47 CO Pax Imprisoned Overnight on Stinky E145 @ Rochester, MN
Aug 11, 2009, 4:02 pm
#301
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There has been a lot of criticism aimed at the captain of this flight, and I think she rightfully deserves her share for the blame here.
But another aspect of this, which is not as obvious but probably played a far more determinant role was the role played by the XJ control center types somewhere in a bunker a thousand miles away.
Whatever shockingly inumane decision was made was almost certainly decided by them, not the captain, and almost certainly on the basis of not wanting to spend one cent of the company's money to take care of their customers.
At the very least I believe this merits further research.
But another aspect of this, which is not as obvious but probably played a far more determinant role was the role played by the XJ control center types somewhere in a bunker a thousand miles away.
Whatever shockingly inumane decision was made was almost certainly decided by them, not the captain, and almost certainly on the basis of not wanting to spend one cent of the company's money to take care of their customers.
At the very least I believe this merits further research.
Aug 11, 2009, 5:02 pm
#302
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MEDIA RELEASE from Rochester Mayor Ardell F. Brede
Date: August 11, 2009
Rochester International Airport and Continental Flight 2816
As chair of the Rochester Airport Commission I am responding to the incident that occurred early Saturday morning at our airport regarding Continental Flight 2816 that had been diverted from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) due to weather.
Obviously, at that point, for the safety of the passengers and crew it was a wise decision.
Following the landing, more severe weather, and a required crew change due to hours of service the situation was the responsibility of Continental Dispatch in MSP.
Our airport staff, Delta staff and the RST Main Terminal (with vending machines, seating and bathrooms) were all available for passengers on board of Flight 2816 to deplane.
I do not know the reasons Continental did not allow their plane to come to the terminal to deplane and await MSP clearance. It was not necessary to have TSA security screeners on duty as the passengers would have been able to deplane and remain on the secure side of the terminal.
I think we all know that since 9/11 there are many more restrictions for passengers.
Do I understand the need for all of them – NO! but there are rules and our airport staff followed them.
Were they concerned about the comfort and safety of the passengers on Flight 2816—you bet!
There is a reason Senator Klobuchar, and others, have introduced Federal Legislation to forbid having passengers confined in such situations for more than 3 hours (I think two would be too long).
I thank our airport staff and Delta staff (who had no direct jurisdiction) for their efforts in what certainly was a situation that should not be repeated. As an aside, on Sunday, at the opening ceremony of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Major General Larry Shellito, the Adjutant General, Minnesota came to me and wanted me to know that our airport staff went ―above and beyond the tour of duty‖ and ―bent over backwards‖ to accommodate several National Guard flights that were diverted to Rochester.
Fly staff, Fly Rochester! And thanks again to our airport staff. They were not at fault for doing their job.
Mayor Ardell F. Brede
Date: August 11, 2009
Rochester International Airport and Continental Flight 2816
As chair of the Rochester Airport Commission I am responding to the incident that occurred early Saturday morning at our airport regarding Continental Flight 2816 that had been diverted from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) due to weather.
Obviously, at that point, for the safety of the passengers and crew it was a wise decision.
Following the landing, more severe weather, and a required crew change due to hours of service the situation was the responsibility of Continental Dispatch in MSP.
Our airport staff, Delta staff and the RST Main Terminal (with vending machines, seating and bathrooms) were all available for passengers on board of Flight 2816 to deplane.
I do not know the reasons Continental did not allow their plane to come to the terminal to deplane and await MSP clearance. It was not necessary to have TSA security screeners on duty as the passengers would have been able to deplane and remain on the secure side of the terminal.
I think we all know that since 9/11 there are many more restrictions for passengers.
Do I understand the need for all of them – NO! but there are rules and our airport staff followed them.
Were they concerned about the comfort and safety of the passengers on Flight 2816—you bet!
There is a reason Senator Klobuchar, and others, have introduced Federal Legislation to forbid having passengers confined in such situations for more than 3 hours (I think two would be too long).
