Holy Smokes: UAL hits turbulence
07-22-2010, 02:36 AM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: Seat 1 A
Posts: 196
The severe turbulence happened over Western Missouri, why did they continue on to Denver to make an Emergency landing? (other than Denver being a United hub, isn't that bringing money into the equation) Topeka, Wichita, St Louis were all a lot closer. Weather could have eliminated one or two options but Denver is clear across Kansas and part of Colorado.
07-22-2010, 04:59 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: B777 Capt
Posts: 844
The severe turbulence happened over Western Missouri, why did they continue on to Denver to make an Emergency landing? (other than Denver being a United hub, isn't that bringing money into the equation) Topeka, Wichita, St Louis were all a lot closer. Weather could have eliminated one or two options but Denver is clear across Kansas and part of Colorado.
The seatbelt sign was on and the fa's were seated due to turbulence when they encountered the severe.
L
07-22-2010, 06:56 AM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 575
I'm just joking, but there's probably some 777 DIA commuters that would be glad to spend the night at home.
07-22-2010, 10:13 AM
#25
Commercial Pilot
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Posts: 34
The fasten seatbelt light was on at the time that turbulence occurred. Makes me wonder why people don't fasten up. I'm willing to bet that those same people who got hurt won't wear their seatbelt next time they get on a plane. Some people never learn.
07-22-2010, 10:18 AM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Not on this message board.
Posts: 159
The severe turbulence happened over Western Missouri, why did they continue on to Denver to make an Emergency landing? (other than Denver being a United hub, isn't that bringing money into the equation) Topeka, Wichita, St Louis were all a lot closer. Weather could have eliminated one or two options but Denver is clear across Kansas and part of Colorado.
also look at it from a utilitarian perspective-- there were a LOT more uninjured people than injured, the injuries were not severe or life-threatening, so no need to land at the nearest suitable airport... if they land in Topeka, people are stuck! Crew probably knew mtc would want to do a stress test on the aircraft (walk the wings, etc), so the plane would be grounded, and there are few United flights to get the pax on.
On to Denver, they have mtc there, and there are numerous options for pax uninjured to continue on.
I think the crew made the absolute right choice (and the track showed them no where near the red, so they obviously chose the right routing past the wx). I say they did the best with what they had.
-spike
07-22-2010, 12:28 PM
#27
A Second Past V1
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Assumed
Posts: 743
Smartest move was to get on the other side of that front IMO.
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