UA82 (EWR-DEL) Medical emergency diversion to LHR
Mar 5, 2018, 6:06 am
#46
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
That will depend on the flight path of the day, the seriousness of the emergency, the time, resources available at airports and hospitals, and many other factors. I highly doubt United would have diverted if there was not a good chance of survival.
That being said, I am curious as to how the crew times out. A medical diversion shouldn't take more than an hour and to my knowledge the crew should have easily had an hour butter built in.
That being said, I am curious as to how the crew times out. A medical diversion shouldn't take more than an hour and to my knowledge the crew should have easily had an hour butter built in.
Mar 5, 2018, 6:07 am
#47
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 843
It’s not “union BS.”
The flight attendants agreed to a joint contract and merged seniority list quite some time ago (at least a year, IIRC). However, the FAs were on separate scheduling/work management systems that, supposedly, can’t handle the combined list (at least, not without major modifications), so UA has been working on installing a new system which is required before they can actually merge the two groups together and implement the new contract.
The flight attendants agreed to a joint contract and merged seniority list quite some time ago (at least a year, IIRC). However, the FAs were on separate scheduling/work management systems that, supposedly, can’t handle the combined list (at least, not without major modifications), so UA has been working on installing a new system which is required before they can actually merge the two groups together and implement the new contract.
Mar 5, 2018, 7:23 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
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Keep in mind - plane was 43 minutes late departing gate at EWR.) Shows 9:20 duration for diversion and currently another 7 hrs from LHR to final destination so not sure of regulations of timeout but looking at easily 18 hrs not including ground delay in LHR.Makes sense crew timeout.
Mar 5, 2018, 10:13 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,184
Did you have the opportunity to talk directly to the MedLink doctors through the sat-phone on the 777? I'd be interesting in hearing your impressions on the service and resources they were able to provide.
Mar 5, 2018, 10:43 am
#50
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
I believe I was patched through to MedLink through the cockpit radio. They were very professional and asked good questions about what I observed and what I thought the best course of action would be. Once we agreed on a plan, they stayed online while I administered some medications and made the patient comfortable. We agreed on my decision that the patient could continue on the flight. Excellent interaction.
Mar 5, 2018, 12:27 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,184
I believe I was patched through to MedLink through the cockpit radio. They were very professional and asked good questions about what I observed and what I thought the best course of action would be. Once we agreed on a plan, they stayed online while I administered some medications and made the patient comfortable. We agreed on my decision that the patient could continue on the flight. Excellent interaction.
Mar 5, 2018, 12:38 pm
#52
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 444
Mar 5, 2018, 2:22 pm
#53
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
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There are rather more scheduled flights to DEL from LHR than from other *A hubs in Europe, so it would be easier to re-accommodate.
Mar 6, 2018, 12:36 am
#54
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
I missed what the actual emergency was? I can't think it was that pressing, or else they would have landed somewhere in Norway. So serious enough not to go on, but not serious enough to put it down right now?
Mar 6, 2018, 6:27 am
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Gold + 1MM; HHonors Gold; Marriott Plat
Posts: 747
I have rendered care on flights many times, and there is never a question about diverting should the need exist. On one particular IAD-DXB (I miss this one) flight, there was a pax in obvious pain and we were just over Nova Scotia. My assessment was that we could keep the passenger comfortable, and through collaboration between the pilot, ground medical control, and a few of us on the plane, we were able to continue all the way to DXB. I learned after the flight that the pilot had mapped out all potential diversion locations and that the crew would indeed have timed out had we landed somewhere. It would have taken more than an hour to sort out parking, removing the patient, paperwork, refueling (if necessary), etc. and that (as best as I understood it) the total time involved would have caused the crew to time out.
Secondly, I really miss the IAD-DXB UA flight too. It was a great route to connect to West and South Asia.
Mar 6, 2018, 6:42 am
#56
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 205
...not exactly....there is no metal restriction for pilots, meaning they can fly either subs equipment type, while the fa’s still can only fly their subs metal, ie lhr based Sua fa’s couldn’t replace the sCO stews in this particular incident... supposedly we’ll be merged in Oct.
Mar 6, 2018, 8:45 am
#57
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Trust me flight deck FAR 117 requirements are tight on EWR-India flights. In fact the slightest delay of a EWR-India flt often results in the later EWR-TLV flight crew getting reassigned to it. A fresh cross certified cabin crew in LHR will do nothing to stop the flight deck limitations.
Mar 6, 2018, 2:44 pm
#58
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago: ORD, MDW
Programs: United Million Mile Flyer, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold, DL, AA WN
Posts: 514
A diversion would also require more fuel.
I was once on a HNL - SFO 747 that had backed away from the gate when there was a medical emergency that caused a return to the gate. The delay was extended because the captain asked to top off the fuel. It took time to get the fuel ordered, and for the truck to arrive and top off the tanks.
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I was once on a HNL - SFO 747 that had backed away from the gate when there was a medical emergency that caused a return to the gate. The delay was extended because the captain asked to top off the fuel. It took time to get the fuel ordered, and for the truck to arrive and top off the tanks.
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Mar 6, 2018, 2:59 pm
#59
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
A diversion would also require more fuel.
I was once on a HNL - SFO 747 that had backed away from the gate when there was a medical emergency that caused a return to the gate. The delay was extended because the captain asked to top off the fuel. It took time to get the fuel ordered, and for the truck to arrive and top off the tanks.
.
I was once on a HNL - SFO 747 that had backed away from the gate when there was a medical emergency that caused a return to the gate. The delay was extended because the captain asked to top off the fuel. It took time to get the fuel ordered, and for the truck to arrive and top off the tanks.
.
Mar 6, 2018, 7:52 pm
#60
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Frensham, Lincolnshire
Programs: RFC
Posts: 5,083
That Evil Union managed to trick the Noble and Pure Management into signing yet another terrible contract, huh? Is there no end to how devious The Unions are?!
Admittedly, American unions are idiots that're stuck 50 years behind the times. But still: it takes two to tango (so badly).
Admittedly, American unions are idiots that're stuck 50 years behind the times. But still: it takes two to tango (so badly).