tmarc

my parents were on this flight...flight was delayed one hour...said they were put on a bus to check in at the Int'l terminal...then bused back to terminal 4...then the equipment was changed from a 738 to 767. What was going on? Anyone know? Thanks.

justageek

This is what expertflyer.com said -- maybe someone (flyastrojets?) can translate.

6LAX-BOS NRML 738W OPTG IN 76ER N3DD OTS LAX FTWDP PETIT
AWTG CREW

travelsensei

The most relevant part is this: "NRML 738W OPTG IN 76ER N3DD OTS LAX" which basically means that the scheduled 738 aircraft [NRML 738W] will now be operating as a 763 [OPTG IN 76ER], because aircraft N3DD was found to be out of service [OTS] while in LAX

Despite the more common use of three character aircraft codes (763), most of AA's planning systems use four character codes (76ER) to account for the many unique configurations within an aircraft type

Can't remember what FTWDP means (think its the location and initials of the person making the entry) who in this case is named Petit...someone plz correct me if I am wrong about this part

Lastly, on top of the equipment change, your parents flight was 50 minutes late because they were awaiting crew [AWTG CREW]

Hope this helps...

justageek

I think you are correct, as I have seen FTWDP PETIT on a number of the flight information listings when there are irregular ops.

MJonTravel

Basically the LAX-BOS trip normally operates with a 737-800. Today it will operate with a 767300ER since aircraft 3DD (all 737-8's are 3 something starting with 3AA) is out of service per Ft Worth Dispatcher Petit. They are awaiting crew to operate the trip.

ricktoronto

I wonder relative to the needs for information about AA and AAdvantage if a one hour delay is really worth posting a question about? It is not uncommon, really.

PresRDC

I'm sure I'm not alone in being perfectly happy to incur an hour delay to get a 763 as opposed to a 738.

JonNYC

On a flight between BOS-LAX?? I'd be psyched! (assuming I was in J) I also agree that posts about the most inconsequential delays (like this one) do nothing but clutter up the board.

tmarc

agreed...the change to a 767 was a plus! Still wondering why they were put on a bus to be checked in at the Int'l terminal then bused back? I have flown lax-bos many times and never had this happen.

brp

Interesting question. I didn't think that the secession of California from the US had gone through yet...

Cheers.

FWAAA

What a great problem to have. I can't remember the last time I experienced a narrowbody to widebody aircraft substitution - it's almost always the other way around.

Blumie

I normally would agree, but certainly the busing back and forth adds to the intrigue. Does AA operate any 763 flights that arrive at the international terminal at LAX? If it's anything like BOS, international flights arrive at terminal E, and then the planes are tugged over to terminal B for their next departure. So maybe AA was attempting to save time by moving the passengers instead of the plane.

umguy

It's been happening down here in FLL quite often. But nothing as dramatic as a 738 to a 763. But quite a few 757's have been swapped for 767's. Always a nice surprise.

ajacpril

All AA flights are either out of T4 or the satellite terminal inside the airport.

I have had 2 great equipment changes in the last year, both when flying F
SFO-HNL 763 turned back an hour into the flight and was replaced with a 762.
LAX-SFO MD80 was replaced by a 762.
HNL-LAX 757 was replaced by a 763 (777 style interiors)

These have been my only 2 experiences in the wooly mammoths so far!

LAX21

I sincerely hope that you were referring to the slaveship instead of MD80 for that route...