Spurs will sleep in the airplane in NO

[Bruno]

Spurs airplane has had an incident in NO and Spurs are still there. Hotels are full in NO so the team will sleep in the airplane.
They will take a flight to LA at 7:00 am.

F*** champion air.

Link to the story (in French) :
http://www.rmc.fr/edito/sport/47494/les-spurs-bloques-a-la-nouvelle-orleans/

[ATXSPUR]

seriously????

[SpursIndonesia]

Oh darn, i guess we have to steal one in LA in even a harder way than it already is.

[capek]

You gotta be fucking kidding me. Hopefully they have some comfy damn seats in that charter jet.

[SpursFan0728]

All the hotels are full in NO?
WTF?

is Holt being cheap again?

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

:lol

I don't know how comfy that is, but I think it'd be a pretty funny experience. Mini-Rodeo Road Trip type bonding?

[Lady M]

when you pay shareholders before upkeep sometimes airplanes stay on the flour

[capek]

So who else thinks Timmy is going to be putting some peoples hands in bowls of warm water, freezing some peoples underwear, etc? lol

[mVp]

Wow... just, wow...

How many hotels are there in NO?

[Popo>Phil]

Spurs airplane has had an incident in NO and Spurs are still there. Hotels are full in NO so the team will sleep in the airplane.
They will take a flight to LA at 7:00 am.

F*** champion air.

Link to the story (in French) :
http://www.rmc.fr/edito/sport/47494/les-spurs-bloques-a-la-nouvelle-orleans/
:wow:bang

[Kori Ellis]

Well probably not every hotel was completely booked. But they probably couldn't find a decent one with as many rooms as they'd need. I can't imagine sleeping in the plane is that comfortable, but it's not like they are cramped in coach seats.

Hopefully they'll be able to sleep all day when they get to L.A. and then just do a walk thru practice in the evening.

[rayray2k8]

Well probably not every hotel was completely booked. But they probably couldn't find a decent one with as many rooms as they'd need. I can't imagine sleeping in the plane is that comfortable, but it's not like they are cramped in coach seats.

Hopefully they'll be able to sleep all day when they get to L.A. and then just do a walk thru practice in the evening.

Ms. Ellis, I think it's time to update your sig. :wakeup

[LA24]

Hopefully the Spurs will have sore necks, sore backs, and jet lag.
Spurs are tough though. We'll need all the advantage we can get.
So far, not a good omen for the Spurs. :downspin:

[honestfool84]

Hopefully the Spurs will have sore necks, sore backs, and jet lag.
Spurs are tough though. We'll need all the advantage we can get.
So far, not a good omen for the Spurs. :downspin:



is this the equivalent of spurs fans wanting kobe to get a fever and not play?

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

So who else thinks Timmy is going to be putting some peoples hands in bowls of warm water, freezing some peoples underwear, etc? lol

:lol

Didn't they do that stuff in 2005?

Then when everything settles down, Robert Horry gathers them all around so they can all swap dirty ghost stories with their flashlights as they all doze off in their sleeping bags.

[JPB]

Plane is on the fritz, Spurs couldn't go to LA.
RMC.fr, 05-20-2008
Spurs are retained in New-Orleans.

Spurs lost their smile. The finalists of the western conference are immobilized at NO's airport.

The defending champions were headed to LA to play Game 1 of the WCF, right after the game. Bad luck, their plane broke down.
And to top that, all hotels in NO appear to be full.


"what's happening is incredible!", Tony explains. It's 2 AM (9 in France). "We're doomed to spend the night in the plane ! Pop just anounced it.
To prepare a WCF, there's nothing better !"

Spurs should take the first plane at 7 AM and will consequently have less than 48h to prepare the meeting with the Lakers.

[JPB]

There's an Hilton next to NO's Airport.

C'mon Pete !

[Kori Ellis]

There's an Hilton next to NO's Airport.

C'mon Pete !

:lol I'm sure it's booked. They aren't skipping hotels because they are cheap. There's just probably not a decent one available nearby with enough rooms open.

[timvp]

Championships are hard.

Example #432,793

[JPB]

:lol I'm sure it's booked. They aren't skipping hotels because they are cheap. There's just probably not a decent one available nearby with enough rooms open.

Nah.

I just call them. There are plenty of rooms avalaible !

[Bruno]

In the E-N Spurs notebook they said that there is a convention of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association in NO.
It's not really surprising that Spurs haven't been able to find a decent and not to far from the airport hotel with enough rooms for the team.

[JPB]

Who cares about cable and telecommunications in our modern world ?

Put those suited geeks in the plane and our guys in their beds.

Damnit !

[WalterBenitez]

Probaly David $tern broke that plane, I told you I don't trust that man.

