Ual1636 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (13 years 10 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 763 times:
I was on a recent United flight from O'Hare to Colorado Springs when in flight over Nebraska we had a windsheild heater failure. Instead of landing in Omaha or Des Moines, where United has maintenance, the pilots got clearance back to O'Hare. Everybody was mad because we wanted to get to Colorado. So we turned back to Ohare and landed. After about 2 hours we got airborne again headed to COS. The good part was we got vouchers for $50 off our next UAL flight and free pizza in OHare.
DC-10MAN From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (13 years 10 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 758 times:
Maybe instead of possibly stranding the 100+ pax on board, a possibility even at a mx base, and going to a place with inadequate pax handling making it even more difficult to get to COS, they did use their heads. Hubs can handle this type of scenario better. There is also better service to COS from ORD than DSM if they couldn't fix the plane. So maybe he's not so dumb. ADIOS
Ual1636 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (13 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 755 times:
OK, tell me this. Why do UAL flights always land in Des Moines due to bad weather ahead going westbound and i always hear of UAL flights with mechanical failures landing in DSM. SO the pilot in a way did do a bad thing and a slight good thing.
777XI From United States of America, joined May 1999, 68 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (13 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 756 times:
Okay, the weather has nothing to do with this. Landing in DSM for a problem could have been for specific aircraft with a common problem. Tell me this: how many windshield heaters woud you keep around for each of UA's 8 different aircraft types (727, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, DC-10, A320family--not to mention the innumerable series types) at DSM? Not many as that type of accident doesn't happen often!
DC-10MAN From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (13 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 757 times:
What was the weather like between ORD and DSM? Was there a possibility of icing? There is more than one person involved in an aircraft diversion, aparently the consensus was; go back to ORD. Diversions don't always make sence to passengers, but safety is always the first question when an airport is chosen. Without knowing all of the details, ORD was the best option at that particular time, for that particular situation, according to the decision makers. At least you got some free pizza for your 2-hours. ADIOS
Ual1636 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (13 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 756 times:
I think he shouldve just kept on course to COS or diverted 15 degrees right to DEN. First because DEN has maintenance and is a hub. Also we were already 1 hour into a 2 hour flight so it wouldve been the same time goin to COS or DEN than ORD. And DEN or COS are higher up in MSL altitude. SO he wouldnt have had to go as far as if he goes back to ORD. I personnally think it was a bad descision on the pilots part. He shouldve continued on to COS or diverted to DEN. Then UAL could put us all on a DEN to COS flight.
Buff From Australia, joined Mar 2007, 0 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (13 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 757 times:
I don't think you understand that it was probably not the pilot's decision. In most large carriers, the decision to divert/return is made on the ground by people such as dispatchers (where is the airplane going next and how can I inconvenience the least number of people down the line), engineers (where is there parts availability - as already posted in this thread), weather forecasters (icing conditions enroute to any alternates), to name a few.
Once again, it was probably not the pilot's decision. You may be being somewhat unfair. Have you written UA for a more detailed explanation? Many times in situations as you've described, managers will do a "post mortem" - what could they have done differently given a repeat occurrence.
Ual1636 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (13 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 754 times:
I understand that part about the dispatchers. But they still shouldve continued to COS. If they wouldve landed in COS the 727-200 would be ready in time for the 1300 flight to O'Hare, I still think the dispatchers or the pilots shouldve continued to COS.
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