While the pilot dumps fuel, what do YOU do?
May 25, 2007 | 3:58 pm
#31
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: California
Programs: Alaska MVPG, SWA CP, SWA A list, Hyatt Platinum, Hhilton Gold, Makai Club
Posts: 244
approximately 8 years ago
I was on an SAS flight from Copenhagen back to the US. About 3 hours out of Copenhagen we were over icebergs only and they announced one of the engines was not working and that we would dump out fuel at sea and turn around and try to get back to Copenhagen.
I did not panic or worry, as it wouldn't have made things any better. Until you have been in a situation like this, you don't really know how you would behave/react.
We did get back to Copenhagen and they immediately tried to convince everyone to get back on another plane which would reach Chicago at 2 am, then they would try to rebook those of us going to the West Coast. Virtually everyone went, but as I am disabled and doubted they would take good care of me getting me to/from ORD to a hotel until a flight to the West Coast took off much later the next morning, I refused
that option and insisted to be put up in a hotel after the ordeal. They originally refused, but finally relented, and I took the same flight the following day, uneventfully.
I did not panic or worry, as it wouldn't have made things any better. Until you have been in a situation like this, you don't really know how you would behave/react.
We did get back to Copenhagen and they immediately tried to convince everyone to get back on another plane which would reach Chicago at 2 am, then they would try to rebook those of us going to the West Coast. Virtually everyone went, but as I am disabled and doubted they would take good care of me getting me to/from ORD to a hotel until a flight to the West Coast took off much later the next morning, I refused
that option and insisted to be put up in a hotel after the ordeal. They originally refused, but finally relented, and I took the same flight the following day, uneventfully.
May 25, 2007 | 4:37 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,462
Now that that UA897 has landed, and everyone appears to be okay, I was curious as to what you do during the hour or so the pilot is dumping fuel. Even after 1.3 million miles, I've never had an on-board emergency (not surprising, statistically). Do you re-read the safety card? Break the rules and call your loved ones? Write your will? Open the duty-free bottle of gin you bought? Cry? Pray?
Does anyone have a first-hand experience they would like to talk about?
Does anyone have a first-hand experience they would like to talk about?
May 25, 2007 | 4:51 pm
#33
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM
Posts: 382
Yes they had channel 9 more than 18 years ago and most people knew how to spell in those days (just kidding). Something else that used to happen 20 years ago is if you added you mileage plus to award trips they would credit the mileage to your account. It was a great deal when flying from the east coast to HNL.
Wow, I did not know... I learn something new everyday at FlyerTalk.
I'm suprised and wonder why United is the only airline that i know of that does allow it's passengers to listen in on ATC.
May 25, 2007 | 5:16 pm
#34
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: DL Plat, UA Million Miler / fmr. 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold.
Posts: 6,717
Draft a complaint letter to WHQ asking for miles actually traveled for this flight rather than point-to-point (0) miles.
May 25, 2007 | 5:39 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UA metal
Posts: 284
i agree with mahasamatman.
Though, I suspect, many of the silent FlyerTalk readers wonder "what compensation" they are entitled to. You know, because "their inconvenience" is all that matters. Also, I bet they also want to make sure they get the full miles for the original trip and get the additional miles for the rest of the to the final destination. And finally, how they can blame this dumping of fuel directly correlates to the lack of service and/or knowledge at the ICC.
Though, I suspect, many of the silent FlyerTalk readers wonder "what compensation" they are entitled to. You know, because "their inconvenience" is all that matters. Also, I bet they also want to make sure they get the full miles for the original trip and get the additional miles for the rest of the to the final destination. And finally, how they can blame this dumping of fuel directly correlates to the lack of service and/or knowledge at the ICC.
May 25, 2007 | 6:55 pm
#40
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Oakland,CA,USA
Programs: UAL Gold Million-Mile
Posts: 339
On an Air France CDG-SFO flight back in the 90s we had to put down in Glasgow to off load a passenger with a medical problem.
I seem to recall it taking at most 20 minutes for the 747 to void.
From my port-side window seat I could see the plume of fuel issuing from the wing tip.
