Lightning Strike on UA 593 -- United handled well
Apr 28, 2009, 4:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United 1K (3MM) and RCC, elite levels for most hotel and car programs
Posts: 273
Lightning Strike on UA 593 -- United handled well
My travels on Tuesday, April 21, were marked by a situation that was very unusual for even a traveler of 4 million+ miles.
United 593 departed BWI 30 minutes late on the evening of April 21 after strong winds and thunderstorm activity in the area closed the airport temporarily. About ten minutes into the flight bound for Denver, we were struck on the nose by lightning. The very loud sound and flash of bright light were frightening -- and there were more than a few passenger screams. My first thought was that there had been an explosion.
The plane was also in significant turbulence at the time, so it was not easy to know whether there were any serious problems. I credit the flight purser with getting on the intercom promptly and in a very comforting tone, told us that it had been a lightening strike -- one of only three she had ever experienced in her career. She had a very calming effect on the passengers, assuring us that we would hear from the captain soon.
And we did. The captain, too, was calm and reassuring, telling us that the plane was stable but that as a precaution, we would be landing at Dulles for a maintenance check. He told us that we could listen in to Channel 9 as he talked to the flight controllers for updates.
And I did. A bit disconcerting was what we did hear -- that Dulles was declaring this an emergency -- at which time the captain quickly shifted Channel 9 to music. We landed to quite a display of fire trucks and emergency vehicles and then stopped on the tarmac for a visual inspection of the plane by emergency personnel. Again, the purser was on the PA system, joined periodically by the first officer, to keep us apprized on developments.
When we were cleared to a gate, the purser worked with the Dulles CSAs to arrange next steps, and to keep the process orderly. It was soon clear that the plane we had been on could not be used for the continuation of the flight, so we disembarked and worked with agents at the gate and a nearby Customer Service Center.
I was also impressed with the behind the scenes work. United found a replacement plane and we were led to a new gate and kept informed during the hour+ wait for reboarding. Once back onboard, United announced it was providing snack boxes to all -- as well as a free drink. I was riding up front, and the food and service -- led by the same purser on board the original plane -- was top notch -- unaffected by all of the activity.
And by the time I checked into my hotel in Denver -- weary and four hours delayed -- there was a special message from United apologizing for the delay, reexplaining the problem and offering several appropriate options to express regrets for the experience.
Certainly wish this had not occurred -- but United earned a solid A from me for a team effort in responding to a serious and unsettling event. Hope others find such empathetic treatment when a serious problem arises.
Recreationguru
United 593 departed BWI 30 minutes late on the evening of April 21 after strong winds and thunderstorm activity in the area closed the airport temporarily. About ten minutes into the flight bound for Denver, we were struck on the nose by lightning. The very loud sound and flash of bright light were frightening -- and there were more than a few passenger screams. My first thought was that there had been an explosion.
The plane was also in significant turbulence at the time, so it was not easy to know whether there were any serious problems. I credit the flight purser with getting on the intercom promptly and in a very comforting tone, told us that it had been a lightening strike -- one of only three she had ever experienced in her career. She had a very calming effect on the passengers, assuring us that we would hear from the captain soon.
And we did. The captain, too, was calm and reassuring, telling us that the plane was stable but that as a precaution, we would be landing at Dulles for a maintenance check. He told us that we could listen in to Channel 9 as he talked to the flight controllers for updates.
And I did. A bit disconcerting was what we did hear -- that Dulles was declaring this an emergency -- at which time the captain quickly shifted Channel 9 to music. We landed to quite a display of fire trucks and emergency vehicles and then stopped on the tarmac for a visual inspection of the plane by emergency personnel. Again, the purser was on the PA system, joined periodically by the first officer, to keep us apprized on developments.
When we were cleared to a gate, the purser worked with the Dulles CSAs to arrange next steps, and to keep the process orderly. It was soon clear that the plane we had been on could not be used for the continuation of the flight, so we disembarked and worked with agents at the gate and a nearby Customer Service Center.
I was also impressed with the behind the scenes work. United found a replacement plane and we were led to a new gate and kept informed during the hour+ wait for reboarding. Once back onboard, United announced it was providing snack boxes to all -- as well as a free drink. I was riding up front, and the food and service -- led by the same purser on board the original plane -- was top notch -- unaffected by all of the activity.
And by the time I checked into my hotel in Denver -- weary and four hours delayed -- there was a special message from United apologizing for the delay, reexplaining the problem and offering several appropriate options to express regrets for the experience.
Certainly wish this had not occurred -- but United earned a solid A from me for a team effort in responding to a serious and unsettling event. Hope others find such empathetic treatment when a serious problem arises.
Recreationguru
Apr 28, 2009, 9:38 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Nice report.
Good to see the crew handled the situation so well. It shows all that training really does pay off and they are there primarily for your safety. ^
Good to see the crew handled the situation so well. It shows all that training really does pay off and they are there primarily for your safety. ^
Apr 28, 2009, 2:48 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,484
And we did. The captain, too, was calm and reassuring, telling us that the plane was stable but that as a precaution, we would be landing at Dulles for a maintenance check. He told us that we could listen in to Channel 9 as he talked to the flight controllers for updates.
And I did. A bit disconcerting was what we did hear -- that Dulles was declaring this an emergency -- at which time the captain quickly shifted Channel 9 to music.
Apr 28, 2009, 3:54 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Posts: 482
Sounds like a good Job. But I can understand why they Switched off Channel 9. Don't want to panic people up the back.
Apr 29, 2009, 8:14 am
#9
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Join Date: Sep 2000
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