Asked to move to keep the plane's weight balanced??
 

Recently I was asked to move from the second seat in the front to the back of an Air Canada CRJ plane flying from YYZ to RDU in order to balance the plane's weight according to the FA. The plane was almost completely full. I am 6 feet, 185 lbs. This sounds crazy to me?? Am I wrong or did the FA have a case?

I've seen people moved for weight and balance issues at least half a dozen times over the years on other carriers. I imagine others here can provide a technical explanation.

Every passenger weighs the same where weight and balance calculations are concerned, so your size and weight were irrelevant. Sometimes passengers have to be moved to bring the plane into its takeoff envelope. You can move back after takeoff.

What is the takeoff window?
 

Just curious. Have never heard that term though I'm aware if pax being moved for takeoff.

Weight and balance re-seating happens all the time on small planes. This was not unusual, although they often ask for volunteers first before just selecting someone.

Every flight has its W&B calculated (and double-checked by a dispatcher). That is one of the reasons why flights close well prior to departure.

While it is more prevalent on smaller aircraft, I have seen passengers moved from front to rear on larger aircraft as well.

As noted, it is generally --- although not always --- necessary on departure. Once the seatbelt sign is off, ask the FA if she can obtain permission to move back (or ask at the time you are moved).

W&B matters on larger aircraft, too. On those, however, they can usually just move cargo.

Getting the W&B wrong can be catastrophic:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation...nes_Flight_102

I remember a few years ago that HA came under fire for announcing a new policy of weighing passengers at checkin! However in that case, I believe it was due to the "average assumed weight" per passenger was not representative of actual weight which led to increased fuel consumption.

Edit: I forgot to mention that this was on 767s no less.

Happens all the time on CRJs. They usually ask for volunteers, though.

Never saw it happen on any jet, even a CRJ. But I was asked once on a USAir Dash8. I'm definitely a big guy though, so while I wasn't expecting it, I wasn't surprised.

Not even "a few years ago", that was 2016!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...-a7375426.html

Oh gosh, my mistake! I didn't realize it was so recently. My sense of time has been so skewed :D

While waiting to leave our gate observed this: http://abc7chicago.com/news/none-hur...hare-/1936543/
Multiple ambulances and fire engines came to the "rescue".

A plane tipping at the gate is very different from during takeoff, mostly because one doesn't have a habit of killing many passengers.

And, yes, it can be a matter of shifting just a couple people around. The acceptable window for the center of gravity can be pretty narrow so moving just a passenger or two can make a difference,, especially on smaller planes.

This incident was not due getting the W&B wrong it was due to cargo being unsecured and moving thus causing a catastrophic W&B issue.

That said I have been several different planes with W&B issues that were solved by either moving or removing PAX.

a long time ago, we were flying out of BVI on a small, 4 engine plane that i cannot find. loading was from the rear. the plane was a little over half full. everyone sat in the rear. the tail went down. the pilot came out, and rearranged the passengers. the pilot was the president of the airline. the tail came off the ground, and we flew to soju with no incidents.