Originally Posted by
kv99
please.
I think that this is a pretty isolated incident... I've not heard of very many diversions to an intermediate point en-route. I'd be interested to know what was actually wrong with the plane. Indeed, it appears that the many reported problems with mechanical delays out of Chicago (mostly on 747s) seem to be significantly down this year. Hope you get on your way soon.
Nothing isolated about it. And it is certainly not out of just ORD. Happening at LAX/SFO/NRT also. Several hour delays are quite common, resulting in flights often being cancelled until the following day.
It is happening not just to SYD, but to Asia destinations also.
UA's 747's have been in a a mess now for over 1 month.
The OP, in this instance, witnessed a mechanical while in flight. Most of the other mech delays were prior to departure from the gate, but often after boarding. There is really no difference. It is still a mechanical. It is just a matter of when it is detected. Of course, I would rather have a mechanical occur at an airport, rather than in flight.
Like the OP, I am also wondering if UA has does something to their maintenance repair facilities (change etc) that would warrant this type of widescale problem.
UA can give away all of the upgrades/miles they want, but if their fleet is going to be unreliable, the upgrades, bonus miles, and bonus offers are useless.
Pathetic.