UA1182 (LAX-OGG) on 9/22: "the door won't open"
Sep 23, 2017, 4:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal (ONT), PVD/BOS, JAX, RSW
Programs: AA/US PlatPro & 1.05MM, DL Plat (challenge), UA dirt
Posts: 3,189
UA1182 (LAX-OGG) on 9/22: "the door won't open"
I was on UA1182 (LAX-OGG) yesterday (9/22) and as the door was closing, one of the FAs commented that "I didn't think they needed to push that hard to close the door." And previously, there were 2 mechanics that were looking at the door.
After that, the flight was uneventful and boring...up until we park at the gate in OGG and 1L won't open, it will crack, but other than that, it won't move. After 45 minutes of trying to get the door to open, the ground staff give up and bring stairs to 1R, so we can disembark.
While walking on the ramp towards the terminal, I look up at the gate to see quite a few passengers on the return flight watching us. And, it was interesting to hear, as we were in the terminal, that they hoped to be boarding within 30 minutes. And that was at 9:20pm for a 10:00pm departure (UA1110). Needless to say, I had subscribed to flight notifications just to see if it was going to leave, and sure enough, it was delayed to 10:30, then 11, then 12am, then 10am and now a 3pm departure.
The part that concerns me is that because this was 737-800SFP, only 1L and 1R are to be used in a water evacuation since 2L and 2R would have sills below the waterline. Therefore, only 1 exit would be operational. Should UA have sent the aircraft out on an over water flight with 1L in this condition?
After that, the flight was uneventful and boring...up until we park at the gate in OGG and 1L won't open, it will crack, but other than that, it won't move. After 45 minutes of trying to get the door to open, the ground staff give up and bring stairs to 1R, so we can disembark.
While walking on the ramp towards the terminal, I look up at the gate to see quite a few passengers on the return flight watching us. And, it was interesting to hear, as we were in the terminal, that they hoped to be boarding within 30 minutes. And that was at 9:20pm for a 10:00pm departure (UA1110). Needless to say, I had subscribed to flight notifications just to see if it was going to leave, and sure enough, it was delayed to 10:30, then 11, then 12am, then 10am and now a 3pm departure.
The part that concerns me is that because this was 737-800SFP, only 1L and 1R are to be used in a water evacuation since 2L and 2R would have sills below the waterline. Therefore, only 1 exit would be operational. Should UA have sent the aircraft out on an over water flight with 1L in this condition?
Sep 23, 2017, 4:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
It's not something I like to dwell on during my crossings to and from Hawaii, but if an aircraft ditches in the North Pacific, even a perfect "Sully" style water landing, easy exit into the ocean is not likely to make for a happier ending.
Sep 23, 2017, 4:59 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I was on UA1182 (LAX-OGG) yesterday (9/22) and as the door was closing, one of the FAs commented that "I didn't think they needed to push that hard to close the door." And previously, there were 2 mechanics that were looking at the door.
After that, the flight was uneventful and boring...up until we park at the gate in OGG and 1L won't open, it will crack, but other than that, it won't move. After 45 minutes of trying to get the door to open, the ground staff give up and bring stairs to 1R, so we can disembark.
After that, the flight was uneventful and boring...up until we park at the gate in OGG and 1L won't open, it will crack, but other than that, it won't move. After 45 minutes of trying to get the door to open, the ground staff give up and bring stairs to 1R, so we can disembark.
Sep 23, 2017, 5:07 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,900
Yes. But it sounds like they had a hard time getting it closed. It must have been declared fixed but clearly wasn’t.
Sep 23, 2017, 5:40 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal (ONT), PVD/BOS, JAX, RSW
Programs: AA/US PlatPro & 1.05MM, DL Plat (challenge), UA dirt
Posts: 3,189
They were definitely having issues with the door on the ground at LAX, as it would not close properly. They had at first thought it was a sensor disagreement issue, but after they got the door closed and armed, one of the pilots came out to see whether it was properly closed.
Sep 23, 2017, 5:52 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 208
Oops. A bit late on this one. Here is the details:
1110/22 OGG-LAX. L13.30. a/c 3507. PBT: 16/136.
§ Delayed to 1130 due to MX and crew rest.
§ MX due to sheer pin on door preventing it from opening/closing properly.
§ Part being sourced from HNL ETA 540 +2hrs to repair.
§ Sent no hotel bulletin to the station. They are handing out reimbursement cards.
§ Updated all PNRs to show an updated amount of reimbursement from 200 USD to 400 USD per HNL GM Quentin due to high costs of rooms.
§ Requested AIR form get completed by station. De-escalation manager notified.
§ Requested Pro-Team severe comp be issued now.
