Originally Posted by
Apollo
A quick outline of a recent A/E flight from DFW to SJT. Only the objective facts will be given. Looking forward to responses.
A strong front had just passed through and winds were gusting to 30kts. With the wind helping us down the taxiway, the Capt easily let the ATR get to 40. Landing at SJT (remember the wind is out of the NW and gusty) the crew elected to use the shorter rwy 03 instead of the main rwy 36. We came over the fence very fast and landed with a substantial side load. The aircraft was well off the centerline, the tires where screaming and the stench of burnt rubber was in the cabin. Even the flight attendant was nervously shaking it off.
I waited for the crew to have a chat. I asked why they decided to land with a slight tailwind. The FO said it wasn't a tailwind. The crew clearly didn't want to discuss it but said the wind was 320/20. I asked why rwy 36 wasn't used. The Capt said there wasn't a rwy 36. I said it's the main rwy at SJT. He then said that rwy 36 was closed. I called the tower; they said the rwy was just fine. They hurried off to the waiting van.
No offense to you at all here, but as a pilot would you really want someone coming up to you and asking you about why you chose to do what you did after the landing wasn't great? I can completely understand why they hurried off and got away from you. Maybe they wanted the crosswind practice on the shorter runway. I think your questioning the pilots after the flight was a bit inappropriate... just my two cents.