[LA24]

Bad luck, their plane broke down.


Good thing the plane broke down on the ground rather than in the air.

[ShoogarBear]

Two words: Bourbon Street.

[TampaDude]

I'm sure the seats on that plane are really comfortable...I wouldn't worry too much about the Spurs...this ain't gonna save the Fakers from an asswhoopin' tomorrow night...

[KidCongo]

time to call the party bus

[LA24]

time to call the party bus

Yes, please. And lots of booze too.

[TampaDude]

I don't see any other references to this article...in fact, when I Google "san antonio spurs plane", this thread is the fourth hit...I'll bet the Spurs are sound asleep in their hotel in Los Angeles right now...dreaming of their upcoming fifth :lobt:.

[timvp]

Two words: Bourbon Street.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7715/pimpsporkscg2.jpg

They're a step ahead of you.

[polandprzem]

I smell photoshop


Damn they won't get any rest at all.
And in the WCF the game is every second day :cuss

Kori you won't get much rest sleeping at day.

[iflyabeech]

idiots

http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?p=1634733

[iflyabeech]

http://www.championair.com/CA56Seat.pdf

[iflyabeech]

http://www.championair.com/PressRoom.asp?PressReleaseID=21

[TampaDude]

http://www.championair.com/CA56Seat.pdf

Those recliner seats look really comfortable...I've fallen asleep in chairs like that before. I still think the article is bullshit...the Spurs are in their hotel in Los Angeles right now, fast asleep.

[iflyabeech]

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/CCP2036

looks like they didn't leave....

[iflyabeech]

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rmc.fr%2Fedito%2Fsport%2F47 494%2Fles-spurs-bloques-a-la-nouvelle-orleans%2F&lp=fr_en&btnTrUrl=Translate

[TampaDude]

But this is terrible. I mean everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.

Not exactly...the Spurs WON last night... :toast

[Bruno]

The article is legit.
Tony Parker is the source.

[wildbill2u]

Well probably not every hotel was completely booked. But they probably couldn't find a decent one with as many rooms as they'd need. I can't imagine sleeping in the plane is that comfortable, but it's not like they are cramped in coach seats.

Hopefully they'll be able to sleep all day when they get to L.A. and then just do a walk thru practice in the evening.

Well, thanks to the league scheduling (more days between game 6 and 7 than the start of the WCF--wassup with that?) the Lakers will be well-rested.

[m33p0]

they'll be laughing at this in the future. right now, its bad freaking timing. hope they take it out on the lakers in game 1.

[Ginofan]

Well, thanks to the league scheduling (more days between game 6 and 7 than the start of the WCF--wassup with that?) the Lakers will be well-rested.

Maybe TOOO well rested ?

[iflyabeech]

now they are on the way to LA!! Over the great state of Texas!

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/CCP2036

[CubanMustGo]

In other news today, the San Antonio Spurs announced they would buy their own plane for future travel needs. "It's a beaut," said Spurs Chairman Peter Holt, "and even better we got it for a song."

http://www.oldprops.ukhome.net/C47%20G-ALWC%20N2.jpg

[ElNono]

I'm betting CIA Pop messed up with some wires to bunker up in the plane and start preparing Game 1. :smokin

[MoSpur]

Wow. I can't imagine too many places the Spurs want to stay in New Orleans.

[CubanMustGo]

Wow. I can't imagine too many places the Spurs want to stay in New Orleans.

It's a convention and tourist town. There are plenty of good places but they were apparently booked due to ... a convention.

[alon504]

Were they flying in San Antonio for a quick stop? If so, as fans, I'd be super-pissed. You all got cheated out of setting up your parade of fans along side of the road at the airport to congratulate the team. I know in New Orleans, we would have been VERY pissed if we wouldn't have been able to meet the team at the airport. That sucks.

[efrem1]

Champion Air's flet consist of old 727s. Many of them are otward the end of their useful lives. Nuts to you Champion!! Enjoy your Chapter 11.

[nkdlunch]

Why couldn't they get another plane????

these are the defending champs dammit!

why couldn't Hornets give us their plane? they ain't going anywhere

[CubanMustGo]

Were they flying in San Antonio for a quick stop? If so, as fans, I'd be super-pissed. You all got cheated out of setting up your parade of fans along side of the road at the airport to congratulate the team. I know in New Orleans, we would have been VERY pissed if we wouldn't have been able to meet the team at the airport. That sucks.

They were packed to go straight to LA. Good thing, too.

[MoSpur]

Why not take a bus to Baton Rouge and sleep in a hotel there and catch a flight from there? Oh well, I'm sure they are all cool with it. They're probably still "buzzin" (no pun intended) from that victory.

