Oasis refit: ~14 738 AA planes temp. grounded for bin irregularities
Mar 8, 2019, 12:02 pm
#46
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
After flying an Oasis'd 738 frame (which was modded at KPAE), I can see how this is a serious issue. The bins fold open a lot more, and more downward as well. If something really did come lose and break apart, that would be dangerous with more bags per bin to fall out.
We all wish, but that's unrealistic. The problem (in relation to the grounding of the planes) is the installation, not the product itself. It could have just as easily happened if they were installing larger seats and AVOD. Crappy work is crappy work, it has nothing to do with the product.
Mar 8, 2019, 12:24 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
Complain about the seating configuration on the Oasis 737s all you want. I haven't been on one, but that sounds totally appropriate to me. But the new overhead bins, which AS has had for several years now, are marvellous. On AS aircraft with those new bins, overhead bin space and forced gate checking of bags are no longer a concern. Heck, the cynical side of me is surprised the bean counters let it fly, as it lessens the pain of boarding last and therefore makes basic economy a less unattractive product! (But the operational improvements of not having to gate check bags win out with the bean counters, I would guess.) When one complains about the unequivocally good things in a renovation because there are other things that are bad, one just looks silly.
Mar 8, 2019, 1:03 pm
#48
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,161
Gotta laugh at AA's process with this. They set the Oasis program to save money in the long run (more customers and revenue) and now it's costing them extra money with the inspections, grounding, re-accommodating customers, etc.
I really wish airlines would understand once and for all, that if they try to cut costs, it will cost them in other ways (ie, cutting meals in F means less paid F customers).
I really wish airlines would understand once and for all, that if they try to cut costs, it will cost them in other ways (ie, cutting meals in F means less paid F customers).
Mar 8, 2019, 1:07 pm
#49
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Gotta laugh at AA's process with this. They set the Oasis program to save money in the long run (more customers and revenue) and now it's costing them extra money with the inspections, grounding, re-accommodating customers, etc.
I really wish airlines would understand once and for all, that if they try to cut costs, it will cost them in other ways (ie, cutting meals in F means less paid F customers).
I really wish airlines would understand once and for all, that if they try to cut costs, it will cost them in other ways (ie, cutting meals in F means less paid F customers).
Mar 8, 2019, 2:38 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MIA
Posts: 298
Mar 8, 2019, 3:57 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 163
The Space bins if anything should use strengthened attachment points because of their 50% increased capacity and increased weight. Not installing and properly torqueing all bolts, using zip ties instead of bolts or missing bolts entirely is completely shoddy and unprofessional. IMO the company should be penalized and fined by the FAA, at least.
And the abhorrent product isn’t the bins, but rather the seats, pitch and tot lavs.
And the abhorrent product isn’t the bins, but rather the seats, pitch and tot lavs.
I'd agree the bins are great, but I find it interesting that some bags don't fit on their side, and this was on a flight that they were hassling folks about bags at the door.
Mar 9, 2019, 9:49 pm
#54
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Alameda, CA, US
Programs: BAEC Gold (GGL/CCR), HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,346
I can see the zip ties being used to get the bin into the initial location, then come back and install the bolts, i.e. someone forgot to do so. But I also would expect someone to do a check of all the bolts afterwards.
Mar 10, 2019, 8:39 am
#55
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Kansas City, USA
Programs: AA Gold, Delta Platinum, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, AVIS Preferred, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,066
First flight from MCI to DFW this morning cancelled due to this issue (at least that is what the GA said) and my 11:56 AM is delayed until 12:40 as AA has already subbed our A319 for an Oasis 738. Not sure if the delay is related or AA is just scrambling to find aircraft. On the bright side, my upgrade cleared after the change to the 738 so I can't complain too much. 
Mar 10, 2019, 11:29 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 6
If anyone else is interested it looks like these 13 tails are out of service all of which spent a few weeks at PAE:
N801NN - Ferried to TUL 3/8
N803NN - Ferried to BFM 3/7
N808NN - Ferried to TUL 3/8
N815NN - Ferried to SAT 3/7
N817NN - Ferried to BFM 3/7
N823NN - Ferried to PAE 3/3
N829NN- Ferried to MLB 3/8
N831NN- Ferried to TUL 3/8
N833NN- Ferried to SAT 3/7
N836NN- Ferried to TPA 3/7
N838NN- Ferried to GSO 3/7
N843NN- Ferried to TUL 3/8
N845NN- Ferried to PAE 3/7
Along with N839NN and N852NN that have been at PAE for a few weeks already.
N801NN - Ferried to TUL 3/8
N803NN - Ferried to BFM 3/7
N808NN - Ferried to TUL 3/8
N815NN - Ferried to SAT 3/7
N817NN - Ferried to BFM 3/7
N823NN - Ferried to PAE 3/3
N829NN- Ferried to MLB 3/8
N831NN- Ferried to TUL 3/8
N833NN- Ferried to SAT 3/7
N836NN- Ferried to TPA 3/7
N838NN- Ferried to GSO 3/7
N843NN- Ferried to TUL 3/8
N845NN- Ferried to PAE 3/7
Along with N839NN and N852NN that have been at PAE for a few weeks already.
Mar 29, 2019, 1:31 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 6
It looks like the first one (N829NN) has been fixed and is going back into service tonight after 3 weeks.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL9652
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL9652