Diverts and diversions....

[rstark]

Diverts and diversions....  Does it take a "pretty bad" problem to make a pilot turn the plane around and go back to the airport they departed from? How "bad" is it? An "air return" can result from a myriad of issues such as: -pressurization problems -funny smells -medical issues with passengers With the exception of medical emergencies, Pilots complete an "event" checklist, and once the checklist is completed, it will point the Crew in the direction they need to consider going. If the departure airport is closer than an enroute alternate, going back makes the most sense, especially if the airline maintenance (MX) folks are there. Nothing like taking a MX problem home to your own Mechanics. They have the know how and tools to fix the problem. My first thought in these situations is not "Wow! Are we gonna make it back?" but rather, "Bummer. A hassle for the passengers with plans or connections at our destination." Last October I was deadheading (riding in the passenger cabin) to Dallas for training. I was just slipping into a dream nearing cruising altitude when I heard the engines throttle back and we started descending. "This can't be good..." I thought. Seems a hydraulic system had lost pressure. We went back to Phoenix; they tightened a fitting that had loosened; reserviced the hydraulic reservoir; tested it; and we were on the way 30 minutes after we landed. End of story. Other than being about an hour late, we all landed at our destination fine and dandy. A few people wanted to get off the plane due to "omen bugaboos," but those who stayed on figured, "If the Pilots are staying on, so are we." Relax. A divert or turnback is a hassle but not anything to worry about. 

[Tommy_Blog2]

Thanks for the re-assurance about diverts and diversions. I am a very frequent flyer and love to fly and there have only been a few times we have had to divert back to the departure airport. A few years ago during thanksgiving, I was returning from Oahu on a late afternoon flight to LAX. Upon leaving HNL I felt our 767-300 losing altitude about 10 minutes into the flight and knew something was up. about 5 minutes later, the cap'n came on and told us our back up hydraulic system was not operating and that we needed to return to HNL - the cap'n didn't want to take any chances heading out over the ocean with only one hydraulic system. The bummer was we needed to circle Oahu for about 45 minutes to burn enough fuel to land safely - We landed safely but there were some passengers that thought for sure we were going into the pacific for a swim! It's safer than driving!

[Scott5]

Sadly, on July 31st, another reason for diversion made its presence known on board Flight 396 when two passengers couldn't control their temper on board. Those two people inconvienced not only the flight they were on, but potentially four others in Baltimore that their flight connected with. Can we get along for two hours (on average)? When you are on board an aircraft your business becomes our business if it effects us, think about it next time. Hopefully media coverage of the incident will get people to think about their actions on board in the future.

[Leah3]

Scott, I read an article in the newspaper about a SW plane that had to make an unscheduled landing in TUL (my hometown) because a passenger (Customer) stabbed another passenger with a ballpoint pen! This was on Flight 396 from LAS to LIT. According to the newspaper, the FBI said that the victim was treated by emergency medical personnel & released. It also says that it appears the assault was unprovoked, & that authorities "met the flight, and once the men were questioned by authorities, the flight continued on to Little Rock." This made me start thinking of questions that I might be asked at my second interview, such as, "What would you do if-insert incident-happens?" & how I will answer. I may have been asked questions like that 7 years ago but don't remember. I certainly realize I'll be dealing with Customers who are great & sometimes ones who aren't on their best behavior, but this is not stopping me from wanting to be a flight attendant! In fact, one reason why I want to work for Southwest is that the airline has an excellent safety record! I remember when I was coming home from Peru 7 years ago, & my plane had landed in Miami, where I had to go through customs. After reboarding the plane, we were taxiing out to the runway when the pilot came on & said something was wrong with the plane; I don't remember what it was, but it was serious enough to go back to the gate & have it fixed. I don't remember exactly how long it took, though it was a while, but then we were finally on our way to DAL to change planes! I actually missed my connection in DAL, partly because of that incident, but there was also a storm not long after we landed in Miami; the lightning hit the radar, I believe, & the airport had to be shut down for a while. I caught the last flight out of DAL that night!

[Barbara_Matthew]

After reading about the possibility of assigned seating on SWA, I began to think about how it might affect traveling. If it can be achieved without losing turnaround time and with keeping airfares the best in the business, it would be a good thing; however, if either of the above items were affected, it would not be in the traveler's best interests. I have traveled SWA more than any other airline and enjoy the ontime advantage and, of course, the great fares.

[Greg6]

I have a question on the newst city DC Dulles! It might sound stupid but I really don't understand southwests plans for there new city!? Are we their planning long term to stay at dulles and go cross country routes like DC -to CA denver ect. or are we just testing the waters at dulles and not adding many flights in case it fails like independance air went belly up last year. or are the citys that were announced is all the plans that is it for dulles and they might not want to pour a lot of $$ in to this Dulles airport city?.