[Mamba24]

Maybe TOOO well rested ?

Well the Lakers had more rest between the Denver and Utah series. Praying for rust on the Lakers part didn't work out so well for Utah. You just gotta go out there and play. If there is going to be fatigue on the Spurs' part, it will start to show in the 4th quarter.

[LA24]

why couldn't Hornets give us their plane? they ain't going anywhere

:lol
+1

[BRHornet45]

Spurs airplane has had an incident in NO and Spurs are still there. Hotels are full in NO so the team will sleep in the airplane.
They will take a flight to LA at 7:00 am.

F*** champion air.

Link to the story (in French) :
http://www.rmc.fr/edito/sport/47494/les-spurs-bloques-a-la-nouvelle-orleans/

sons at least my voodoo doll worked for something.

[Indazone]

thats messed up. If I were them, I'd tell the airlines to give me pillows, blankets and camp out on the floor inside the airport.

[E20]

Why don't they just walk jog there all while Pop explaining the game plan.

[SpurFanatic]

Looks like they finally landed at 10:30

[Nolazach]

Spurs airplane has had an incident in NO and Spurs are still there. Hotels are full in NO so the team will sleep in the airplane.
They will take a flight to LA at 7:00 am.

F*** champion air.


You would think the four time champs would have their own plane, we do.

http://www.projectb737ng.com/Hornet's%20727.jpg

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Willie Mays Hays: Vaughn, get the stewardess. I think I'm gonna need one of those little bags!
Rick Vaughn: There aren't any stewardesses.
Willie Mays Hays: I wonder if there are any pilots.

[Whisky Dog]

I once drove from LA to Vegas on a head full of acid and proceeded to run a savage burn for 48 consecutive hours.

The Spurs will be fine.

[BRHornet45]

I once drove from LA to Vegas on a head full of acid and proceeded to run a savage burn for 48 consecutive hours.

The Spurs will be fine.

my kind of person

[50 cent]

The Spurs need to start using the same charter the Mavs use: http://www.mlwair.com/

My sister does high end travel and uses them all the time and they never have any problems like this.

The 727s are so old, it's ridiculous. I'm not suprised Champion is going out of business.

[mVp]

why couldn't Hornets give us their plane? they ain't going anywhere

:lol

[dbreiden83080]

They slept on the plane, oh man Spurs gonna get whacked tomorrow night.

[BRHornet45]

The Spurs need to start using the same charter the Mavs use: http://www.mlwair.com/

My sister does high end travel and uses them all the time and they never have any problems like this.

The 727s are so old, it's ridiculous. I'm not suprised Champion is going out of business.

son props on that Jessica Biel gif. She is definitely another P.A.W.G.

[50 cent]

son props on that Jessica Biel gif. She is definitely another P.A.W.G.

What is PAWG?

[CubanMustGo]

You would think the four time champs would have their own plane, we do.


Sure that's owned by the Hornets? A few years ago my wife and I got bumped from an American Airlines flight to a Midwest flight and we ended up on a plane in Milwaukee Bucks livery that was supposedly what the team used for charters. All I know is it had a hella leg room compared to your typical 727.

Unfortunately the SA ownership isn't known for spending money on trivial things like planes or hot water in the shower.

[Nolazach]

I once drove from LA to Vegas on a head full of acid and proceeded to run a savage burn for 48 consecutive hours.

The Spurs will be fine.


Or you saw "fear and loathing" so much it became real.

Still want to hit up Vegas with that same suitcase.

[Slydragon]

Better it broke down on the ground and not in the air.

[BRHornet45]

What is PAWG?

son PAWG = Phat Azz White Girl

[50 cent]

Sure that's owned by the Hornets? A few years ago my wife and I got bumped from an American Airlines flight to a Midwest flight and we ended up on a plane in Milwaukee Bucks livery that was supposedly what the team used for charters. All I know is it had a hella leg room compared to your typical 727.

Unfortunately the SA ownership isn't known for spending money on trivial things like planes or hot water in the shower.

Unless the owner of the Hornets owns Team Aviation LLC, then the Hornets don't own that plane.

Aircraft Identification
N-Number N777KY
Serial Number 21068
MFR Model Code 138407J
Engine Model Code 52051
Year MFRed 1975
Type_registrant 3
Name Team Aviation Llc
Street 1615 Poydras St Fl 20

City, State Zip New Orleans, LA 70112-1254
Google Map 70112-1254
Country US
Region 2



It's the same way with the Mavs logo on the MLWAir 757. Cuban has no ownership in that plane or company.

[RandomGuy]

Well probably not every hotel was completely booked. But they probably couldn't find a decent one with as many rooms as they'd need. I can't imagine sleeping in the plane is that comfortable, but it's not like they are cramped in coach seats.

