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It was a detailed response, but maybe not one an airline passenger who uses the Twitter handle “Raff” was hoping for, when tweeting Air Canada to ask why a flight from Vancouver was stranded on the tarmac in Toronto Friday evening.

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“yvr to yyz – stuck on tarmac no updates for 20 mins. What the hell hurry up,” tweeted Raff.

https://twitter.com/rRaff_S/status/358377262145478656

Air Canada’s authorized Twitter account replied, asking for the passenger’s flight number. Air Canada pilot Yannick Charlandwas more pointed, tweeting back, “It’s a red alert. Ground staff not allowed to work due to lightning in the area. You just flew across the country in four hours. Shut it.”

Air Canada flight 1162 taxied into the gate ten minutes after “Raff” sent the initial tweet. But not before the passenger thanked Air Canada, via Twitter, for the response and the “Twitter magic.”

https://twitter.com/rRaff_S/status/358378241230241792

Reached at his home in Barrie, the pilot, Mr. Charland, declined to comment on his tweet. He said only “I better not. I’ll get in trouble.” His tweet has since been deleted.

A powerful thunderstorm hit the greater Toronto area Friday evening with high winds and heavy lightning that knocked over trees and left thousands without power.

Air Canada declined to comment on the exchange.

National Post