Results: That Warm Canadian Helping Hand

Once again, Canada shows the true meaning of a helping hand. On Sunday, December 13, passengers aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit spent the night in a military barracks in eastern Canada after the plane was forced to land because of a mechanical issue. Have you ever been on a flight that was forced to make an alternative forced landing?

Delta flight 135 was diverted to Goose Bay airport "out of an abundance of caution," and crew duty times were impacted due to weather and runway conditions at the Goose Bay airport causing the airport to suspend operations. Delta sent additional aircraft to Goose Bay to bring customers to their final destination Monday. Most of the passengers were not prepared for this stop, and had no change of clothes, or toiletries, since they had no access to their checked bags. The passengers were put up in an army barrack, which according to passengers, felt more like a hotel. There they were given warm meals, water, toiletries and clothes if they needed, and treated to that famous "east coast warmth". Have you ever visited the east coast of Canada?

Twenty-two years have passed since thousands of international travellers famously took refuge in Gander, Stephenville, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. John's and surrounding communities in Newfoundland and Labrador after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. When the U.S. closed its airspace soon after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, 238 planes were diverted to Canadian airports. Seventy-five of those were sent to Newfoundland and Labrador. Do you remember hearing about this during that time?

Over the years, stories about the kindness and generosity displayed by this province have spread far and wide — thanks, in large part, to the Broadway musical Come From Away — and the countless other stories of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians offering up baked goods, meals, the keys to their homes, you name it —to those forced to land there. This time, the delay was short-lived, but those stranded did experience a little of this province's hospitality. Have you ever seen the show Come From Away?