Plane arrived at the gate but they would not open the door for 45 minutes, is this common?

Question

I was so happy to arrive in Portland after a long flight from Asia. I was so ready to get out of the plane. I had been suffering from jet lag so bad and had a real closed in feeling in the very crowded plane.

Our flight arrived at the gate and nearly everyone stood up and got their carry on bags. Then we stood there and stood there and stood there!!! Who ever was responsible for opening the plane's door must of been sleeping- or on strike because we just kept standing there. There was no word from the flight attendants or the flight crew. I was at the aisle and started to panic with all these people standing around me. I felt closed in and was so tired. I kept assuming the worst and finally determined there must be some type of job action or terror attack. I could not see the door from where I was sitting.

Finally, after 45 minutes there was movement and 15 minutes later I was finally off the plane. No explaination or apology. Is this common?

Answer 1

YES. Its very common.

Answer 2

Sure, happens all the time.

Just because the plane was at your gate doesn't mean it was ready to go.

Don't get alll excited to get on until they tell you to board.

Answer 3

Since your flight was international, you might have been waiting for Customs, Immigration, or Agriculture to get to the airplane.  International arrivaquarantinedentined until at least Customs and Immigration board check paperwork and give permission to deplane.  One reason that I neveinternationalioional.

Answer 4

Yes it happens, could have been the airbridge/jetty was broken, the steps hadn't arrived, customs or police wanted to speak to someone onboard, lots of reasons although normally the crew would tell everyone to stay seated as xxxx was delaying disembarkation.