Continental pilot dies during flight... [18-Jun-2009][threads merged]
Jun 18, 2009, 11:38 am
#76
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
Programs: *
Posts: 2,773
Having one pilot only is a very risky situation indeed - remember the one next to him just died. What if he freaked out or becomes so shocked by the event and has a heart attack, anxiety atteack stroke etc or becomes psychologically unable to function optimally? I would hope that if indeed there was only one pilot, CO would have diverted the flight to the nearest airport.
Having your own colleague who you work with just die next to you is very very tragic indeed and from that moment that flight ceases to be routine. In any other civillian work of life you would stop working straight away and have others take over, but here the copilot has to maintain his composure and keep flying the plane - that is very difficult indeed.
Jun 18, 2009, 11:44 am
#77
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: UA 1K MM; Marriott Platinum Premier; HH Diamond; Hertz President's Circle; Avis PS; AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,008
So iahphx's question is answered.
The problem with politicians meddling with healthcare and wanting their own system imposed is that they think they know it all, even if they have good intentions. Suzanne, like any politician, thinks it was a heart attack. Even though I'm not a doctor, it could be many other things. Ruptured aortic aneurysum (like Dr. Michael DeBakey), brain aneurysm (singer Laura Branigan), stroke (several kinds), pulmonary embolism (like the NBC reporter in Iraq), cardiac arrythmias (many kinds), epileptic seizure (like someone I read about in the newspaper who was in his 30's), asthmatic attack. So a layman, like me can name 8 things, and a doctor could probably name 25 things. So lets not let politicians try a massive overhaul when they should be fixing things stepwise to see the effects. Like fixing Medicaid first and, if partly successful, then applying the lessons learned to Medicare or universal health care, not a massive, dangerous, experiment on everyone. (When the Boeing 777 was introduced, the FAA tested it for a year, they did not shove passengers in and use the 777 on a commercial flight as soon as it left the factory).
The problem with politicians meddling with healthcare and wanting their own system imposed is that they think they know it all, even if they have good intentions. Suzanne, like any politician, thinks it was a heart attack. Even though I'm not a doctor, it could be many other things. Ruptured aortic aneurysum (like Dr. Michael DeBakey), brain aneurysm (singer Laura Branigan), stroke (several kinds), pulmonary embolism (like the NBC reporter in Iraq), cardiac arrythmias (many kinds), epileptic seizure (like someone I read about in the newspaper who was in his 30's), asthmatic attack. So a layman, like me can name 8 things, and a doctor could probably name 25 things. So lets not let politicians try a massive overhaul when they should be fixing things stepwise to see the effects. Like fixing Medicaid first and, if partly successful, then applying the lessons learned to Medicare or universal health care, not a massive, dangerous, experiment on everyone. (When the Boeing 777 was introduced, the FAA tested it for a year, they did not shove passengers in and use the 777 on a commercial flight as soon as it left the factory).
Jun 18, 2009, 11:45 am
#78
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Budapest
Programs: UA Marriott
Posts: 255
It is every 6 months.
(This is different than your regular private pilot [3rd class] exam that is good for 3 years, until you turn 40 at which point it is every 2 years.)
Pax interviews say they were not told during flight;there was just a call for a Doc.
Ciao,
FH
(This is different than your regular private pilot [3rd class] exam that is good for 3 years, until you turn 40 at which point it is every 2 years.)
Pax interviews say they were not told during flight;there was just a call for a Doc.
Ciao,
FH
Jun 18, 2009, 12:00 pm
#79
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lovely Tahoe City
Programs: UA 1mm Gold. Former 1K and GS.
Posts: 951
Media, wow.
CNN continues to state the plane was "Commandeered" by the other pilots. Ahhh....Not so much.
CNN continues to state the plane was "Commandeered" by the other pilots. Ahhh....Not so much.
Jun 18, 2009, 12:06 pm
#80
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 206
Agreed. I was just pointing out that there were "crew rest" seats that are not in the view of the passengers. I don't remember where the access door to the bunks is but I think it is forward in the front galley so with the curtains pulled it would be possible to move someone in there with no pax noticing.
Jun 18, 2009, 12:14 pm
#81
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 333
I fly JFK/EWR-BRU 2-3 times a year, and on DL and CO flights there is always an extra relief (rev) pilot present, so that there are 3 cockpit crew members who each can take turns taking a rest. I'm not sure if this is per regulation for TALT flights, but I always see them around on my flights.
