Alaska divert SJO
04-15-2017 | 03:29 PM
#1
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From: MD11 FO
Alaska divert SJO
flying on leisure scheduled SJO-LAX. Right before departure they announced we have to make unannounced stop at LIR (20 mins away) because winds favor rwy 07 - guessing second segment climb causing probs from terrain. Surprising thing is headwinds are normal as said by CA - Alaska plans on rwy25 and whenever winds favor 07 they are screwed - adding 1.5 to flight time since its Costa Rica and nothing is easy. Didn't think any majors ran this way since JB used to have issues years ago. As bad as AA and UAL are I've never had an U expected Divert for fuel planning. Ouch. Typical?
04-15-2017 | 04:09 PM
#2
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From: Captain
Alaska divert SJO
I wouldn't say it's typical but it definitely does happen. If the flights full and runway 07 is required then it happens. Most of the time 25 will work even with a strong tailwind but not always. I've had to do it twice since we started and have been down there at least 20 times.
Last edited by CassinAK; 04-15-2017 at 04:41 PM.
04-15-2017 | 04:34 PM
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Rwy 07 is severely weight restricted. You get much better numbers off of 25 all the way up to max tailwind. Same issue for everyone. It's a longer flight to LAX than DFW or IAH. UAL would have the same issues on the EWR flights. Not a problem specific to Alaska.
04-16-2017 | 07:53 PM
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Do the other airlines put an underpowered 737 on that leg? I'm just surprised they set themselves up this way - that if the other runway is used then short of kicking off about 40 pax you'll have to do a stop and add an hour (and thereby pretty much guarantee everyone one connection misses their late night last flight connections). Seems like you're just setting yourself up for failure.
04-17-2017 | 12:41 PM
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From: Blue fifi flogger
Do the other airlines put an underpowered 737 on that leg? I'm just surprised they set themselves up this way - that if the other runway is used then short of kicking off about 40 pax you'll have to do a stop and add an hour (and thereby pretty much guarantee everyone one connection misses their late night last flight connections). Seems like you're just setting yourself up for failure.
04-17-2017 | 02:55 PM
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From: Captain
Since you mentioned JetBlue, I'll stick up for Alaska and us for a moment; A320s aren't exactly overpowered either but it's what we got so we use them. Same for AK, their options are 737 or 737. Were you on a -900? If so you've maybe got a beef; if they sent a -800 or -700 then it just wasn't your day.
We only use the -800 on this route. The 900 won't work.
04-19-2017 | 09:08 AM
#10
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From: Ca B737
Do the other airlines put an underpowered 737 on that leg? I'm just surprised they set themselves up this way - that if the other runway is used then short of kicking off about 40 pax you'll have to do a stop and add an hour (and thereby pretty much guarantee everyone one connection misses their late night last flight connections). Seems like you're just setting yourself up for failure.
We fly the 737-800 off short runways on long legs very nicely, thank you. PHLI and PHOG come to mind. Both airports normally require flaps 25 with the short field option installed to make it happen. Surprise, it works! We make money. (hopefully they will start sharing it with us, bur that's a different subject)
Sure, I wish we could all fly 757s or 747s for that matter. I love flying in a wide body, but that's not the world we live in is it?
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