HawaiiDave

I was on this flight last Friday and wanted to get the thoughts of fellow FTers. Originally scheduled DCA-IAH. Before we boarded, the GA said "folks, we have some good news! Because we are making a stop in New Orleans, everyone will be able to make this flight" Others at the gate looked at each other with a puzzled face. Side note: She was flustered and called Group 1 after active military, causing a ruckus.
The UA app on my phone showed "Diversion through MSY", with an unknown delay. To make a long story short, the Captain said once we were onboard that it was a weight and balance issue and we needed fuel in MSY to make it to IAH. Now, a 738 that has a 3000+ mile range can't make it from DCA-IAH, a 1,200 mile leg? The flight distance from DCA-MSY is 970 miles, not much of a savings. We ended up being only an hour and a half late into IAH, but quite a few people missed their connections. I don't think I've ever seen a divert like this. Would a heavy cargo load cause such a decrease in range?

Maxwell Smart

Could be cargo (either weight or location it had to be placed in the hold).
Could be some maintenance issue that limited which fuel tanks could be used.
Could be some other structural/mechanical issue that limited max landing weight.

lhen01

Did you get an extra PQF for the stop?

wrp96

With the weather across the south Friday it's possible that you had to take an unusual route to get to IAH which added to the need for diversion.

EWR764

Routing to avoid weather + pax + bags + hold fuel + short departure runway at DCA probably meant either take pax/bags off or planned fuel stop.

HawaiiDave

"Did you get an extra PQF for the stop?"
Unfortunately not

LarryJ

Looks like it was 1678 on the 31st, not the 30th.

The airplane had an inoperative center fuel tank boost pump preventing the use of the center fuel tank. That limited the amount of fuel that could be burned on the flight and, to make it all the way to IAH on the available fuel, the weight of the aircraft would have to be limited requiring passengers to be left behind. By making the fuel stop, they were able to carry all of the passengers and bags. The fuel pump was replace the next day.

HawaiiDave

You are correct, I fat-fingered the date in the subject line. That solves the mystery, as I knew the forum would deliver! Thanks LarryJ

txaggiemiles

Or most importantly a second PDB?

fumje

Or even a first, for that matter.

HawaiiDave

Oh no, I died at #9 on the upgrade list (no PP applied), so I was in my usual place in 10C. No PDB for me! They did not offer any service on the MSY-IAH leg at all, in either cabin. I was really looking forward to that additional tapas box

Kmxu

Write in to see whether or not you get a second PQF, mentioning that you had two takeoffs and landings.

jhayes_1780

I don't see a so I'm assuming your serious....

No, UA won't do this (I can't find the thread, but many have tried and failed on diversions).

WineCountryUA

UA's treatment for earnings has always been based on schedule travel and a diversion does not change that. That has been the policy for UA pre-merge and continued post merger. I believe this standard among most carriers. Sometimes when the diversion involves a "rescue" flight, you might get different credit.

lhen01

Unplanned diversions are one thing, but a planned stop seems a bit different IMO.