Do Duct Tape for a Leaky Beech?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,665

Last night I decided to take CO up on a voluntary bump (CLE-YYZ) to go CLE-MHT-YYZ instead. The last leg was to be on AC (Air Georgian), which I knew would be a Beech 1900D, of course, with a head wind, making for a very slow prospect. For MHT-YYZ I was assigned a seat by an emergency door (odds are high for that of course) but when we got in the air, there was a tremendous noise from air rushing through the top of the door where I was seated. Of course there is no flight attendant button because there is no FA (but there could be a button for things like this - instead just a ligght switch). I wondered if I should walk up to the curtain and tap a pilot on the shoulder but I thought I'd be mistaken for a hijacker with poor judgment in his choice of targets. So I moved to another seat where the noise wasn't as bad. But I was concerned that we were losing pressure. We seemed to be flying low and slow - but that could be normal. When we landed I decided to tell a pilot. His response was that it was consistent with the fact that there were having trouble with cabin pressurization (and I can tell you that the temperature was dropping fast as well) and that he'd report it to maintenance. This was not something you could notice on the ground with the engines off. So - what is the protocol on those planes if you see a problem? And is there anything that could have been done about it short of grounding us in MHT if they had known about it? I recollect that BA had a similar problem on a much bigger plane. Just curious because I am not rushing back to MHT in the near future. BTW CO gave several of us $400 US (no blackout cash value coupon) as compensation for the tour. Interstingly, CO handles the AC flights in MHT. Dinner in MHT was quite good at the Milltowne Grill. Excellent clam chowder.
#2
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: S.E, Preferred Select, SPG Platinum
Posts: 911

Last night I decided to take CO up on a voluntary bump (CLE-YYZ) to go CLE-MHT-YYZ instead. The last leg was to be on AC (Air Georgian), which I knew would be a Beech 1900D, of course, with a head wind, making for a very slow prospect. For MHT-YYZ I was assigned a seat by an emergency door (odds are high for that of course) but when we got in the air, there was a tremendous noise from air rushing through the top of the door where I was seated. Of course there is no flight attendant button because there is no FA (but there could be a button for things like this - instead just a ligght switch). I wondered if I should walk up to the curtain and tap a pilot on the shoulder but I thought I'd be mistaken for a hijacker with poor judgment in his choice of targets. So I moved to another seat where the noise wasn't as bad. But I was concerned that we were losing pressure. We seemed to be flying low and slow - but that could be normal. When we landed I decided to tell a pilot. His response was that it was consistent with the fact that there were having trouble with cabin pressurization (and I can tell you that the temperature was dropping fast as well) and that he'd report it to maintenance. This was not something you could notice on the ground with the engines off. So - what is the protocol on those planes if you see a problem? And is there anything that could have been done about it short of grounding us in MHT if they had known about it? I recollect that BA had a similar problem on a much bigger plane. Just curious because I am not rushing back to MHT in the near future. BTW CO gave several of us $400 US (no blackout cash value coupon) as compensation for the tour. Interstingly, CO handles the AC flights in MHT. Dinner in MHT was quite good at the Milltowne Grill. Excellent clam chowder.
Next time the co-pilot gives his briefing before the flight listen!! They say if it gets too hot or too cold during the flight or you need something don't hesitate to come forward to the cockpit and let them know.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson
Posts: 34,743
As for the cabin pressure thing, I've experienced that many times on the BEH. No biggie.
Ever been through an intense thunderstorm cluster in a BEH? Now that is an experience.

#5
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: S.E, Preferred Select, SPG Platinum
Posts: 911
I've flown on a BEH about 200 times now and every time the pilot or copilot (whoever does the verbal shout of announcements) always encourages the pax to go up and inform them of whatever might be concerning them.
As for the cabin pressure thing, I've experienced that many times on the BEH. No biggie.
Ever been through an intense thunderstorm cluster in a BEH? Now that is an experience.
As for the cabin pressure thing, I've experienced that many times on the BEH. No biggie.
Ever been through an intense thunderstorm cluster in a BEH? Now that is an experience.

Yesterday I was on the BEH flying through that weather pattern on the North East. It was the bumpiest ride ever. At one point the plane went in to a stall patter and was yawing heavy to the right. It was quite the experience and After the flight you could see the persiration on the young pilots! I'm just thankful the pilot was able to recover from the stall.
I really hate it during the flight when the cockpit doors are open and they suddenly close them when bad weather approaches and the flight gets rough, it always scares some people.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,665
Okay - the engines were going when the pilot made his speech and I could hear nothing - I figured he was saying to have a good flight. He did come by the exit row earlier and said we'd be in charge of the door which meant tossing it. The flight was quite bumpy and the doors were closed to the cockpit as soon as we took off. As we landed the curtains replaced the doors. So i would have had to open the cockpit door to get to the curtain. I think there should be some sort of a call button or intercom for obvious reasons. You shouldn't have to get out of your seat if there is a concern.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: S.E, Preferred Select, SPG Platinum
Posts: 911

Okay - the engines were going when the pilot made his speech and I could hear nothing - I figured he was saying to have a good flight. He did come by the exit row earlier and said we'd be in charge of the door which meant tossing it. The flight was quite bumpy and the doors were closed to the cockpit as soon as we took off. As we landed the curtains replaced the doors. So i would have had to open the cockpit door to get to the curtain. I think there should be some sort of a call button or intercom for obvious reasons. You shouldn't have to get out of your seat if there is a concern.