Few years ago in Philly, I'm taking a 10 PM or so USAir flight to Buffalo (one of those 50 seaters).First, they move us about 3 gates, as our original plane had a problem. I was the second on, and the lights go out in the cabin. Get off and they can't get them on again. About 10:45 they say it is fixed. We get on and the pilots start the checklist. The problem comes up again. Say it is a card in the computer. The mechanics go over to the original plane and take the card out of that one and put it in ours. Were OK. Had to wait 5 more minutes because the tow motor won't start (it was Christmas time). As we pull back we all applaud. Saw the rest of the ground crews walking to the exit in the terminal. we were the last plane to leave the terminal that night. Got into Buffalo about 12:45 AM.
At least the crew kept us appraised of what was going on at each step. I hate when they don't say anything about the delay.
Last Christmas, I was flying into Charlotte. About 90 seconds before touchdown, we suddenly pull up. As soon as the plane made a 180, the crew got on and told us that a plane had not cleared the runway and that we were waved off. We finished the circle and came right in.