Originally Posted by IAHB756 (Post 2751158)

I edited my post above but to answer your question, I don’t know. I’m totally armchair quarterbacking here and I don’t like to do that. This gave us a pretty bad black eye and I’d like to know more about it as I’m sure you do as well.

Originally Posted by JoePatroni (Post 2751155)

If the door had not broken, would it have been a "bad call?"

Originally Posted by BMEP100 (Post 2751277)

Yes,...but that does not necessarily assign blame to whoever made the call. There are a lot of cogs in the machine that don’t know much about the various eneoute alternates, because not much is published in our manuals.

I would otherwise answer your question with another. Just because any wrong judgment action turns out okay, does that then make it a “good call”?

Landing anywhere that is 30 below carries additional and unusual risks we are generally not equipped to deal with. When the runway is located in a remote town of 8000, it just adds to the risk.

If that cold soaked apu had not started (it happens), an emergency deplaning for 250 people would have eventually occurred, with many being forced into frostbite weather. (Sickly, elderly, infants) and trying to get into a terminal designed for about 75.

If you’ve never operated in that kind of environment, you probably don’t understand how many things can go wrong.

I place the responsibility with flt. ops mgt. Then again, many of them are young and inexperienced in that realm. For you long haul guys, how many times do you see an enroute alternate listed in the FMC, where you know nothing about it’s suitability for your passengers comfort, time of night, language, etc.. once you land in a remote place, as captain you are much more than pilot in command. You are then expected to be the Mayor.

Also, I’ve seen this in the sim. When a medical emergency occurs, it’s easy to start thinking like an ambulance driver. We aren’t. One person ill, 250 others’ safety still job one.

Originally Posted by BMEP100 (Post 2751277)

Yes,...but that does not necessarily assign blame to whoever made the call. There are a lot of cogs in the machine that don’t know much about the various eneoute alternates, because not much is published in our manuals.

I would otherwise answer your question with another. Just because any wrong judgment action turns out okay, does that then make it a “good call”?

Landing anywhere that is 30 below carries additional and unusual risks we are generally not equipped to deal with. When the runway is located in a remote town of 8000, it just adds to the risk.

If that cold soaked apu had not started (it happens), an emergency deplaning for 250 people would have eventually occurred, with many being forced into frostbite weather. (Sickly, elderly, infants) and trying to get into a terminal designed for about 75.

If you’ve never operated in that kind of environment, you probably don’t understand how many things can go wrong.

I place the responsibility with flt. ops mgt. Then again, many of them are young and inexperienced in that realm. For you long haul guys, how many times do you see an enroute alternate listed in the FMC, where you know nothing about it’s suitability for your passengers comfort, time of night, language, etc.. once you land in a remote place, as captain you are much more than pilot in command. You are then expected to be the Mayor.

Also, I’ve seen this in the sim. When a medical emergency occurs, it’s easy to start thinking like an ambulance driver. We aren’t. One person ill, 250 others’ safety still job one.

Originally Posted by JoePatroni (Post 2751463)

If the APU doesn't start, you run the engine. It wouldn't have been my first choice, based on the details out there....which could be completely wrong, but these were extremely experienced guys who, I'm pretty sure, have a grasp of the whole long haul "thing."

This was by no means the first divert to YYR for the NOC to deal with either.

Originally Posted by Yak02 (Post 2751744)

It must be time for the Company to show the movie "THe High and the Mighty" to the pilots again.

If you are not ready or are not able to make the tough decisions to be the Captain, then do the flying public a favor and stay a First Officer.

Unless the airplane was on fire or unable to fly I would have returned to EWR.

Sure hope they got landing data before landing on that cold runway....

Fly Safe and do the right thing.

Originally Posted by BMEP100 (Post 2751759)

Sure, right. So how do you refuel with an engine running and 250 pax on board at-30 with the door closed?

Oh snap!

Originally Posted by Yak02 (Post 2751744)

It must be time for the Company to show the movie "THe High and the Mighty" to the pilots again.

If you are not ready or are not able to make the tough decisions to be the Captain, then do the flying public a favor and stay a First Officer.

Unless the airplane was on fire or unable to fly I would have returned to EWR.

Sure hope they got landing data before landing on that cold runway....

Fly Safe and do the right thing.

Originally Posted by sourdough44 (Post 2747632)

Let this run through your head before that ‘medical’ divert to an out of the way Station. Of course, sometimes you do what you have to do, or lean towards Medlink directed.

No I wasn’t there, no input on this event.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa6c3OTr6yA