Originally Posted by
TiredSoul
Had a Capt stop boarding and delayed the flight by a good hour after they discovered an issue with the tire.
I've had a tire changed on a flight I was working as FO on a 121(s) so I'm 99% sure it's legal.
But what is United company policy?
Plane came in 20min and I'm pretty sure contract MX guys do an inspection.
It is legal. There is no specific company policy.
It comes down to a judgement call by either the captain, max or passenger service.
You said "stopped boarding", which is a different call than disembarking.
Some stations do not have jack that can handle a full aircraft.
Since the govt began fining airlines for ground delays, airlines have become more cautious if there is a chance of long delay. For example, that tire/wheel may not be readily available and mx doesn't have an immediate answer as to how long to locate one (borrow) from another airline....etc.
And yes it is okay to ask, and probably better to do it here rather than confronting the captain in the middle of a mx delay situation when the stress level is elevated.
No, pilots do not do post flight walk around, only preflight. Mx does at some stations, not all.
Some time a jack is being used elsewhere, delay anticipated.
It's just not like a NASCAR pit stop, as much as we would wish.
I've had 20 minute changes and 1 hour changes.