In this case the relief pilot took the spot of the deceased captain. As I read on CNN.COM:
"The airline said the crew on the flight included an additional relief pilot who took the place of the deceased man, and "the flight continued safely with two pilots at the controls."
So the relief pilot WAS part of the crew, and was not flying as a pax.
No doubt if there was only one capable pilot on board that flight, then the flight would have to be diverted to the nearest airport. You never want to have the risk of 2 incapacitated pilots! But since they had 2 fully qualified pilots on board, and the captain could not be helped any more (sad as it is), there was no reason to divert and they could continue to EWR perfectly within regulations (so I assume) and safety.
In this case the relief pilot took the spot of the deceased captain. As I read on CNN.COM:
"The airline said the crew on the flight included an additional relief pilot who took the place of the deceased man, and "the flight continued safely with two pilots at the controls."
So the relief pilot WAS part of the crew, and was not flying as a pax.
No doubt if there was only one capable pilot on board that flight, then the flight would have to be diverted to the nearest airport. You never want to have the risk of 2 incapacitated pilots! But since they had 2 fully qualified pilots on board, and the captain could not be helped any more (sad as it is), there was no reason to divert and they could continue to EWR perfectly within regulations (so I assume) and safety.
Jun 18, 2009, 12:18 pm
#82
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: Continental, American
Posts: 288
Media turns sad situation into ratings...
Judging by some of the headlines on the event, the news outlets want ratings. One was mentioned from CNN, I see that Fox News reads 'Mid-Air Death and Drama'. Really? I'm not saying the event was not extraordinary, but the Death and Drama title just does not fit here in my opinion. 
Jun 18, 2009, 12:18 pm
#83
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAS, SAT, IAH
Programs: Flying Nut
Posts: 6,365
I think they would not have seen what happened as there are multiple curtains etc.
Jun 18, 2009, 12:22 pm
#84
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Judging by some of the headlines on the event, the news outlets want ratings. One was mentioned from CNN, I see that Fox News reads 'Mid-Air Death and Drama'. Really? I'm not saying the event was not extraordinary, but the Death and Drama title just does not fit here in my opinion.
Jun 18, 2009, 12:33 pm
#85
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: EWR and SAN
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I can't stand the media. They are blowing this all out of proportion. I have heard terms such as "Miraculously landing at EWR" and "All passengers safe". They are not saying anything about the crew and making it sound like there was only one pilot and the plane landed on auto pilot. Geeeeezzzzzz, enough already.
My deepest thoughts go out to the family and pilot, it is a sad event.
Jun 18, 2009, 12:34 pm
#86
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: Non-Affiliated
Posts: 7,430
I met a 777 captain at an ATL SkyClub a few months ago, and I know he runs this route sometimes. Really nice guy going through some tough times. Hope this wasn't him. 
Jun 18, 2009, 12:37 pm
#87
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DTW
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The crew rest area is just off the cockpit. I visited the cockpit of the 777 I took to NRT and there is ample room in the cockpit and in the hallway leading to the cockpit. I Even think there is a door/ curtain between the cabin and the cockpit they could use. THe crew rest is a double bunk and with the doors open they could have easily placed a body in there for the remainder of the flight.
It's safe to presume the "average" flyer would be uncomfortable with the idea of a flight crew medical issue, yet we aren't an "average" group. I fully expect that there is a single-pilot landing checklist, which might have to be started 2-3x the distance from the airport. Not to say that it's somethign any pilot would want to go through (both for the cause of the event, and the occurance of the event), and the wheels-down sure would be stressful, yet I suspect it's fully doable. Thankfully, crew staffing appears to prevent such events.
Jun 18, 2009, 12:40 pm
#88
Join Date: May 2005
Location: IAH
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I guarantee no PAX saw the body. Whether he was put into crew rest seats hidden from PAX view or more likely, and what I believe, is strappaed into the jump seat that folds away behind the crew but INSIDE the cockpit. (This is where FAA or maintenance guys sit during checkouts, flight tests, etc.)
Every precaution was taken to keep from alarming passengers.
Every precaution was taken to keep from alarming passengers.
Jun 18, 2009, 12:55 pm
#90
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Houston, Texas
Programs: CO Silver
Posts: 2,600
The pilot rest area is off the corridor leading to the cockpit on the left side of the plane. When the door to the rest area is open, you can't see the cockpit door or what's going on in the corridor/rest area.