On this site, there are more passengers accounts of what happened...
http://avherald.com/h?article=418bfa0e&opt=512
To- Victor O and your fiance...I am so very sorry!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Surviving Allegiant Flight 507 From Vegas to Fresno
It's been almost 48 hours since I got off of the plane flight 507 from Vegas to Fresno. I am home now safe, happy to be alive with a fresh perspective on life.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Getting ready to leave Las Vegas after Ashley's first trip. Here's what's saved in my phone from the text messages I sent to Gary:
5:57 pm - Boarding Now
6:01 pm - On Plane
6:48 pm- Something is wrong...I am serious
6:50 pm - I love you
Looking back over these times...I realize we were almost home when one of the two plane engines exploded! I heard the BOOM and it felt like something had hit the plane even though we were still in the air. I looked out...it looked like we were perfectly still over the mountains. All you could see were mountains..no flat land...no city...no houses...no cars...no roads....just mountains.
The flight attendants had just started drink/snack service when the engine went out. They had passed our seats 7E/7F maybe 3 minutes before. I knew it was extremely serious when they began to RUN (as quickly as you can on a plane) back to their own seats, putting the cart away and then strapping themselves in. For maybe 5-10 minutes we sat without a word about what was happening. Then one of the attendants - Jasmin came onto the PA and announced the Pilot has indicated that we would be returning to Las Vegas for landing in 20 minutes. OMG
Ashley started to panic....freaking out....asking if we were going to die! I didn't know myself and all I could say (lie) was "it's okay" - "it will be okay." In her state of panic, Ashley started to get out of her seat so Jasmin came over to address her. Jasmin was scared herself...you could see her pulse jumping out of her neck. She assured us everything would be ok. However, when asked if we would be landing safely...she answered "safety is always our number one priority"...clearly a textbook answer.
So we sat....helpless....time passes slowly...
The pilot then informs us that one of the two engines has failed and we would be returning to Las Vegas.
The plane was silent...except for sobbing....even the other flight attendant was in her seat crying but trying to be calm. I had to look away to avoid seeing her fear in her eyes. I remember thinking...this is bad...she's as scared as we are.
A young girl seated next to me (Shelley) was alone on the flight and I offered her my hand. There I sat in between Ashley and a stranger scared and worried - trying to remain calm.
At some point, I began to consider this would be my last moments in life. When presented with such a situation you have to consider death as a real and near possibility. It's really hard to explain and put into words. All I knew was there was something wrong, everyone was scared and we might not make it back to the landing strip in one piece. I had to fully accept that I would never see Gary, Ryan or Toni again and that was ALL I could think about as I prayed for a second a chance to live.
The return flight and landing was rough to say the least! I felt every bump and turn like no turbulence I've ever felt on a flight before.
Finally, we were getting closer and began to see houses...remnants of Las Vegas. Then the airport emerged and we approached just hovering over the nearby houses. I felt like I could reach out and touch them. I could see the fire engines waiting for us...not knowing if we were already on fire or going to be upon landing.
Then another BOOM....and hard THUD as we HIT the very end of the runway!
APPLAUSE!!! APPLAUSE!!! APPLAUSE!!!!
At this moment the entire flight passengers and crew were unified in our thankfulness to be alive.
We approached a gate and exited the plane at 7:31 pm (longer than 20 minutes after the engine failure) The pilot let us know it was due to a mechanical failure, apologized and explained although rare it does happen unfortunately.
The phrase it's a "one in a million" chance of a plane crashing/ engine failure/malfunction etc. echoed throughout the airport. I'm here to say that phrase is not comforting when you were on the "one in a million" flights which in this case was Allegiant flight 507 from Las Vegas to Fresno.
I agree with Ashley when she said on our drive home with Shelley in tow "It's like we are plane crash survivors because we went through every feeling and emotion that they would minus the crash..."
Celebrate Life!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Getting ready to leave Las Vegas after Ashley's first trip. Here's what's saved in my phone from the text messages I sent to Gary:
5:57 pm - Boarding Now
6:01 pm - On Plane
6:48 pm- Something is wrong...I am serious
6:50 pm - I love you
Looking back over these times...I realize we were almost home when one of the two plane engines exploded! I heard the BOOM and it felt like something had hit the plane even though we were still in the air. I looked out...it looked like we were perfectly still over the mountains. All you could see were mountains..no flat land...no city...no houses...no cars...no roads....just mountains.