I thank our airport staff and Delta staff (who had no direct jurisdiction) for their efforts in what certainly was a situation that should not be repeated. As an aside, on Sunday, at the opening ceremony of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Major General Larry Shellito, the Adjutant General, Minnesota came to me and wanted me to know that our airport staff went ―above and beyond the tour of duty‖ and ―bent over backwards‖ to accommodate several National Guard flights that were diverted to Rochester.
Fly staff, Fly Rochester! And thanks again to our airport staff. They were not at fault for doing their job.
Mayor Ardell F. Brede
Aug 11, 2009, 5:12 pm
#303
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Interesting statement by the mayor....curious to see what co's response will be....
Aug 11, 2009, 5:16 pm
#304
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Originally Posted by Mayor Brede
<SNIP> I think we all know that since 9/11 there are many more restrictions for passengers. Do I understand the need for all of them – NO!
Aug 11, 2009, 5:17 pm
#305
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Aug 11, 2009, 5:28 pm
#306
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STATEMENT BY U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY RAY LAHOOD ON CONTINENTAL EXPRESS TARMAC DELAY
I have asked the Department of Transportation’s General Counsel to look into whether Continental Airlines or its regional partner Express Jet Airlines has violated any laws in connection with the lengthy tarmac delay on their Houston-Minneapolis flight over the weekend in which passengers were stuck in a small plane for seven hours. While we don’t yet have all the facts, this incident as reported is very troubling. We are investigating the incident and will do whatever we can to make sure passengers are not subjected to such situations in the future.
Note: Continental was among airlines fined on Monday by the Transportation Department for violations of other consumer laws (related to fare advertising) http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot11809.htm
I have asked the Department of Transportation’s General Counsel to look into whether Continental Airlines or its regional partner Express Jet Airlines has violated any laws in connection with the lengthy tarmac delay on their Houston-Minneapolis flight over the weekend in which passengers were stuck in a small plane for seven hours. While we don’t yet have all the facts, this incident as reported is very troubling. We are investigating the incident and will do whatever we can to make sure passengers are not subjected to such situations in the future.
Note: Continental was among airlines fined on Monday by the Transportation Department for violations of other consumer laws (related to fare advertising) http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot11809.htm
Aug 11, 2009, 5:35 pm
#307
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If anyone should be fined, it should be ExpressJet, NOT Continental.
Aug 11, 2009, 5:49 pm
#308
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Aug 11, 2009, 5:50 pm
#309
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This whole story is quite 
. I hope that all the facts get reported so that we can see just what went wrong and how not to repeat this experience/situation again.
. I hope that all the facts get reported so that we can see just what went wrong and how not to repeat this experience/situation again.
Aug 11, 2009, 6:02 pm
#311
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Continental certainly bears their fair share of responsibility here. The mayor's statement clearly says that it was under the control/direction of Continental dispatch in MSP. These are Continental passengers, on Continental tickets, and under Continental operational control. There is no seperate Continental ExpressJet ticketing, operational control, or contract or carraige, if I'm not mistaken. To the extent that CO has a problem communicating with or directing their direct or subcontracted employees or equipment, that is their problem to resolve and the responsibility that they have. In short, maybe some of this was ExpressJet's fault, but that doesn't mean it isn't Continental's responsibility.
peace,
~Ben~
peace,
~Ben~
Aug 11, 2009, 6:11 pm
#312
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MEDIA RELEASE from Rochester Mayor Ardell F. Brede -- Date: August 11, 2009
Rochester International Airport and Continental Flight 2816
...
Following the landing, more severe weather, and a required crew change due to hours of service the situation was the responsibility of Continental Dispatch in MSP. ...
Mayor Ardell F. Brede
Rochester International Airport and Continental Flight 2816
...
Following the landing, more severe weather, and a required crew change due to hours of service the situation was the responsibility of Continental Dispatch in MSP. ...
Mayor Ardell F. Brede
Is he mistaking that with NW?
CO Crew Scheduling and Dispatch would not control XJ's crew or aircraft.
Aug 11, 2009, 6:13 pm
#313
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Aug 11, 2009, 6:20 pm
#314
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peace,
~Ben~