Mesaba blamed for XJT stranding in RST
08-21-2009 | 03:26 PM
#61
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 0
From: Reclined
DOT Press release
DOT 127-09
Friday, August 21, 2009
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
STATEMENT BY U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY RAY LAHOOD ON CONCLUSION OF THE PRELIMINARY PHASE OF THE CONTINENTAL TARMAC DELAY INVESTIGATION
“We have determined that the Express Jet crew was not at fault. In fact, the flight crew repeatedly tried to get permission to deplane the passengers at the airport or obtain a bus for them,” Secretary LaHood said.
“The local representative of Mesaba Airlines improperly refused the requests of the captain to let her passengers off the plane. The representative incorrectly said that the airport was closed to passengers for security reasons, which led to this nightmare for those stuck on the plane,” he said.
DOT 127-09
Friday, August 21, 2009
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
STATEMENT BY U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY RAY LAHOOD ON CONCLUSION OF THE PRELIMINARY PHASE OF THE CONTINENTAL TARMAC DELAY INVESTIGATION
“We have determined that the Express Jet crew was not at fault. In fact, the flight crew repeatedly tried to get permission to deplane the passengers at the airport or obtain a bus for them,” Secretary LaHood said.
“The local representative of Mesaba Airlines improperly refused the requests of the captain to let her passengers off the plane. The representative incorrectly said that the airport was closed to passengers for security reasons, which led to this nightmare for those stuck on the plane,” he said.
08-21-2009 | 03:30 PM
#62
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 0
From: Reclined
This is a no brainer. The captain messed up and she will not admit it. She will blame everyone else before herself. This turned into an emergency situation the second they ran out of food and water and the TOXIC toilet started running over. You call the fire department and have them help your passengers out of the plane. This is NOT good news for XJT. This just confirms the fact that the captain is scared of ruffling a few feathers.
What's up with XJT sending these poor passengers to MSP on the exact same airplane? If they were that concerned they would have sent a new plane up there that was in acceptable condition. I don't think XJT did the right thing. I think they underestimated the whole situation and didn't think it a big deal until the media got a hold of it.
It all comes down to captain's ultimate PIC authority. That is it. PERIOD. The end.
What's up with XJT sending these poor passengers to MSP on the exact same airplane? If they were that concerned they would have sent a new plane up there that was in acceptable condition. I don't think XJT did the right thing. I think they underestimated the whole situation and didn't think it a big deal until the media got a hold of it.
It all comes down to captain's ultimate PIC authority. That is it. PERIOD. The end.
DING DING DING DING DING.... Winner !!!
08-21-2009 | 03:38 PM
#63
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 0
From: Reclined
08-21-2009 | 03:44 PM
#64
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 0
From: Reclined
I sincerely hope in light of this that all those on APC that were lambasting and bashing the crew and the Female Capt. specifically, are embarrased for all their idiocy. Once again we learn the hard way, dont ever monday morning quaterback any flight crew when you dont really know what happened, but are relying on a newspaper article.....sad
here is a link to audio released of the Captain talking with dispatch
Pilot of stranded plane pleads with dispatch | StarTribune.com
And even worse after Delta said they tried to help listen to this...seems Delta wasnt forthcoming with the media the day this story broke....WOW
Regional dispatcher pleads with Delta Connection rep | StarTribune.com
here is a link to audio released of the Captain talking with dispatch
Pilot of stranded plane pleads with dispatch | StarTribune.com
And even worse after Delta said they tried to help listen to this...seems Delta wasnt forthcoming with the media the day this story broke....WOW
Regional dispatcher pleads with Delta Connection rep | StarTribune.com
What do any of those sound files have to do with the Captains failure to exercise command authority? although they were interesting.....
08-21-2009 | 03:46 PM
#65
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Whoring for flight time
signature flight support(24/7 ops) has a station in krst. i wonder why that wasn't used as THE option of choice after 1 hour of playing the waiting game(ops script, stress, fatigue, intimidated, or just plain and simply being lead on)
08-21-2009 | 05:00 PM
#68
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
I am sorry this happened.
However, I doubt any of our people were trained to service the aircraft. I also suspect that our ground OPs book doesn't allow for this kind of action. Would XJT been understanding if aircraft damage occurred? Does Mesaba have the authority to offload people in the terminal when its closed and who is responsible for the people once there off the plane? Plus knowing our staffing models I am sure there probably only 1 or 2 people there anyway.
Another question is: Does discomfort equal an emergency? If it does everytime I stuff myself into a CRJ200 seat is an emergency.
If a pax was having a heart attack, I have no question our people would have abandoned working our aircraft (rightly so) to help if needed.
