Duct Tape?
Nov 7, 2002, 9:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,985
Duct Tape?
Am I the only one noticing alot of duct tape being used to fix things in the cabins these days. I noticed beige duct tape covering several cracks in the plastic side-wall on a recent flight from EWR-ORD (733.) I've also seen duct tape emplyed to hold tops to the seat arms. I know their trying to cut costs but this is starting to remind me of Eastern towards the end!
Nov 7, 2002, 9:47 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Madison NJ; Watopia
Posts: 3,161
Duct tape is a wonderful thing. If they were really trying to cut costs, however, they would use scotch tape 
Nov 7, 2002, 9:49 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
No, if they were really trying to save money they would use chewed gum
Nov 7, 2002, 10:00 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: IND- Views expressed by me in this forum are solely my opinion and do not reflect the opinion or policies of UA.
Posts: 697
On one particular flight, it was discovered that the exit row lighting was inop in one row. The psgrs were already boarded and the 3 seated in that row offered to hold flashlights handy and wear reflectors to avoid a delay. (I believe they were at least 50% serious, too.)Total delay time for that flight: 5.5 hrs to restore the exit row emergency lighting.
If duct tape can avoid a lengthy delay when something is discovered just prior to dept., I agree with it's use. However, following through on repairs afterward to avoid the tacky display of duct tape would be a wise decision.
If duct tape can avoid a lengthy delay when something is discovered just prior to dept., I agree with it's use. However, following through on repairs afterward to avoid the tacky display of duct tape would be a wise decision.
Nov 7, 2002, 10:15 am
#5
Join Date: May 2001
Location: The banks of the river, Styx
Posts: 1,692
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Baze:
No, if they were really trying to save money they would use chewed gum</font>
No, if they were really trying to save money they would use chewed gum
</font>
Nov 7, 2002, 11:32 am
#6
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I hope they don't use duct tape to fix the landing gear 
------------------
"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack
Nov 7, 2002, 2:14 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Don't quote me on this, but I believe UA policy allows duct tape to be used as a temporary fix for upto 36 hours on a MEL item and indefinitely on a non-MEL item. (MEL = Minimum Equipment List)
Nov 7, 2002, 2:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 941
That's what happen when MacGyver goes on holiday
Nov 7, 2002, 2:38 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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I thought duct tape wasn't allowed, "due to security concerns"
Nov 7, 2002, 2:41 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,045
Please note that this is not just ordinary duct tape! It is FAA-approved and FAR-regulated duct tape. Count on it to be several magnitudes higher in price than the same stuff from the hardware store...
Nov 7, 2002, 5:35 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: SNA, LAX
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Please note that this is not just ordinary duct tape! It is FAA-approved and FAR-regulated duct tape. Count on it to be several magnitudes higher in price than the same stuff from the hardware store...</font>
Nov 7, 2002, 7:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Denver
Posts: 163
I've also seen it used on the outside of some planes. I airline circles often called "600 mile an hour tape"
Nov 7, 2002, 7:27 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: IND- Views expressed by me in this forum are solely my opinion and do not reflect the opinion or policies of UA.
Posts: 697
I believe the technical term is "speed tape". No exxaggeration.
(And- it is better than regular duct tape.)
(And- it is better than regular duct tape.)
Nov 7, 2002, 7:37 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
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Posts: 4,248
Here's a link for speed tape, but this stuff's only rated 200 MPH 
Nov 7, 2002, 8:02 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Denver
Posts: 163
See....United's "600 mile an hour tape" is much better than plain 'ole "200 mph speed tape. Thank you for the post on Duct Tape, it's good to add some levity to this board sometimes, when alot of the threads are just "doom and gloom" for UAL.;-)