The flight attendants had just started drink/snack service when the engine went out. They had passed our seats 7E/7F maybe 3 minutes before. I knew it was extremely serious when they began to RUN (as quickly as you can on a plane) back to their own seats, putting the cart away and then strapping themselves in. For maybe 5-10 minutes we sat without a word about what was happening. Then one of the attendants - Jasmin came onto the PA and announced the Pilot has indicated that we would be returning to Las Vegas for landing in 20 minutes. OMG
Ashley started to panic....freaking out....asking if we were going to die! I didn't know myself and all I could say (lie) was "it's okay" - "it will be okay." In her state of panic, Ashley started to get out of her seat so Jasmin came over to address her. Jasmin was scared herself...you could see her pulse jumping out of her neck. She assured us everything would be ok. However, when asked if we would be landing safely...she answered "safety is always our number one priority"...clearly a textbook answer.
So we sat....helpless....time passes slowly...
The pilot then informs us that one of the two engines has failed and we would be returning to Las Vegas.
The plane was silent...except for sobbing....even the other flight attendant was in her seat crying but trying to be calm. I had to look away to avoid seeing her fear in her eyes. I remember thinking...this is bad...she's as scared as we are.
A young girl seated next to me (Shelley) was alone on the flight and I offered her my hand. There I sat in between Ashley and a stranger scared and worried - trying to remain calm.
At some point, I began to consider this would be my last moments in life. When presented with such a situation you have to consider death as a real and near possibility. It's really hard to explain and put into words. All I knew was there was something wrong, everyone was scared and we might not make it back to the landing strip in one piece. I had to fully accept that I would never see Gary, Ryan or Toni again and that was ALL I could think about as I prayed for a second a chance to live.
The return flight and landing was rough to say the least! I felt every bump and turn like no turbulence I've ever felt on a flight before.
Finally, we were getting closer and began to see houses...remnants of Las Vegas. Then the airport emerged and we approached just hovering over the nearby houses. I felt like I could reach out and touch them. I could see the fire engines waiting for us...not knowing if we were already on fire or going to be upon landing.
Then another BOOM....and hard THUD as we HIT the very end of the runway!
APPLAUSE!!! APPLAUSE!!! APPLAUSE!!!!
At this moment the entire flight passengers and crew were unified in our thankfulness to be alive.
We approached a gate and exited the plane at 7:31 pm (longer than 20 minutes after the engine failure) The pilot let us know it was due to a mechanical failure, apologized and explained although rare it does happen unfortunately.
The phrase it's a "one in a million" chance of a plane crashing/ engine failure/malfunction etc. echoed throughout the airport. I'm here to say that phrase is not comforting when you were on the "one in a million" flights which in this case was Allegiant flight 507 from Las Vegas to Fresno.
I agree with Ashley when she said on our drive home with Shelley in tow "It's like we are plane crash survivors because we went through every feeling and emotion that they would minus the crash..."
Celebrate Life!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Would you gamble with a child’s health?
I am re-posting this message I received today because as many of you may know my daughter, Toni was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 3. She is now 9 and will be returning to public school next year. So, this causes grave concern for her father and I. We believe ALL children with medical conditions should receive the SAME academic opportunities as every other student. However, legislation like this would be very prohibitive. There is a link below you can click to TAKE ACTION if you feel led.
Thank You
Jennifer
Would you gamble with a child’s health? Of course not. But you should know that the California Assembly is currently considering legislation that would do just that.
Assembly Member Sandré Swanson has introduced legislation (AB 1430) that would severely limit the school personnel who can provide assistance to students who need to take medication, including insulin. AB 1430 would prohibit anyone except a licensed registered nurse from administering medication in schools.
As you probably know, California’s schools are facing an unprecedented financial crisis. Jobs are being cut at all levels. In this budget climate, there is no way schools will be able to hire an adequate number of school nurses to administer insulin, let alone meet the medication needs of students with other illnesses. If AB 1430 becomes law, parents of children with diabetes will just have to hope a school nurse will happen to be present when their child needs insulin. The ratio of school nurses to students in California is 1 to 2700…would you be willing to play those odds?