Once when we diverted in the SAAB, our dispatchers called our people in from home to work the plane. We did NOT offload the PAX until the ground people were ready. We had some one removed via ambulance but everyone else stayed on.
A bigger question is this: XJT or someone operating Cont 145's operates out of RST. Why didn't they call someone at home or have someone drive to RST from MSP? The plane was certainly there long enough for either option. Doing either option would have relieved the pax sooner than they were. The drive from MSP is less than 1 hour.
Again I am sorry this happened and I would have drained my cell phone and I would have ran an engine for power and air if I had to. I would have jumped down and pursued help anyway I could. But XJT could have done more sooner.
Flame Away
However, I doubt any of our people were trained to service the aircraft. I also suspect that our ground OPs book doesn't allow for this kind of action. Would XJT been understanding if aircraft damage occurred? Does Mesaba have the authority to offload people in the terminal when its closed and who is responsible for the people once there off the plane? Plus knowing our staffing models I am sure there probably only 1 or 2 people there anyway.
Another question is: Does discomfort equal an emergency? If it does everytime I stuff myself into a CRJ200 seat is an emergency.
If a pax was having a heart attack, I have no question our people would have abandoned working our aircraft (rightly so) to help if needed.
Once when we diverted in the SAAB, our dispatchers called our people in from home to work the plane. We did NOT offload the PAX until the ground people were ready. We had some one removed via ambulance but everyone else stayed on.
A bigger question is this: XJT or someone operating Cont 145's operates out of RST. Why didn't they call someone at home or have someone drive to RST from MSP? The plane was certainly there long enough for either option. Doing either option would have relieved the pax sooner than they were. The drive from MSP is less than 1 hour.
Again I am sorry this happened and I would have drained my cell phone and I would have ran an engine for power and air if I had to. I would have jumped down and pursued help anyway I could. But XJT could have done more sooner.
Flame Away
08-21-2009 | 05:29 PM
#69
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Whoring for flight time
I am sorry this happened.
However, I doubt any of our people were trained to service the aircraft. I also suspect that our ground OPs book doesn't allow for this kind of action. Would XJT been understanding if aircraft damage occurred? Does Mesaba have the authority to offload people in the terminal when its closed and who is responsible for the people once there off the plane? Plus knowing our staffing models I am sure there probably only 1 or 2 people there anyway.
Another question is: Does discomfort equal an emergency? If it does everytime I stuff myself into a CRJ200 seat is an emergency.
If a pax was having a heart attack, I have no question our people would have abandoned working our aircraft (rightly so) to help if needed.
Once when we diverted in the SAAB, our dispatchers called our people in from home to work the plane. We did NOT offload the PAX until the ground people were ready. We had some one removed via ambulance but everyone else stayed on.
A bigger question is this: XJT or someone operating Cont 145's operates out of RST. Why didn't they call someone at home or have someone drive to RST from MSP? The plane was certainly there long enough for either option. Doing either option would have relieved the pax sooner than they were. The drive from MSP is less than 1 hour.
Again I am sorry this happened and I would have drained my cell phone and I would have ran an engine for power and air if I had to. I would have jumped down and pursued help anyway I could. But XJT could have done more sooner.
Flame Away
However, I doubt any of our people were trained to service the aircraft. I also suspect that our ground OPs book doesn't allow for this kind of action. Would XJT been understanding if aircraft damage occurred? Does Mesaba have the authority to offload people in the terminal when its closed and who is responsible for the people once there off the plane? Plus knowing our staffing models I am sure there probably only 1 or 2 people there anyway.
Another question is: Does discomfort equal an emergency? If it does everytime I stuff myself into a CRJ200 seat is an emergency.
If a pax was having a heart attack, I have no question our people would have abandoned working our aircraft (rightly so) to help if needed.
Once when we diverted in the SAAB, our dispatchers called our people in from home to work the plane. We did NOT offload the PAX until the ground people were ready. We had some one removed via ambulance but everyone else stayed on.
A bigger question is this: XJT or someone operating Cont 145's operates out of RST. Why didn't they call someone at home or have someone drive to RST from MSP? The plane was certainly there long enough for either option. Doing either option would have relieved the pax sooner than they were. The drive from MSP is less than 1 hour.
Again I am sorry this happened and I would have drained my cell phone and I would have ran an engine for power and air if I had to. I would have jumped down and pursued help anyway I could. But XJT could have done more sooner.
Flame Away
the thing with someone from msp driving to rst is if they don't have the SIDA badge, they're just as worthless as anyone else. but you raise some good questions. my question is why did xjet use rst as an alternate if they didn't have ground support there?