Hopefully they'll be able to sleep all day when they get to L.A. and then just do a walk thru practice in the evening.


Meh. Given the importance of a good night's sleep for the players, they could simply make the current occupants of the hotel rooms an offer they couldn't refuse. :greedy

"I'll give you $5,000 cash to give up your hotel room for 2 days."

Money talks, and when you make $10M/year, $5k for a championship is nothing. Besides, you could write off the payment as a legitimate business expense. :lol

[DarrinS]

Are you sure this isn't a bogus story? Is the only source that French article?

[awktalk]

Does anyone know why there were so many days between games 6 & 7 while the Lakers were lying in wait, and only one day between the end of our series and the begining of the WCF? I mean Boston played Fri/Sun and we played Thurs/Mon? I suspect foul play, it just makes no sense.

[50 cent]

Are you sure this isn't a bogus story? Is the only source that French article?

The story is not bogus. FlightAware shows the Spurs plane landing in LA about an hour ago meaning they did leave New Orleans just after 7am.

[easjer]

Does anyone know why there were so many days between games 6 & 7 while the Lakers were lying in wait, and only one day between the end of our series and the begining of the WCF? I mean Boston played Fri/Sun and we played Thurs/Mon? I suspect foul play, it just makes no sense.

Calm down. It sucks, but the scheduling was set in advance of the playoffs beginning.

It was stupid scheduling, but it was done well before the playoff seedings were set, let alone before the advancing teams were decided for the WCSF. In reality, they expected the series to be finished and for last night to be Game 1 of the WCF. Had the Spurs pulled out game 5 and gone on to win game 6, they could have had plenty of rest, particularly if the LA/UT series had gone 7.

Ifs and buts at this point.

[NoMoneyDown]

:lol I'm sure it's booked. They aren't skipping hotels because they are cheap. There's just probably not a decent one available nearby with enough rooms open.

Just put Pop, Duncan, Parker, Bowen, and Ginobilli in a hotel room. With full room service.

[Spuradicator]

Fuck that sucks

[Nolazach]

Unless the owner of the Hornets owns Team Aviation LLC, then the Hornets don't own that plane.

Aircraft Identification
N-Number N777KY
Serial Number 21068
MFR Model Code 138407J
Engine Model Code 52051
Year MFRed 1975
Type_registrant 3
Name Team Aviation Llc
Street 1615 Poydras St Fl 20

City, State Zip New Orleans, LA 70112-1254
Google Map 70112-1254
Country US
Region 2



It's the same way with the Mavs logo on the MLWAir 757. Cuban has no ownership in that plane or company.


I think there might be a mistake, Team aviation builds kit planes out of New Mexico. All I know is that plane stays at Armstong(airport) all the time. It has the same paint job its had the whole time. Maybe its a long-term lease. Bottom line is its the team plane. If I finance a car or rent a house, its not mine, but in a way it is.

[50 cent]

I think there might be a mistake, Team aviation builds kit planes out of New Mexico. All I know is that plane stays at Armstong(airport) all the time. It has the same paint job its had the whole time. Maybe its a long-term lease. Bottom line is its the team plane. If I finance a car or rent a house, its not mine, but in a way it is.

Good point. I'm sure it's a long-term charter meaning other people can rent it out as well when the team isn't using it.

Besides, it's only a 727. I'd rather have a team charter like the Mavs - a nice 757.

[TampaDude]

Won't matter...Spurs in 6...

[RandomGuy]

I think there might be a mistake, Team aviation builds kit planes out of New Mexico. All I know is that plane stays at Armstong(airport) all the time. It has the same paint job its had the whole time. Maybe its a long-term lease. Bottom line is its the team plane. If I finance a car or rent a house, its not mine, but in a way it is.

If you have a lease for 5+ years, and have the option for a very cheap buyout after the lease is up, for accounting purposes, that is a essentially a sale. This is what is known as a "capital lease".

(looks around)

What?

:nerd

[Chris Duel]

Mike Tirico just reported on ESPN 1250 that the Spurs jet (good ole Champion Air) had a mechanical problem last night and that the team was unable to find hotel accomodations, so the Spurs were forced to sleep on the plane while it sat on the tarmac until it was repaired and left for L.A. at 7am.

Mike cited a French newspaper that Tony Parker was quoted in regarding this story.

Anyone have more information or sources on this?

[polandprzem]

Old story

[PDXSpursFan]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-211/Tough-Night-on-the-Plane-for-the-Spurs.html

Any confirmation on this?

[Summers]

If you have a lease for 5+ years, and have the option for a very cheap buyout after the lease is up, for accounting purposes, that is a essentially a sale. This is what is known as a "capital lease".

