Check out my post here -> http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1400845/posts?page=3#3
And then tell me you think SeeBS held that plane up.
I have to agree that things did look fishy, but as the link said it wasn't mainland US so rules could have been more lax. However, the plane was already delayed so why delay passengers even longer? But then, it's an extra three seats sold so who knows. I'm just pleased that finally, after 7 races, the ending was good. I hadn't been happy with any of the previous winners, but this had a happy ending.
Romber isn't off the airwaves, yet. Next up is their wedding. Enough already!!! Ok, gotta admit they don't fuss and whine like others do.
a. That U&J’s cameraman called a producer, who called his boss, who got some head honchos at CBS together to determine the best option for the show.
There could be "leg" or "location" producers able to make that call, on the spot. They could leapfrog each other the entire race, all involved know in advance what the final run consists of. Knowing that, it makes sense to force two teams on the same flight.
b. The head honchos agreed that they should intervene and, then called together their legal team to see if they agreed they could interfere without consequence.
Knowing that the race will suck huge if one team runs off. I'm sure this has and was discussed in advance. As for a legal team conference, well it's CBS remember.
c. Then the legal team put all this in writing.
Nothing in writing, some weird memo might show up someday
d. Then the producers met to finalize the interference plan, agreed to interfere, called a head honcho at AA, pulled him out of whatever meeting he was in, and got him/her to waive a general security policy for better ratings and a PC ending.
After 6 plus times at this, the producers had to have talked this over , at lenght, and in advance. As AA is a paid advertiser on the show, it stands to reason an AA decision maker would be on hand, at least in locations where the soonest flights available after the forced bunch ups would be AA. As an aside, Think maybe AA likes seeing itself in so kind a position, that they hold a flight for a penniless black couple, in urgent need of help, maybe.
e. All the while, waiting on the phone while AA checked with their legal team to ensure that they were’t breaking FAA regulations.
Had to be considered in advance. Here is where the benefit of NOT being in America come to help the producers. An AA rep, and a handful of $100.00 bills could go along way.
f. Then after AA agrees to the deal, they place a call and explained the “special deal” to the local Puerto Rico representative, who runs to the woman at the gate, who explains the special deal to the pilot and who has a change of heart and reopens the plane.
I really believe that AA would have been warned in advance that this requirement might arise. And knowing that in advance, would have made it easy and subtle to pull off.
Those are my quick thoughts, thanks for yours, that is what makes this show, and Freerepublic, so much fun. As I consider more loopholes in that final leg I'll try to post them.