I agree with this. Every situation is different.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If I lost the blue hydraulic pump I would continue if the FO was in agreement.

If I lost blue hydraulic fluid I would return.

Also I always thought it was a rule that if you are diverting to a field not on your release that an emergency must be declared or you were breaking a reg.

I don't think so. I've diverted many a time to airports that weren't listed alternate

never breaks a reg. Just amend release but if losing hydraulics I’m declaring an emergency

the red “LAND ASAP” will also help you out. If it’s displayed.

Likewise. The ALT is just for dispatch legality... you're not obligated to go there if there's a better option. "Better" could be safer, or just more convenient as long as it's still safe.

Often the company doesn't actually want you to go to the filed ALT... they often select the filed ALT to minimize the extra fuel you have to carry to fly to the ALT, not because it's a convenient ALT.

You don't have to amend the release... the release ALT has to be legal to

1) Depart and;
2) Continue to the DEST

If you bug out somewhere else the ALT requirement for the original DEST is null and void. You might possibly under some circumstances need a new ALT for the DIVERT field (declaring an emergency would avoid that).

^his airline

Not every airline.

I believe he’s responding to someone saying it would violate a reg, which isn’t company dependent (unless you make argument that the FOM is an extension of the FARs). Also, just more out of curiosity, which airlines restrict you to go to the dispatch alternate? I’ve never heard of that. But I’ve only worked at 2 airlines.

This was gone into ad nauseam a few pages back but my airline, for example, requires an amendment when diverting to an airport non listed on the release. That sparked a bunch of "in the heat of the moment you dont..."

Just adding the point that his assertion of not having to amend the release does not apply to every airline.

I also disagree with his position that "often the company doesnt want you to go to the filed alternate," which sounds more like company specific practice for his airline. 99% of the time, the alternate listed on my release makes sense and would be the practical alternate based on the reason for the alternate requirement

Yes, I'm talking about the FARs. Individual airlines might be different, although taking divert/ALT flexibility away from pilots erodes safety margins IMO. Kind of like carpet dances for go-arounds.