PHL-SFO nonstop made stop in Kansas City for refueling, then let an employee off
Jan 5, 2015, 4:01 pm
#31
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So, I guess the question is: should an airline be responsible for providing more than enough fuel to arrive at a destination safely in any weather condition?
And if the equipment cannot carry adequate fuel, should the airline be required to employ equipment that can routinely make it to the destination safely without making fuel stops?
I personally would prefer the answers to be "YES" to both questions, and would appreciate some small allowance due to inconvenience if the airline falls short. But alas, profit trumps all, and airline consolidation makes it difficult to have real choices, so we have to put up it. Luckily it doesn't happen too often.
Another proposed solution would be to retrofit all US metal with in-flight refueling capability...
And if the equipment cannot carry adequate fuel, should the airline be required to employ equipment that can routinely make it to the destination safely without making fuel stops?
I personally would prefer the answers to be "YES" to both questions, and would appreciate some small allowance due to inconvenience if the airline falls short. But alas, profit trumps all, and airline consolidation makes it difficult to have real choices, so we have to put up it. Luckily it doesn't happen too often.
Another proposed solution would be to retrofit all US metal with in-flight refueling capability...
Jan 5, 2015, 8:20 pm
#32
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Worth pointing out that if you were going the other direction, you'd be pleasantly surprised to arrive early at PHL, and not complaining at all
Jan 6, 2015, 1:09 pm
#33
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http://flights.usairways.com/FlightS...ate=2015-01-05
Jan 9, 2015, 9:13 pm
#34
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Then we see some record flight times Eastbound.
Then we see some record flight times Eastbound.
Jan 16, 2015, 1:05 pm
#35
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So OP would have preferred to land at SFO with only 9 minutes of fuel left in the tanks? 
Write a note to US Airways and tell them to stop being such wusses about safety.
Write a note to US Airways and tell them to stop being such wusses about safety.
Jan 16, 2015, 6:12 pm
#36
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Then we see some record flight times Eastbound.
Then we see some record flight times Eastbound.
Jan 18, 2015, 6:01 am
#37
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So why use MCI ? Wouldn't the object be to fly the extra fuel for the least amount of time, while avoiding airports with the highest landing fees & congestion? Seems like you'd want to fly as far west as you could, say SLC or RNO....
For lighter traffic airports, I think I'd offer a different landing fee schedule for "refuel only" stops....could be a little extra revenue for them.
For lighter traffic airports, I think I'd offer a different landing fee schedule for "refuel only" stops....could be a little extra revenue for them.
Jan 18, 2015, 9:23 am
#38
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Jan 18, 2015, 9:47 am
#39
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Ideally, you'd look look to stop at an airport roughly in the middle of the great circle between PHL and SFO. Of course there are other factors like local weather, landing fees, local fuel costs, ground crew availability, etc. These factors will tend to skew the route and fuel stop planning so they are likely what made MCI a good choice.
Jan 18, 2015, 5:00 pm
#40
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So why use MCI ? Wouldn't the object be to fly the extra fuel for the least amount of time, while avoiding airports with the highest landing fees & congestion? Seems like you'd want to fly as far west as you could, say SLC or RNO....
For lighter traffic airports, I think I'd offer a different landing fee schedule for "refuel only" stops....could be a little extra revenue for them.
For lighter traffic airports, I think I'd offer a different landing fee schedule for "refuel only" stops....could be a little extra revenue for them.
Jan 20, 2015, 3:59 pm
#41
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Weird - I stopped in ABQ last summer on an IAD-SFO flight that was routed very far south (over the Gulf of Mexico) due to a line of thunderstorms in the midwest. I really don't remember pulling up to the gate or being allowed to be let off, but maybe my memory is escaping me. Anyone else remember a refueling stop where this didn't happen?