The American Diabetes Association has been fighting for years, both in the courts and in the state legislature, to make sure students with diabetes have access to insulin and other diabetes care in California’s schools. We are currently working with legislators in California to introduce a bill that will ensure students with diabetes have the care they need at school, but Assembly Member Swanson’s bill (AB 1430) would be a huge step in the wrong direction.
Contact Assembly Member Swanson today and let him know you are opposed to AB 1430. Click on Take Action Now to send your letter.
Take Action Now!
Thank you for being a Diabetes Advocate!
Lisa Murdock
Advocacy Director - Western Region
American Diabetes Association
Thank You
Jennifer
Would you gamble with a child’s health? Of course not. But you should know that the California Assembly is currently considering legislation that would do just that.
Assembly Member Sandré Swanson has introduced legislation (AB 1430) that would severely limit the school personnel who can provide assistance to students who need to take medication, including insulin. AB 1430 would prohibit anyone except a licensed registered nurse from administering medication in schools.
As you probably know, California’s schools are facing an unprecedented financial crisis. Jobs are being cut at all levels. In this budget climate, there is no way schools will be able to hire an adequate number of school nurses to administer insulin, let alone meet the medication needs of students with other illnesses. If AB 1430 becomes law, parents of children with diabetes will just have to hope a school nurse will happen to be present when their child needs insulin. The ratio of school nurses to students in California is 1 to 2700…would you be willing to play those odds?
The American Diabetes Association has been fighting for years, both in the courts and in the state legislature, to make sure students with diabetes have access to insulin and other diabetes care in California’s schools. We are currently working with legislators in California to introduce a bill that will ensure students with diabetes have the care they need at school, but Assembly Member Swanson’s bill (AB 1430) would be a huge step in the wrong direction.
Contact Assembly Member Swanson today and let him know you are opposed to AB 1430. Click on Take Action Now to send your letter.
Take Action Now!
Thank you for being a Diabetes Advocate!
Lisa Murdock
Advocacy Director - Western Region
American Diabetes Association
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Extreme Update
Well it's been about a week since Extreme Makeover-Home Edition welcomed home the Riojas family here in Fresno and I'm still overcome with emotion. Being a participant (even in my small, little way) was truly an amazing blessing! I can honestly say, aside from my wedding and having my children...it was the most amazing week of my life. So...I can't even imagine what the Riojas' must feel like.
My experience started on January 10, 2009 at 4:30a.m. when I arrived at the volunteer check-in and holding area. Actually it really started the night before when I tried to go to bed early so I could get up at 3:00am but then couldn't sleep at all because I was so excited! Then we waited...and waited...and waited! I was there on DEMO day so we were actually waiting for the production crew to call us when they needed us. When we checked in they even said they may not be needing us at all (this broke my heart). Alas at about 8:30am we were summoned onto the construction site/ television production set.
DEMO DAY:
I was part of the "Braveheart March" which is at the opening of the show when the Builder, Contractors and Community "March" onto the soon to be construction site. Basically...I have to be honest...I was a t.v. extra! Don't get me wrong...It was a great time and awesome to see how the television show is filmed along side of the construction. Then they called in the contractors to demolish the old house. In a way this was a little bit said knowing that Mary Ann had bought it as her first home just a few years ago. At the same time...exciting to know what would soon be in its place. Pics
Day 2:
Gary and I took the kids since it was the first day spectators were allowed. When we got there...the concrete was poured, the house being framed. By the time we left a couple of hours later...the house was framed, windows in, roof started, air/heat/ducts being installed. Our friend, Jeff Dick of Donald P Dick Air Conditioning happened to be there as well. He said a job that normally takes them 2 days...they had done in 2 hours! Even my kids were impressed with how quickly things move.
Reveal Day:
We arrived early (6:30 am) so Gary and Toni could get a good spot to watch the days events! You could feel the energy and emotion as the crowd waited the arrival of the family. It was so awesome to see the Riojas family receive their new home!
After the reveal...I was on clean up crew. I felt really good about doing this since my first day was in "TV Land!"
So if you ever get the chance to participate in something like this...DO IT!!! You will be rewarded in ways you never thought possible.