(looks around)

What?

:nerd

Wanna talk business accounting and make babies?

[BRHornet45]

oh son where have you been?

[mardigan]

Spurs slept aboard grounded plane in New Orleans
By Henry Abbott
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: May 20, 2008, 2:55 PM ET


The San Antonio Spurs, fresh off a Game 7 win over the New Orleans Hornets, were planning a quick getaway to Los Angeles to prepare to face the Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

Instead, they spent the night in their grounded plane in New Orleans.

The Spurs' departure from New Orleans after eliminating the Hornets 91-82 in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals was delayed several hours after their plane had mechanical problems, the team said Tuesday.

The team could not find hotel rooms in the city, so the players had to sleep on the plane, team spokesman Cliff Puchalski said.

"We slept on the plane -- as much as you can sleep," Puchalski said. "We tried to keep some normal semblance of order."

Puchalski said the team slept on the plane with the mechanical problems before boarding another plane that was brought in from Minneapolis. The team took off about 6:30 a.m. Central time, Puchalski said, and landed in Los Angeles about four hours later.

San Antonio uses the charter company Champion Air, which has announced it is ceasing all operations at the end of May.


Henry Abbott writes the TrueHoop blog for ESPN.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3405018

[Chris Duel]

Old story


Whoops. I hadn't seen the other thread.

Thanks.

Sorry for the duplication.

Feel free to nuke this thread.

Chris

[duncan228]

Still on the first page:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96029

[beachwood]

Anyone know which hotel the Spurs stay at in LA?

[Tyler_Durden]

omg! the Spurs had plane problems last night! i am going to make a thread about it!

[Bruno]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AvR1cJO3e9XhBWvd1U9oic.8vLYF?slug=jl-spurstarmac052008&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Night on the tarmac

By Johnny Ludden, Yahoo! Sports

When the San Antonio Spurs eliminated the New Orleans Hornets from the playoffs Monday night, they figured the hard part of their journey to the Western Conference finals was over.

Turns out it was only beginning.

In one of the more bizarre travel stories, the Spurs ended up spending the night on the tarmac at New Orleans airport.

The team had planned to fly to Los Angeles after the game, but arrived at the airport to find their flight had mechanical problems. With a cable convention crowding the city’s hotel rooms, the team couldn’t any place to spend the night.

Some of the players slept on the plane while others moved to buses on the tarmac.

The team left New Orleans around 6:30 a.m. And arrived in Los Angeles a few hours later. The Spurs will have only a brief shootaround on Wednesday morning before opening the conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers that night.

[Spurminator]

Congrats to the French press for scooping the American press by 12+ hours.

[Summers]

The team could not find hotel rooms in the city, so the players had to sleep on the plane, team spokesman Cliff Puchalski said.

"We slept on the plane -- as much as you can sleep," Puchalski said. "We tried to keep some normal semblance of order."



:lol at the idea of the team spokesman. Is this the guy who follows Pop around apologizing to media? "What he mean to say was perhaps you could have phrased that question differently..."

[Slomo]

Congrats to the French press for scooping the American press by 12+ hours.

Specially since it was at approx. 5am in France at the time.

BTW the number one result in Google for "spurs airplane problem" is this:
http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2008/05/20/spurs-plane-grounded-last-night-hotels-full-had-to-sleep-on-plane/

Guess who is credited for the initial info... :spin



Well this is crappy news (for the Spurs). Apprently last night, they had a plane problem. And with New Orleans being the popular city it is, they had no other hotels open. Basically, the Spurs slept on the plane. The initial article is in french, but here is a translated article thanks to the anxious folks over at SpursTalk.com

Spurs lost their smile. The finalists of the western conference are immobilized at NO’s airport. The defending champions were headed to LA to play Game 1 of the WCF, right after the game. Bad luck, their plane broke down. And to top that, all hotels in NO appear to be full.

“What’s happening is incredible!”, Tony explains. It’s 2 AM (9 in France). “We’re doomed to spend the night in the plane ! Pop just anounced it. To prepare a WCF, there’s nothing better !”

Spurs should take the first plane at 7 AM and will consequently have less than 48h to prepare the meeting with the Lakers.

[CubanMustGo]

So ... if the Spurs have to travel after May 30th, WTH are they going to do, fly Southwest?

[Bruno]

I just now hope old Spurs won't be too tired against LA.
WCF is one game each two days.
The good news is that Spurs players seems to be quite healthy and that Spurs had a big rest before game 7 in NO.

There is pretty much nothing to do against tiredness right now. it's not the moment to cut main players minutes. The only thing Pop could do is giving up quickly in a game where Spurs are downed by a lot.

