Just Blame Mesaba
Aug 21, 2009, 12:49 pm
#1
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Just Blame Mesaba
This seems pretty ridiculous for many reasons...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32508662/ns/travel-news/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32508662/ns/travel-news/
Aug 21, 2009, 1:01 pm
#2
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This seems pretty ridiculous for many reasons...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32508662/ns/travel-news/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32508662/ns/travel-news/
The slide show of air travel related cartoons is at the link is worth the trip.
Aug 21, 2009, 1:28 pm
#3
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So it's going to boil down to an 8 buck an hour overnight clerk. Gimme a break.
I have a hard time believing that there is no way to escalate something like this to somebody who should care and has authority to make proper arrangements for the people that pay for air transportation.
How many times does this have to happen before there is a clear cut rule.
I have a hard time believing that there is no way to escalate something like this to somebody who should care and has authority to make proper arrangements for the people that pay for air transportation.
How many times does this have to happen before there is a clear cut rule.
Aug 21, 2009, 1:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,576
The media has been horrible with reporting this issue from the get go... no surprises there. Of course, they're not going to mention the fact that Mesaba was dealing with scheduled inbounds AND diversions of their own. I still smell a rat here. There has got to be even more to the story we're not being told. The DOT makes it sound like Mesaba didn't try to do anything, when all you have to do is listen to the tapes linked by the Star Trib and listen to the conversation.
There is PLENTY of blame to go around here.
There is PLENTY of blame to go around here.
Aug 21, 2009, 3:32 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Posts: 605
Good old RST XJ. Why they woudln't have just taxied over to Signature Flight Services (who handles biz jets 24 hrs, I'm sure they can handle a little ERJ) and let people off. Obvioulsy since the crew timed out and a new crew had to fly in on the first sched of the day from MSP (arr. 10am), they knew people weren't going to be getting back on the plane until security re-opened. Why Mesaba would have refused to let people off is also beyond me (unless maybe there was no gate open...?) 1 XJ RON + 9E RON + A320?
Aug 21, 2009, 3:41 pm
#6
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...Mesaba was the only airline with staff still at the Rochester, Minn., airport that Friday night...
Aug 21, 2009, 3:49 pm
#7
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Totally agree, why would it be Mesaba's responsibility in the first place? They don't contract with XJet at RST, so really they have zero obligation (other than goodwill, of course) to help XJet out... I mean, if we're going to use this logic, why isn't it Eagle's fault for not waking their people up at home and having them drive to the airport to deboard CO's flight? I mean Eagle would make more sense anyway as they already fly ERJs to RST so they have all the equipment...
Aug 21, 2009, 4:23 pm
#8
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This seems pretty ridiculous for many reasons...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32508662/ns/travel-news/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32508662/ns/travel-news/
http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot12709.htm
Aug 21, 2009, 7:00 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
I made this point in the CO forum. RST is a designated diversion airport. They are supported to have contingency plans that include all aspects, including calling back in the airport manager and TSA is need be. CO isn't totally out of it, but I think the DOT is going to come down hard on Mesaba because there is likely a written policy of what to do that wasn't followed.
Still, the DOT hasn't done a whole lot of interviewing with the RST ground ops, they should have withheld the release.
Still, the DOT hasn't done a whole lot of interviewing with the RST ground ops, they should have withheld the release.
Aug 21, 2009, 8:37 pm
#10
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I made this point in the CO forum. RST is a designated diversion airport. They are supported to have contingency plans that include all aspects, including calling back in the airport manager and TSA is need be. CO isn't totally out of it, but I think the DOT is going to come down hard on Mesaba because there is likely a written policy of what to do that wasn't followed.
It would be interesting to know:
1) if the plans existed
2) if they had been rehearsed
3) whether anyone at the airport that night knew of them or where to find them
Aug 21, 2009, 9:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
Contingency plans are next to worthless if they are not rehearsed with those responsible for implementing them.
It would be interesting to know:
1) if the plans existed
2) if they had been rehearsed
3) whether anyone at the airport that night knew of them or where to find them
It would be interesting to know:
1) if the plans existed
2) if they had been rehearsed
3) whether anyone at the airport that night knew of them or where to find them
Aug 22, 2009, 12:17 pm
#12
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Well it looks like DL is going to get hooked for this one allright although I have to say that I agree there are some missing points about what is/isn't authorized in such scenarios. I find it interesting that the captain of a plane doesn't have the authority to make some sort of call and was apparently at the mercy of limited ground staff.
As some have mentioned though I'm guessing the Mesaba rep probably felt stuck. If you're an hourly emp would you be willing to take responsibility for something like this?
Of course the real victims of this disaster were the passengers. I'm not fond of being inside a Ken-jet for an hour hop. To be stuck on the ground in one of those things is close to unimagineable.
As some have mentioned though I'm guessing the Mesaba rep probably felt stuck. If you're an hourly emp would you be willing to take responsibility for something like this?
Of course the real victims of this disaster were the passengers. I'm not fond of being inside a Ken-jet for an hour hop. To be stuck on the ground in one of those things is close to unimagineable.
Aug 22, 2009, 4:29 pm
#13
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Maybe I am crazy here but this was a ERJ, they have stairs. All they needed was an oprn door to the airport, not really a gate. Sure they normally have some one escort you etc, but at midnight I think they can make a few exceptions.
Aug 22, 2009, 4:37 pm
#14
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So you just pull over and deplane?
Why does everyone make more of it than the obvious. Mesaba said NO. End of story. Buck needs to stop somewhere. Can't just pull up to Signature and say, "hello, feed and house this plane full of people."
Aug 22, 2009, 4:50 pm
#15
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