My experience started on January 10, 2009 at 4:30a.m. when I arrived at the volunteer check-in and holding area. Actually it really started the night before when I tried to go to bed early so I could get up at 3:00am but then couldn't sleep at all because I was so excited! Then we waited...and waited...and waited! I was there on DEMO day so we were actually waiting for the production crew to call us when they needed us. When we checked in they even said they may not be needing us at all (this broke my heart). Alas at about 8:30am we were summoned onto the construction site/ television production set.
DEMO DAY:
I was part of the "Braveheart March" which is at the opening of the show when the Builder, Contractors and Community "March" onto the soon to be construction site. Basically...I have to be honest...I was a t.v. extra! Don't get me wrong...It was a great time and awesome to see how the television show is filmed along side of the construction. Then they called in the contractors to demolish the old house. In a way this was a little bit said knowing that Mary Ann had bought it as her first home just a few years ago. At the same time...exciting to know what would soon be in its place. Pics
Day 2:
Gary and I took the kids since it was the first day spectators were allowed. When we got there...the concrete was poured, the house being framed. By the time we left a couple of hours later...the house was framed, windows in, roof started, air/heat/ducts being installed. Our friend, Jeff Dick of Donald P Dick Air Conditioning happened to be there as well. He said a job that normally takes them 2 days...they had done in 2 hours! Even my kids were impressed with how quickly things move.
Reveal Day:
We arrived early (6:30 am) so Gary and Toni could get a good spot to watch the days events! You could feel the energy and emotion as the crowd waited the arrival of the family. It was so awesome to see the Riojas family receive their new home!
After the reveal...I was on clean up crew. I felt really good about doing this since my first day was in "TV Land!"
So if you ever get the chance to participate in something like this...DO IT!!! You will be rewarded in ways you never thought possible.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Helping the Community...Extreme Makeover Style!
I shared a couple of days ago how excited I am about this year in general. Currently I am honored to be volunteering my time to help a special family in my community via Extreme Makeover-Home Edition.
Here's more info: Extreme Makeover Home Edition
I really can't put into words the emotion I felt this morning when I read about the Mary Ann Riojas and her family. Again, I'm so lucky to be able to help however I can with this project.
Jennifer
Here's more info: Extreme Makeover Home Edition
I really can't put into words the emotion I felt this morning when I read about the Mary Ann Riojas and her family. Again, I'm so lucky to be able to help however I can with this project.
Jennifer
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Exteme Makeover- Home Edition
Here I come!
Extreme Makeover-Home Edition is coming to the Central Valley in Ca and needs volunteers to help around the clock in order to complete the project.
As my husband was telling me, I was on-line signing up and I just received my email this morning about when to report. I'm so excited to help on this project! I still don't know WHERE I'll be going (I'll find out Thursday when they tell the family) and then Saturday I check in at 5:30a.m. (I did tell them I was available anytime-honestly hoping for a graveyard shift as I'm more a night person ;-)
Honestly...I'm so thrilled about this. And no...I don't have a contractor's license lol! They need people who are willing to do anything and everything so I'm there!
I'll fill you in more next week!
Jennifer
Extreme Makeover-Home Edition is coming to the Central Valley in Ca and needs volunteers to help around the clock in order to complete the project.
As my husband was telling me, I was on-line signing up and I just received my email this morning about when to report. I'm so excited to help on this project! I still don't know WHERE I'll be going (I'll find out Thursday when they tell the family) and then Saturday I check in at 5:30a.m. (I did tell them I was available anytime-honestly hoping for a graveyard shift as I'm more a night person ;-)
Honestly...I'm so thrilled about this. And no...I don't have a contractor's license lol! They need people who are willing to do anything and everything so I'm there!
I'll fill you in more next week!
Jennifer
Monday, January 5, 2009
Happy New Year!
I'm so excited for the new year. Dont' get me wrong - last year was great, but I know this year will be even better! There are so many NEW exciting things starting.
I want to invite you to listen in on my talk show.Yes,you heard that right, I have my own talk show. Get all the juicy details about it by clicking on the following link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jennifer-Celaya
I want to invite you to listen in on my talk show.Yes,you heard that right, I have my own talk show. Get all the juicy details about it by clicking on the following link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jennifer-Celaya
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