American Airlines pilots flying in from Dallas saved a Chicago to Los Angeles flight from cancellation after hours of rolling delays left passengers frustrated and gate agents pessimistic about departure.
The A321 sat at the gate at Chicago O'Hare starting at 7:45p with no pilots assigned, despite the hub having reserve crews. The original 7:10p departure time slipped repeatedly through the evening, eventually pushing to 11:55p. American offered hotel rooms to passengers willing to rebook for the next day, but many wanted to reach Los Angeles that night.
When two pilots arrived from Dallas around 11:15p, the gate area erupted in cheers as passengers anxiously awaited confirmation they would accept the overtime assignment. A first officer rounded the corner and flashed a thumbs up sign to the question "Are you our pilot?!" The captain appeared moments later to another chorus of cheers.
The flight departed very late but did take off. Several passengers had already bailed during the delays, creating enough no-shows to open first class seats at the gate for remaining passengers.