Even basketball teams get stuck on the tarmac. The Spurs spent the night sleeping on a grounded airplane (that was experiencing mechanical difficulties) after the team beat New Orleans in Game 7. "We slept on the plane -- as much as you can sleep," a team spokesperson said. "We tried to keep some normal semblance of order." [ESPN]
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Are they demanding a bill of rights which includes provisions for Cristal and hookers? (not with David Robinson around, mind you)
Don't feel bad for them, I have been a flight attendant for 30 years and have worked several of sport team charters and they have every conceivable candy, soda, alcohol and food. I'm not talking "snack size" either. Everything is full size. Basically whatever these guys want they get. All free. They also get a plane to themselves so there is plenty of room to spread out. They are getting no sympathy from me!
That airline is going out of business at the end of the month, and apparently has quite a bit of issue with its equipment. Not exactly something you want your million-dollar investments flying on:
[www.cnbc.com]
Now had they been the Milwaukee Brewers, they would have been able to get another plane.
Sleeping on a luxury plane with sleeper seats built for NBA-size players, with all the amenities, ain't exactly the same as being stuck on the tarmac in coach class for nine hours.
If they're flying 727s, no wonder they're having cash flow problems. That's one *thirsty* bird. Fuel consumption for a 727-200 is over twice what a similarly sized 737-4 consumes.
Sounds to me like some air traffic controllers in New Orleans are Lakers fans.... :)
@bobfromboston: It's actually a standard charter, not designed for NBA players. So if you were 6'9", nursing sore joints, and coming off a draining 7-game series, it's probably not where you'd want to be sleeping with a game coming up in less than 48 hours.
@spinachdip: I see your point. And it sucks. And this is beside the point, and I know it, but they get paid millions to pay basketball. So when they are sore, and crying, they can go out and buy a Lamborghini to make them feel better. Or pay off the GOP to pass the PBOR
@spinachdip: According to one of the articles, Champion Air flies a special all-first-class configuration for the NBA. Only 59 seats on a 727, which is a little more than half the normal number. So yes, this was quite a cushy flight. I still wouldn't want to spend all night sitting on a plane, though.
@Orv: Ah, thanks for pointing it out.
@Bladefist: I'm not exactly broken up over their plight either, but look at it from the team owner's POV. Say you're investing millions a year on these players. Their comfort has a direct-ish effect on their performance, which is why you're putting them up in 4-star hotels and flying them charter. You can't be happy that your players are getting less than full night's sleep on a plane, especially when players from the other team are sleeping soundly/happily partying at home.
Aww, poor millionaires. Well, welcome to the how the other half lives. The half that gets stuck in airports because of canceled flights. Jammed in a coach seat for over an hour and haven't even taken off yet. Missing connecting flights because the flight in was delayed.
Good to know air travel nowadays sucks for everyone.
I like how the players aren't complaining, but everyone here thinks they are.
@ceejeemcbeegee (AKA!): oh since you know them so well can you get me an autograph?
@spinachdip: ya i understand they are an 'asset'
@Bladefist: You'd know them well too if you RTFA. It is obvious this is the team simply spokesperson explaining to the media what happened. Never once did he say the players were bitching.
republicans are now killing our professional sports