§ CSS team opened Central Ops line for the station.
§ CSS processed down line cnxs out of LAX per OGG request.
1110/22 OGG-LAX. L13.30. a/c 3507. PBT: 16/136.
§ Delayed to 1130 due to MX and crew rest.
§ MX due to sheer pin on door preventing it from opening/closing properly.
§ Part being sourced from HNL ETA 540 +2hrs to repair.
§ Sent no hotel bulletin to the station. They are handing out reimbursement cards.
§ Updated all PNRs to show an updated amount of reimbursement from 200 USD to 400 USD per HNL GM Quentin due to high costs of rooms.
§ Requested AIR form get completed by station. De-escalation manager notified.
§ Requested Pro-Team severe comp be issued now.
§ CSS team opened Central Ops line for the station.
§ CSS processed down line cnxs out of LAX per OGG request.
Sep 23, 2017, 5:52 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,004
They were definitely having issues with the door on the ground at LAX, as it would not close properly. They had at first thought it was a sensor disagreement issue, but after they got the door closed and armed, one of the pilots came out to see whether it was properly closed.
Sep 23, 2017, 5:55 pm
#9
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,782
Doubtful the pilots or FAs believe they would have an issue opening the door on arrival. While in hindsight perhaps they should have been more diligent, done more checking but it would be hard to believe they knowingly took this risk.
Sep 23, 2017, 6:06 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,335
Oops. A bit late on this one. Here is the details:
1110/22 OGG-LAX. L13.30. a/c 3507. PBT: 16/136.
§ Delayed to 1130 due to MX and crew rest.
§ MX due to sheer pin on door preventing it from opening/closing properly.
§ Part being sourced from HNL ETA 540 +2hrs to repair.
§ Sent no hotel bulletin to the station. They are handing out reimbursement cards.
§ Updated all PNRs to show an updated amount of reimbursement from 200 USD to 400 USD per HNL GM Quentin due to high costs of rooms.
§ Requested AIR form get completed by station. De-escalation manager notified.
§ Requested Pro-Team severe comp be issued now.
§ CSS team opened Central Ops line for the station.
§ CSS processed down line cnxs out of LAX per OGG request.
1110/22 OGG-LAX. L13.30. a/c 3507. PBT: 16/136.
§ Delayed to 1130 due to MX and crew rest.
§ MX due to sheer pin on door preventing it from opening/closing properly.
§ Part being sourced from HNL ETA 540 +2hrs to repair.
§ Sent no hotel bulletin to the station. They are handing out reimbursement cards.
§ Updated all PNRs to show an updated amount of reimbursement from 200 USD to 400 USD per HNL GM Quentin due to high costs of rooms.
§ Requested AIR form get completed by station. De-escalation manager notified.
§ Requested Pro-Team severe comp be issued now.
§ CSS team opened Central Ops line for the station.
§ CSS processed down line cnxs out of LAX per OGG request.
Sep 23, 2017, 6:10 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal (ONT), PVD/BOS, JAX, RSW
Programs: AA/US PlatPro & 1.05MM, DL Plat (challenge), UA dirt
Posts: 3,189
Oops. A bit late on this one. Here is the details:
1110/22 OGG-LAX. L13.30. a/c 3507. PBT: 16/136.
§ Delayed to 1130 due to MX and crew rest.
§ MX due to sheer pin on door preventing it from opening/closing properly.
§ Part being sourced from HNL ETA 540 +2hrs to repair.
§ Sent no hotel bulletin to the station. They are handing out reimbursement cards.
§ Updated all PNRs to show an updated amount of reimbursement from 200 USD to 400 USD per HNL GM Quentin due to high costs of rooms.
§ Requested AIR form get completed by station. De-escalation manager notified.
§ Requested Pro-Team severe comp be issued now.
§ CSS team opened Central Ops line for the station.
§ CSS processed down line cnxs out of LAX per OGG request.
1110/22 OGG-LAX. L13.30. a/c 3507. PBT: 16/136.
§ Delayed to 1130 due to MX and crew rest.
§ MX due to sheer pin on door preventing it from opening/closing properly.
§ Part being sourced from HNL ETA 540 +2hrs to repair.
§ Sent no hotel bulletin to the station. They are handing out reimbursement cards.
§ Updated all PNRs to show an updated amount of reimbursement from 200 USD to 400 USD per HNL GM Quentin due to high costs of rooms.
§ Requested AIR form get completed by station. De-escalation manager notified.
§ Requested Pro-Team severe comp be issued now.
§ CSS team opened Central Ops line for the station.
§ CSS processed down line cnxs out of LAX per OGG request.