Plenty of bumps this Winter
Mar 11, 2019, 2:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1
Plenty of bumps this Winter
Hey folks. New guy on the forum. I have been a WN guy for years. A+ listed for probably the last 6 or so. Needless to say, I travel relatively often. Has anyone noticed a more than usual amount of trips that have been very bumpy? I have done 4 in the past month that have all had at least one leg where the attendants were unable to carry out service. BWI is my home airport. I have done Buffalo, Dallas, SLC and STL. Is this simply a function of the winter weather (I don't recall it ever being this bad), or, something with operations? I even had my first 'go around' on the Buffalo to BWI landing.
Mar 11, 2019, 3:04 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,536
I had a landing into BWI that was probably the second worse ride of my flight life. Also a DEN-ABQ segment that was a fun armrest gripping rodeo, interestingly the crew managed a full service on that after "the catch you next time" apology on the 4 smooth segments prior.
Mar 11, 2019, 4:00 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
During this past winter the jet stream, instead of making a nice straight west-east path across the country, has been looking more like a slithering snake making large north-south gyrations. Also the jet stream is reaching down to lower altitudes than usual. Especially during polar vortices.
It is harder to flight plan to avoid this, thus your airplane may encounter more turbulent air than in a normal winter (if those still exist).
It is harder to flight plan to avoid this, thus your airplane may encounter more turbulent air than in a normal winter (if those still exist).
Mar 11, 2019, 4:09 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,302
Yeah, I also got excited when opening this thread. VDB's are quite a unicorn on WN these days since it was determined modern day society is not capable of handling overbooking.
Mar 11, 2019, 4:28 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,459
Mar 11, 2019, 4:32 pm
#9
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
So, if the post is about BUMPY weather, and not your post... I am also confused.
YOUR POST: VBDs are up right now with the maintenance issues, with passengers stranded overnight and the need to get them out on the first flight next morning
YOUR POST: VBDs are up right now with the maintenance issues, with passengers stranded overnight and the need to get them out on the first flight next morning
Mar 11, 2019, 4:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,919
Mar 12, 2019, 6:01 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 245
It could be my imagination, but it seems to me that flying is in general more bumpy these days. (Little anecdote: my family flew overseas during the dawn of the jet age, and my dad consoled my nervous-flyer mother by balancing a cigarette on end on the tray table). As I understand climate change, this is to be expected, with generally warmer temperatures and more moisture in the atmosphere.
Mar 12, 2019, 6:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: Hilton Gold Mariott Gold Aeroplan E25K SAS Gold NEXUS
Posts: 1,308
I would say most of my flights this winter had some bumps, and I had 3 or 4 that were predominantly bumpy. I have had worse over the years. I flew WN a few times but mostly UA/AC, worst one was some storms in Chicago made a bit of an exciting approach (flight attendants take your seats please type), and then some super windy days in Toronto made some exciting takeoffs. I also though had the smoothest flight of my life from GSO to IAD on of all things a CRJ 200 (aka devils chariot) on United.
The WN flights from BUF - TPA and BWI - BUF and one from BUF-MDW-STL were all just average - just a few bumps here and there.
I really do wish WN flew from Toronto or Hamilton, it would be very convenient for me. Not their thing I know but . . .
The WN flights from BUF - TPA and BWI - BUF and one from BUF-MDW-STL were all just average - just a few bumps here and there.
I really do wish WN flew from Toronto or Hamilton, it would be very convenient for me. Not their thing I know but . . .