[ShoogarBear]

Read Henry Abbott's blog. It looks like it was straight lifted from this thread:

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-211/Tough-Night-on-the-Plane-for-the-Spurs.html

[ducks]

the only think I do not like is it does not give pop alot of time to think how they would suprise lakers in game one
he knows the lakers though

[Summers]

Read Henry Abbott's blog. It looks like it was straight lifted from this thread:

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-211/Tough-Night-on-the-Plane-for-the-Spurs.html

And no credit for SpursTalk? :lol

[Slomo]

Read Henry Abbott's blog. It looks like it was straight lifted from this thread:

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/...the-Spurs.html (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-211/Tough-Night-on-the-Plane-for-the-Spurs.html)

Well at least LakersNations linked to their source. Remember soon after the initial post this was the situation:


I don't see any other references to this article...in fact, when I Google "san antonio spurs plane", this thread is the fourth hit.......




P.S. Props to Bruno for another scoop!

[SpursWoman]

The team had planned to fly to Los Angeles after the game, but arrived at the airport to find their flight had mechanical problems. With a cable convention crowding the city’s hotel rooms, the team couldn’t any place to spend the night.




They should have looked around a little more ...


http://www.w3dgk.com/stcatherines/clientimages/1187712395.jpg

[MarceloM!]

I heard that there is some snakes on that plane.

[SpurFanatic]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3405018

[slayermin]

Anyone know which hotel the Spurs stay at in LA?

They stayed at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica in '04.

[ShoogarBear]

That could have gotten ugly if they had any snorers.

[SpurFanatic]

http://www.ksat.com/spurs-playoff/16340998/detail.html

"The Team is not Practicing Tuesday"

[SpurFanatic]

and also here
http://radio.woai.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=119078

It says the TNT analysts also spent the night on the plane :P

[ShoogarBear]

and also here
http://radio.woai.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=119078

It says the TNT analysts also spent the night on the plane :P

Oh, hell. You KNOW Charles is a snorer.

[Spurminator]

Manu Ginobili does not sleep on airplanes. Airplanes sleep on Manu Ginobili.

Eh...

[Allanon]

They should have looked around a little more ...


http://www.w3dgk.com/stcatherines/clientimages/1187712395.jpg

Heheh, that's a good one.

I'm sure it was difficult to get that entire team into one hotel, it's probably better they stayed in the plane anyways. After beating up the Hornets and thrashing their playoff aspirations, I doubt that staying in just any hotel would have been a good idea.

[SpurFanatic]

Why didn't CP3 invite Parker to sleep at his house, Parker invited CP3 and his mom to dinner!

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Sleepover!

[G-Nob]

I dont like my team sleepin on a plane. Gives me a bad feeling about Game 1

[PlayoffEx-static]

So ... if the Spurs have to travel after May 30th, WTH are they going to do, fly Southwest?

Champion has announced that they will convey the Spurs until our season is finished, even if that's in June.

[spurscenter]

3bGv6Ijf1aU

[Avitus1]

That sucks.... but I'm sure the plane is off the chain.

[MiamiHeat]

this is actually a great thing for Spurs fans

now the Spurs rough it a little bit and get some gritty hard core feelings in their hearts again. roughing it does wonders more than drinking tea and getting room service.

this is good. some more bonding between players, etc........


GO SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ginofan]

So if we get another championship, can we pleeeeease have our own plane Mr. Holt?

[GSH]

Oh, hell. You KNOW Charles is a snorer.

It was only Marv Albert and Reggie Miller... Barkley was in the casino.

[iflyabeech]

My buddy who is a big advertiser with the Spurs was at the game in NO. He has attended a lot of out of town playoffs games the last few years and said the Hornets fans were huge assholes. The worst of the bunch. He said that they went to countless restaurants who refused to serve them because they were the only ones there with Spurs gear on and not Hornets crap.

He was driving back from N.O. to SAT and I told him about this thread, and he said the Spurs tried to check back in at the Westin where they had just checked out, but the Westin said sorry, no vacancy!! (after they just checked out!!)

Sore losers!

What a craphole that place is!

[iflyabeech]

ESPN so copied this thread. Complete with the flight aware I posted.

I do think I have found the problem as stated on the ESPN page's comment section!!

It all revolves around the First Officer!

http://www.oscars.org/events/past/2006/airplane/airplane_still.jpg http://www.prosportsmemorabilia.com/Images/Product/33-70/33-70478-P.jpg

[MARTINnba]

we do not need a plane, we need a spaceship, the planet earth is small :flag:http://www.fondosescritorio.net/wallpapers/Espacio-Exterior/Naves-Espaciales/Spaceshuttle1wallpapers.jpg

[NO LIMIT ARMY COMMANDER]

Spurs On A Plane!

