Lost out on $1500 voucher due to being relatively calm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,508
“Today (Wednesday) we discovered the weights being sent to our Dispatch Operation did not match our other weight records for a number of aircraft in the fleet. As a result, and of an abundance of caution, we have stopped flying those aircraft to recalculate the weights of the aircraft in question and reset the program.”
#18
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,245
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Where dd anyone say this is some policy or regular occurrence or that there was any hope of 5 no shows??
#20
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
Posts: 819
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Rapid Rewards, AAdvantage, SkyMiles
Posts: 2,931
I'm guessing this is more of a problem with the -800's? Had "unfavorable winds" on a MCO-PHX flight, completely full -700 and we had to take on more fuel. We were completely safe weight wise but 1-2 people chose to voluntarily get off because they were scared lol.
#22
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,508
Given that the airline cancelled 30 flights and grounded 66 planes for a weight reporting lapse in August, it's hard to conclude that "unfavorable winds" led to OPs recent delay. Yes, it sure could have. But I suspect the reason may be more complicated.
In the memo, Southwest employees were instructed to give this reason to customers regarding the cancellations:
“This aircraft is temporarily out of service while we work on its paperwork. The system that calculates and reports the aircraft’s weight is not working properly.”
“This aircraft is temporarily out of service while we work on its paperwork. The system that calculates and reports the aircraft’s weight is not working properly.”
#24
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: GNV,TPA, & HOU
Programs: Hertz Presidents Circle, National EE, Lots of Stupid CCs&The I Am Crazy Enough To Actually Pay For F
Posts: 357
lol what were they scared of? Only been concerned flying about twice. One was an aborted take off with oil spewing out of an engine in the islands, the other was fuel spewing out of a wing leak on an MD88 lol 50 knot crosswind landings can be a little dicey too
#25
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Believe it or not, for weight & balance calculation purposes, the FAA defines a "person" as a flat 170 pounds no matter what the actual weights they are. (Or at least they did when I was taught). I imagine a lot of rounding and safety cushion goes into the calculation being theoretical calculations anyway.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,770
Believe it or not, for weight & balance calculation purposes, the FAA defines a "person" as a flat 170 pounds no matter what the actual weights they are. (Or at least they did when I was taught). I imagine a lot of rounding and safety cushion goes into the calculation being theoretical calculations anyway.
If a take-off at MGTOW lifted off the ground 100 feet before the end of the runway, then it could be an issue. But that's not allowed; that is WAY past the legal limit.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Believe it or not, for weight & balance calculation purposes, the FAA defines a "person" as a flat 170 pounds no matter what the actual weights they are. (Or at least they did when I was taught). I imagine a lot of rounding and safety cushion goes into the calculation being theoretical calculations anyway.
#28
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Keep in mind that many of your fellow passengers are just barely okay with flying in the first place. I am sure there are some that are praying the flight will be cancelled so they can go back home and fly in this crazy plane. Beyond logic, but human emotion often overtakes logic and common sense.
If you listen around you next time there is delay because of a warning light or simple malfunction, you will hear people chatting that the are nervous. They seem to think the pilot would fly even if knew it was dangerous. Again, logic and common sense have no bearing for many people.
If you listen around you next time there is delay because of a warning light or simple malfunction, you will hear people chatting that the are nervous. They seem to think the pilot would fly even if knew it was dangerous. Again, logic and common sense have no bearing for many people.
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,717
Hilarious. Believe it or not, but most people who buy a ticket actually want to get where they are going - not to make some coin on the flight. This probably goes double for those who fly a lot aka elite aka A-list so it makes no sense to offer first to elites nor would that go over well with the kettle crowd.
With all of the weather this week OP should feel fortunate to get where they were going. Personally I like seats up front but I'm not going to take a middle seat there vs. an aisle farther back because there is a 1/100,000 chance of a VDB call after everyone has boarded.
With all of the weather this week OP should feel fortunate to get where they were going. Personally I like seats up front but I'm not going to take a middle seat there vs. an aisle farther back because there is a 1/100,000 chance of a VDB call after everyone has boarded.