dualinput

If HDN is on the release on the wx is good in HDN there is no reason not to use it. I might say hey we can hold longer if we use xyz what do you think. If dispatch comes back and says let’s use HDN then I’m going to HDN prior to bingo as it’s already on the release and the company wants to use it and it’s not an emergency.

Btw there would’ve been most definitely rooms in steamboat or Craig. Both 20min from HDN as HDN is the steamboat springs airport.

Guppydriver95

if my reply came across as a “flex” as you describe, it wasn’t my intent. I’m wondering if, practically speaking, if you already know the weather is good, that the quick note to dispatch suffices for your company’s requirement to get an amendment. Dispatch gets note, confirms what the crew already knew re weather, amends the release, all while the crew is on their way to the alternate. Sounds reasonable.

CincoDeMayo

Sorry, it wasn't meant to be directed at you that way. Someone else made a comment which is unrelated to needing an amendment as part of the FOM and conflated it to a pilots authority thing, which is unrelated.

We always receive the initials and time for an amendment. Would what you suggest suffice, not sure.

We did have a guy some years back who did have to do a carpet dance because they had a blue hydraulic failure on the climb out of ORD and he returned back to ORD without consulting anyone. So I guess the company was upset because the blue hyd probably isnt something someone would say is an air return item, so they got him on the "no amendment" stuff.

However, I had a time on climb out where we retracted the flaps to 0, yet the speed tape was still Vfe as if flaps were out. No matter what we did or tried, the speed tape would not adjust. We sent a few quick messages to dispatch saying we were coming back to the airport, while taking vectors, dispatch never got back to us with the amendment, but we of course still landed. As I said, it isnt permission, its just laid out in our FOM. But no way was I going to fly with a busted speed tape while waiting for an amendment.

Halon1211

I’m just here for the comments.

Gone Flying

I thought the report said the CA had 15 years flying commercial (either for OO or total airline time?) I would not exactly call that “the next generation of pilots” conversely I flew with many CAs in their 20s and early 30s who would have flat out refused this. This is not an old vs new thing. This is either an attention thing or a “whatever it takes” mentality thing

Lahey

could it be a good learning opportunity thing? I’d like to think so.

Gone Flying

could be, I think there are plenty of possibilities. Having worked for OO, something sounds off about this whole deal, but I’m not sure, I was not there. whatever the case I don’t think it was an old vs young/new thing.

rickair7777

MOD INPUT: DO NOT ridicule anyone for their sexual identity here on APC.

You don't have to like or embrace alternate lifestyles, but you can't hate on it here.

Infractions next time.

rickair7777

What airplane? Blue hyd loss would certainly be an air return on an airbus.

rickair7777

What are you supposed to do, try to talk to DX until your run out of gas and declare a fuel emergency?

When I flew for OO there was no such limit on diversions, although you were of course expected to inform and consult with DX, time permitting.

The issue isn't really one of landing safety, it's more about convenience for the company, ie whether you can turn the plane or handle pax and bags... or if it's going to be a bus, MX involved in fueling, etc, etc.

Authorized alternates in the FOM will typically have 121-suitable CFR and fueling facilities, so that should be your go-to.

One time we diverted, told DX, got no response.

25 minutes later, inside the marker, they came back with a request that we divert to another airport 150 miles away.

FO: "What do you want to do?"
CA: "Gear Down"