[pauls931]

Probaly David $tern broke that plane, I told you I don't trust that man.

Probably, if there's a Lakers-Boston finals, I'll pass.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

My buddy who is a big advertiser with the Spurs was at the game in NO. He has attended a lot of out of town playoffs games the last few years and said the Hornets fans were huge assholes. The worst of the bunch. He said that they went to countless restaurants who refused to serve them because they were the only ones there with Spurs gear on and not Hornets crap.

He was driving back from N.O. to SAT and I told him about this thread, and he said the Spurs tried to check back in at the Westin where they had just checked out, but the Westin said sorry, no vacancy!! (after they just checked out!!)

Sore losers!

What a craphole that place is!

wow

it's probably a likely scenario.

[duncan228]

The Express News chimes in.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA052108.11E.BKNspurs.plane.39733e0.html

Airplane woes force Spurs to spend night on tarmac
By Tom Orsborn

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A mechanical problem that forced the Spurs to spend seven hours on a tarmac in New Orleans early Tuesday morning could result in the defending NBA champions switching charters midway through the Western Conference finals, an NBA source said.
The team's bizarre travel story came seven weeks after Minnesota-based Champion Air, which transports several other NBA teams, including the Lakers, declared bankruptcy and announced it would ground its 16-plane fleet May 31.

But shortly after that announcement, NBA and Champion officials said the Spurs would continue flying the airline through the playoffs or until further notice.

Thanks to what happened in New Orleans, that could come sooner than expected.

Asked if the team, in light of what happened in New Orleans, would consider making a change soon, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, “We'd consider walking. I have a feeling (general manager) R.C. (Buford) is on top of it.”

The NBA source said there's a good chance the Spurs could start using another carrier even before Champion ceases operations. Among the candidates, the source said, are a major airline carrier and a well-known charter entity. Northwest, the source said, will be the Spurs' carrier next season.

After beating the Hornets on Monday night to advance to play the Lakers, the Spurs arrived at the New Orleans airport set to fly one of Champion's Boeing 727s immediately to Los Angeles.

But when the mechanical problem came to their attention, the Spurs decided to spend the night in New Orleans while waiting for Champion to fly in another plane from Minneapolis.

With a major convention packing the city's hotels, the team was forced to spend the night on the tarmac until a new plane arrived around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The team arrived in Los Angeles a few hours later.

All told, the Spurs spent about 11 hours on the plane.

“We got to the plane around midnight or something like that,” Popovich said. “Mechanical problem. No mechanic. Then no plane. Then no hotel. We called about 15 or 20 places, so we spent the evening on the plane. It was eventful, weird.”

This isn't the first time the Spurs have had problems with Champion since it announced bankruptcy. On April 5, what a team spokesman called “minor repairs” delayed a flight from Salt Lake City to Portland, Ore.

According to an examination of Federal Aviation Administration records by the San Antonio Express-News in April, Champion has racked up hundreds of safety and maintenance incidents while running its aged fleet on what the newspaper called a “taunt financial shoestring.”

The Lakers took news of the Spurs' travel nightmare in stride. Asked if he felt for the Spurs, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said, “No. Not at all.”

Said Lakers forward Pau Gasol said, “There is no sympathy. This is not a time for sympathy... No sympathy. No mercy. This is a time to compete.”

[LakerLanny]

That airplane is probably nicer than your trailer! :blah

[ShoogarBear]

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/about/commission/commissioners/images/holt150.jpg

Money well saved.

[Whisky Dog]

Why even ask the opposing team about that? If I was a player and asked a question like that I would basically look at the reporter with a disgusted stare and utter...

"you're really fucking stupid"

[duncan228]

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/archives/2008/05/jeff_mcdonald_p_11.html

Jeff McDonald: Pop on the plane
SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- It has been confirmed that the Spurs have indeed arrived in the Los Angeles area for the Western Conference semifinals.

Coach Gregg Popovich, after a night of travel troubles worse than anything that ever happened to Clark W. Griswold, met with reporters at the team hotel in Santa Monica on Tuesday afternoon.

Typically, this would be an opportunity for reporters to ask questions about the Spurs' next opponent (ie, the Lakers). All we wanted to know about, however, was the night the Spurs spent on the tarmac at New Orleans' Louis Armstrong Airport.

The Spurs couldn't get off the ground after Monday night's Game 7 victory in New Orleans, due to mechanical problem with the plane. They couldn't find proper hotel accommodations in New Orleans, either, because a local convention had them all booked up.

So the Spurs had to spend the night on a grounded plane.

