Airline thanks fliers for patience in turtle delay: 'They aren't the fastest-moving creatures'

As a life-long tortie owner, I love this! We need every kind heart we can get in the world these days ❤ I owe this CAPT a drink.

What? No one took a picture of it?

"JetStar JQ455, cleared for takeoff. Caution wake turbulence from departing turtle."

Years ago I was a passenger on a 727 that stopped on its take off roll for a fox at Dulles. The passengers applauded. Me too. A-h-h-hs and isn't he cute.

..sounds like a kind hearted an observant captain!!

Their all called turtles here in Australia.

Cool! Got delayed once on a dirt strip in Namibia by an adult porcupine who decided the center of the runway was a good path to take. Pilot had to get out and encourage the critter to take the first unmarked runway exit. Brave pilot to me, those things weigh up to 25 kilos and can move fast when they want to and carry serious protection. Critters on the dirt runways in Africa are common enough to make the active checklist.

Well the turtle tried its best to become the fastest turtle alive when getting out of the way...

Very nice

A nice little story! (I hate to quibble, but I suspect that it was a tortoise, not a turtle.)

Great flight crew. Always got to stop and wait for turtles to waddle across the way. Occasionally having to get out, pick them up, dicey if a snapping turtle, and speed up their 5 minute trek across 50 feet to 3 or 4 seconds, remembering to grab snappers by the tail and no other part or they'll bite back big time.