Originally Posted by
saxman66
I'll certainly admit that I don't think I would have thought to ask dispatch for an alternate just for VCTS. I've seen that a few times, and it ended up being okay. What's been the learning part has been that I check the radar, check the TAF, and all is clear. Then an hour later, there's huge popups along our route and we've been dispatched without any contingency fuel. Great! I think I will be checking the prog charts more often now, but on a 5 leg day with quick turns, it's hard to have. Then I get blamed for leaving two minutes late when I asked for just a little more fuel. (not that I care)
This^^^
All great points. Keep in mind, the TAF prior to departure wasn't even calling for VCTS until after 2000z (1500L, nearly 3.5 hours after ETA) with a 30% probability of 3SM -TSRA @ 2100Z.
KXNA 121120Z 1212/1312 00000KT P6SM SKC
FM121600 18006KT P6SM SCT040
FM122000 18003KT P6SM VCTS BKN040CB BKN250 PROB30 1221/1303 3SM -TSRA BR
BKN030CB
FM130300 00000KT P6SM BKN250
Obviously the CA/FO saw something other than the TAF to force dispatch to include an alternate. Some new CA's might have not even considered it based on the above TAF.
I am more of a data guy and in no way will Monday morning QB (Pro or Con) the decision(s) of the crew as I was not there and do not have all the facts.
But as someone said upthread, bottom line, everyone got on the ground safe.
Be careful out there folks. It's T-Storm season! They pop up fast.