"I just told them we were having a sleepover," Popovich said. "We got out pajamas for everyone."

Few players actually slept. And there's no word yet on what TNT talking heads Marv Albert and Reggie Miller, who were hitching a ride on the flight, thought about the whole situation.

After about seven hours, the charter company, Champion Air, was able to get a replacement plane in from Minneapolis. The Spurs finally left New Orleans around 7 a.m., and arrived in L.A. around 11, local time. Total travel time, including the sleepover: 11 hours.

The incident isn't good news for Champion Air, which was set to go out of business by the end of the month anyway. Asked if the Spurs might consider other alternatives until then, Popovich chuckled and said, "We'd consider walking."

All in all, Popovich seemed in fairly good spirits about the whole episode. At least, he said, the Spurs weren't stranded in New Orleans after a Game 7 loss.

"If it had been a loss, there would have been fighting on the plane," Popovich said. "We would have fought the people who are serving us. We'd have been fighting each other. We'd have been pointing fingers. There would have been deaths on that plane." :lmao

[Princess Pimp]

Let the excuses begin for the pasting you will get tomorrow

[Princess Pimp]

:lol

[Man of Steel]

Tony could have gotten beds for everyone at Chris Pauls' house.

[Man of Steel]

Let the excuses begin for the pasting you will get tomorrow


http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p179/clark101857/asshole-3.gif

[homer]

It's a convention and tourist town. There are plenty of good places but they were apparently booked due to ... a convention.

Thanks New Orleans
for stepping up when 20 guys from San Antonio needed your help.

[mytespurs]

This team gets blown out in Games 1,2 and 5, managed to win an exciting Game 7, end up spending the night on the plane and don't get a chance to prep much for the first game of WCF against well rested LA Lakers squad....unbelievable.

Wouldn't it be interesting that with all that has gone on in the last 48 hours, the Spurs manage to win Game 1???!! I doubt it but who knows......:hat

[slayermin]

:lol

Does anyone have the video to that soundbite by Pop?

[ShoogarBear]

Thanks New Orleans
for stepping up when 20 guys from San Antonio needed your help.
LMFAO

[Man of Steel]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/always__willing/funny-pictures-cat-airplane-first-c.jpg

[Man of Steel]

wow

it's probably a likely scenario.

The hotels in NO also turned away this famous couple and their infant child...


http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w3/jajohnson8/03MaryJosephbabyJesus.jpg

[LA24]

There's no way that NO couldn't have a found a place to accommodate your team. We all know the city is just bitter after a game 7 lost. :lol

Ah well, good for us.

[curly]

Hi Spurs fans,

There is a huge convention in New Orleans and that is why there were no hotel rooms.
I guess the Spurs checked out of their hotel rooms before the game and their rooms were given up. ( 17,000 Cable Convention)

If there were hotel rooms available I am sure they would have gotten them.

[ShoogarBear]

Didn't you have any room in your hearts?

[Tyler_Durden]

Still, its better than where the Hornets slept.

[TampaDude]

I wouldn't worry about it...they didn't practice yesterday (not that they needed it after Game 7 against the Hornets) and I'm sure they got a good night's sleep last night. Do a walkthrough this afternoon and they'll be ready to go. These guys are the CHAMPS...they've been here many times before...they don't need to be told what to do. They just need to go out there tonight and KICK LAKER ASS!!!

Time to avenge .4...GO SPURS GO!!! :flag:

[boutons_]

A Spurs-owned plane would be as prone to failures as a charter plane from an airline.

If you're concerned about Spurs' cheapness, then be concerned about Spurs maintaining their own plane. :)

In addition to spending a night in an airplane seat before the series, there is no rest in WCF. Only one day between all 7 games, a trap set by NBA in case the Spurs would reach WCF. :)

[Bruno]

Next year Spurs will use Northwest and flight in A319.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/119724

[smeagol]

Let the excuses begin for the pasting you will get tomorrow

Are you ever tired of being wrong?

[ElNono]

Let the excuses begin for the pasting you will get tomorrow

You and Hollinger must be cousins...

[Man of Steel]

Let the excuses begin for the pasting you will get tomorrow

Hey Princess Pimp Puppy...

YOU'RE A PIECE OF SHIT!

NO IFF'S, ANDS, OR BUTTS ABOUT IT

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p179/clark101857/Jaimie.jpg

[CubanMustGo]

Next year Spurs will use Northwest and flight in A319.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/119724

A319's are a huge step up from that POC 727 they are flying now.


NBA Senior VP/Basketball Communications Brian McIntyre said that the league is “close to finalizing a deal with a charter company to fly the Spurs to road games should they remain in the playoffs in June”

Dammit, why can't I find a pic of the plane used in "Major League" ???