Originally Posted by
squeakr
My question is, how can you fly across country in a storm and not have enough fuel to make your destination?
Because the fuel tanks are not large enough to hold sufficient fuel for that in the stronger winter headwinds.
Originally Posted by
squeakr
If you're not confident you're going to make it to San Francisco, how can you be confident you're going to make it to Fresno?
Because the flight planners and pilots know what they're doing. They know what the loads and performance metrics of the planes are and know what the requirements are for fuel minimums, diversion planning and other considerations.
But it is not exceptionally uncommon for westbound transcon A320s to have winter "gas and go" stops. Even some 737s have to when the winds are particularly bad. And it is absolutely not a safety issue for passengers. They schedule the diversion in advance in order to maintain the massive cushions required (alternate airport + 45 minutes at a minimum).
Originally Posted by
squeakr
could this happen going to Hawaii?
No, because they plan appropriately for it. Usually seats are blocked, reducing passenger/baggage weight. Also, the winds usually aren't quite as bad further south so that helps the Hawaii flights.
And, FWIW, the same thing happens with the 757s TATL from time to time, especially in the winter, as those winds are similarly strong. That's why some flights will divert to Gander or such.