Once we got landed the medics had to come on and got the guy off.
Then had to refuel.
Total about 90 minutes delay.
I suspect AF lost money on that flight.
I seem to recall it taking at most 20 minutes for the 747 to void.
From my port-side window seat I could see the plume of fuel issuing from the wing tip.
Once we got landed the medics had to come on and got the guy off.
Then had to refuel.
Total about 90 minutes delay.
I suspect AF lost money on that flight.
May 25, 2007 | 6:59 pm
#42
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: CA; UA GS MM
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 163
Great quote! Still laughing.
This reminds me of an old joke:
A flight was going from SFO to HNL and the pilot came on to say that one of the 4 engines just quit. That's fine, perfectly safe but the flight will take a little longer to arrive at the destination.
Well a little later, the pilot came on again and said, "you wouldn't believe it but we just lost a second engine. No worry, this plane can fly on just two engines but it will take a bit longer to reach HNL." The passengers didn't say much or seemed worried.
30 minutes later, the captain came on the PA again and said, "Amazing, we just lost the third engine. But be assured, we can fly on one engine. But as before, we will fly slower and will get to HNL even later than planned".
At that point, one passenger turn to his neighbor and said, "Jeez, if we lose the last engine, we'd be up here forever".
This reminds me of an old joke:
A flight was going from SFO to HNL and the pilot came on to say that one of the 4 engines just quit. That's fine, perfectly safe but the flight will take a little longer to arrive at the destination.
Well a little later, the pilot came on again and said, "you wouldn't believe it but we just lost a second engine. No worry, this plane can fly on just two engines but it will take a bit longer to reach HNL." The passengers didn't say much or seemed worried.
30 minutes later, the captain came on the PA again and said, "Amazing, we just lost the third engine. But be assured, we can fly on one engine. But as before, we will fly slower and will get to HNL even later than planned".
At that point, one passenger turn to his neighbor and said, "Jeez, if we lose the last engine, we'd be up here forever".
May 25, 2007 | 7:56 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: BKK - 1P
Posts: 986
How would I react? I'm a rational guy. When the going gets rough, I look around for the Flight Attendants. If they're not terrified, then neither am I. If they're screaming, I scream. 
I admit that fear is most manageable when it's brief. Losing an engine every half hour would be difficult to shrug off.
My two emergencies were both mercifully brief. In the past 3 years I've been on two aborted takeoffs from SFO on transpac 747's. Must have been just below V1 'cause by the time we shuddered to a halt there was no runway remaining. In fact, the March '07 event popped all the heat plugs in the tires, requiring a 6 hour delay to swap them out.
Supposedly a full-time pilot would only have to abort once every seven years. Just my luck. So, plan your transpacs on the days I'm staying home.
I admit that fear is most manageable when it's brief. Losing an engine every half hour would be difficult to shrug off.
My two emergencies were both mercifully brief. In the past 3 years I've been on two aborted takeoffs from SFO on transpac 747's. Must have been just below V1 'cause by the time we shuddered to a halt there was no runway remaining. In fact, the March '07 event popped all the heat plugs in the tires, requiring a 6 hour delay to swap them out.
Supposedly a full-time pilot would only have to abort once every seven years. Just my luck. So, plan your transpacs on the days I'm staying home.
May 25, 2007 | 8:00 pm
#44
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC, AA, UA, BA, Hilton
Posts: 2,907
Glad they made it back safely.
Question for flight-deck crews. I thought I read somewhere (don't remember where though) that not all commercial airliners have the ability to dump fuel when in the air. Are there any aircraft types flying today that may not be able to dump fuel in an emergency, and instead would have to try to burn off the fuel, if possible, to avoid an overweight landing?
bj-21.
Question for flight-deck crews. I thought I read somewhere (don't remember where though) that not all commercial airliners have the ability to dump fuel when in the air. Are there any aircraft types flying today that may not be able to dump fuel in an emergency, and instead would have to try to burn off the fuel, if possible, to avoid an overweight landing?
bj-21.
May 25, 2007 | 8:29 pm
#45
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,927