the Twin Cities who has come forward about the tragic incident. Christin said he called the Star Tribune to tell his story and it grew from there.
Christin, who was heading home after visiting his father in West Palm Beach, Fla., was one of 47 passengers who spent the night trapped inside the airplane that was parked at a Rochester airport. The flight, that was expected to take three hours, was diverted to Rochester because of bad weather.
"I feel drained," said Christin. "It's one of those things that doesn't hit you for a day or two. You feel numb. They kept telling us 'A bus is coming in a little bit' and they kept telling us that. Everyone was tired and hungry and thirsty. A day later I was like 'Good gosh' they put so many lives here at risk, the people with medical conditions, someone could have had a panic attack.
"It makes me mad."
Christin said the airplane was small. He said there was a single row of seating on one side of the plane and two rows on the other side and the plane was full. Christin said the smell on the plane got worse as the hours passed. He said the bathroom was overused and with babies on board, the dirty diaper smell was overwhelming.
Christin said once the passengers were allowed out of the plane, several stormed to the customer service desk at the airport. He said they were just given a "1-800" number to call. Christin said later the passengers were sent back on the same plane, with no working bathroom, to head back to the Twin Cities.
Continental Airlines has apologized to the passengers who were stuck on the tarmac for six hours after the flight was diverted. Continental says the incident was "completely unacceptable." The airline is also offering refunds and vouchers.
Continental Express 2816 was operated by ExpressJet Airlines, which handles regional flights for Continental. It was diverted to Rochester and landed about midnight. Passengers weren't allowed to leave the plane until 6 a.m. Saturday.
ExpressJet says passengers couldn't get off because security screeners had gone off duty. But officials at the Rochester airport say the passengers could have stayed on the secure side of the terminal, and it was Continental's decision to keep them on the plane.
Christin said he hasn't had time to really think about Continental's efforts to try to correct the problem. He said it may take some time for him to come to "What I think is fair."
Christin said he has been asked to sit on a Senate hearing on the airplane incident. The hearing is set for Sept. 22.
(This story contains information from the Associated Press.)
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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