The way that article reads it looks like a dispatcher is going to take the fall.

 

vhttp://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20150730_Allegiant_executives_were_flying_plane_th at_ran_low_on_fuel.html?id=320114301

 

Looks like it was your bosses.....


Allegiant executives were flying plane that ran low on fuel

Two executives with pilot licenses were flying the Allegiant Air jet that made an emergency landing at a closed airport because it nearly ran out of fuel.
Allegiant spokeswoman Jessica Wheeler said Thursday that management pilots routinely operate flights to maintain their pilot certification and track day-to-day operations.

Vice president of flight operations Greg Baden and director of flight safety Michael Wuerger were at the controls of the July 23 flight with 144 passengers on board, the airline said. The identity of the pilots was first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The plane left Las Vegas more than an hour behind schedule, according to tracking service FlightAware.com. By the time it reached its intended destination of Fargo, North Dakota, that airport was temporarily closed so the Navy's Blue Angels flight team could practice for an air show.

According to a LiveATC.net recording, one of the pilots told an air traffic controller that he didn't have enough fuel to reach another airport and couldn't even wait 20 minutes — he would declare an emergency and land. Federal rules require airliners to carry enough fuel to reach their destination or an alternate airport with a reserve of 45 minutes worth of fuel. The plane landed safely in Fargo.

Wheeler said the pilot meant he had less than 20 minutes before dipping into the 45-minute reserve. She added that Allegiant believed that the Fargo closure included an exception for scheduled passenger flights. She said the company believes the executive did nothing wrong in their operation of the flight.

The Las Vegas-based airline, a unit of Allegiant Travel Co., said it is cooperating with investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration.

 

Wouldn't surprise me, but it's not right.

 

Does Allegiant fly under 121 rules or 121 Supplemental?

 

Both, majority is non supplemental. This was most likely schedule. Either way the vp of Ooops, my bad. I mean vp of Ops is the one who should take the fall. And his director of safety fo. This would be just considering these are the primary players who had a direct hand in terminating our pie captain last week. A captain who acted in the best interest of his pax and crew. Imho these two probably, willfully continued to destination and strong armed atc to open up. In order to avoid an embarrassing diversion. Or were simply careless and reckless in disregard of notams. They personify what they represent to the pilot group. Blatant disregard for any decent level of honor and fairness towards the pilot group.

 

This is entertaining. Declares emergency because he states he does not have enough fuel to make the alternate. Jessica says the Captain meant he did have enough fuel for the alternate, and was getting close to reserve fuel.

If the field is closed, and you have enough fuel to reach alternate (according to Wheeler), why not proceed to alternate?

Even if they "think" the NOTAM did not apply to their flight, and ATC is telling you go elsewhere, then it makes no sense to declare an emergency if fuel was not a factor.

If they blame dispatch, wouldn't that be admitting the NOTAM was clear about the airport being temporarily closed that day?

Sorry you guys flying at Allegiant have this kind of leadership.

 

"Mr. Harfst didn’t dispute the union’s tally of recent incidents but added that this year’s number of disruptions is similar to past years."

Holy crap!! And to think GREG actually told the PIE Captain that he fired that he "brought embarrassment to the company because of the media attention"!!

Isn't Harfst kinda saying, "sure we suck, but no more than previous years"?!?!

Why do they keep letting these guys make these idiotic statements?

 

I wonder if AA will fire their Captain and ruin his career:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/three-injured-american-airlines-plane-evacuated-texas-192410025--finance.html

 

Allegiant under "several regulatory investigations," says FAA | SkyWriter Aviation