Author Topic: The flight from heck.... (Read 523 times)

midnight Target · « **on:** October 06, 2006, 05:35:39 PM »

It was kinda bad gosh darn it!

Anyway, flew into Chicago on Monday night. There was this little thunderstorm that happened to arrive at the same time I did. The pilot asked for the crew to buckle in early and warned us it might be a little rough.

I had a window seat, and the light show (lightning) was pretty cool on the way in. Bumps and dips were tolerable, and the landing was pretty smooth. We taxied to the terminal and were about 50 feet away when the pilot stops the plane. We were held due to the storm.... for 2 hours!

Buncha pansie ground crew wouldn't take the chance of getting a little lightning strike.. sissies!!!!

LePaul · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2006, 05:41:18 PM »

Those evil union groundworkers!

Charon · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2006, 05:44:52 PM »

It usually only takes a drizzle somewhere in Iowa or Wisconsin to cause a two hour delay at O'Hare. I would have expected 8-9 hours at the very least with Monday's weather

Charon

Toad · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2006, 07:02:54 PM »

It may not have been the airline's call; the airport opeating authority can "shut her down".

From:

Weather Information for Surface Transportation

Sector Activities for Airport Ground Operations

Quote

Lightning is the most common thunderstorm-related threat. Most activities begin halting noncritical activities when lightning is observed at or near the outer boundaries of their lightning detection grid. When lightning is observed within 3 nautical miles of the airfield, all refueling operations are halted and personnel are moved inside or under cover. (Some operators reported that they take their people off the line when lightning is observed at or within 10 nautical miles.)

Golfer · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2006, 07:42:57 PM »

Toad were you in Dallas within the last week?

Toad · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2006, 07:46:58 PM »

Nope. Anymore, I break out in a rash at the thought of air travel.

AquaShrimp · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2006, 08:14:10 PM »

I work for UPS at their air hub. If lightning strikes within 5 miles of the airport, we have to go on an operational-shutdown for 15 minutes. Thusly no one is allowed onto the tarmac.

I've seen terminals that are completely enclosed, the operator drives them to the aircraft. Wonder if those are allowed to be used during a storm?

Golfer · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2006, 08:40:50 PM »

Talked to a guy at Million Air Addison that looked just like you and is former military prior to DL. Didn't know where you were from, this guy lives in FL and was picking up his family in his 310. Thought maybe it was you.

Though I'm sure there's only a handfull of former military guys who ever worked at DL that are relatively average height with average build.

Dago · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2006, 09:42:27 PM »

Hanging around the outside of a huge metal lightning rod in an active thunderstorm is not my idea of a good idea.

Chairboy · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2006, 09:53:52 PM »

There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime.
(Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970).

RAIDER14 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2006, 09:56:57 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dago
Hanging around the outside of a huge metal lightning rod in an active thunderstorm is not my idea of a good idea.

If the plane gets struck at the terminal while ground operations are going how would it effect the workers?? the planes are grounded they have rubber wheels

Toad · « **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2006, 10:09:24 PM »

Quote

2/06 - SEATAC AIRPORT - KING COUNTY AN AIRPORT WORKER WAS DAZED AFTER LIGHTNING STRUCK THE PLANE HE WAS LOADING ON THE TARMACK

I'd have thought you'd be aware of all this, given the vast amount of time you've spent on SWA jumpseats.

Mini D · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2006, 10:11:04 PM »

WHAT A COINCIDENCE! Our plane sat on the tarmac at O'Hare for an hour too. Except there wasn't any lightning. That's how long it took someone to move the jetway out to the plane.

I would rather fly through any other airport in the U.S. (with the possible exception of LAX) than go through O'Hare again.

RAIDER14 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2006, 10:17:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Toad
I'd have thought you'd be aware of all this, given the vast amount of time you've spent on SWA jumpseats.

he was just dazed

I debunked that SWA thing a long while back:rolleyes:

Toad · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2006, 10:18:56 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Chairboy
There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime.
(Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970).

Interestingly enough, my dad flew through tstms in peacetime for the AF.

He was in the initial cadre of instrument flying instructors at Barksdale AFB when it became HQ for Air Training Command. He wrote part of 51-37, the instrument flying procedures manual.

One of the chapters he and his buddies were going to write was "How to Fly Through Thunderstorms". It ended up being a very short chapter best summarized by "DON'T!"

He and others would sit "strip alert" on hot summer nights in B-25's waiting for a good boomer to pop up. Then they'd go fly through it. There are some photos around of severly hail damaged B-25's. Many of those come from this experiment at Barksdale.

He said it was some of the most exciting flying he ever did. But he didn't say that in a way that connotes a good or fun thing.