http://www.chron.com/news/article/Al...g-note-not-appropriate-3769223.php
Anyone have more information/details about this incident? I have no doubt that the note was written with good intentions so as not to alarm pax who could see the repair to the flap from their window. Curious as to people's thoughts on this.
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- ikramerica
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
The missing bit that AS should have added was:
Replace the word "we" with "Alaska Air" and add "It is safe." or something similar at the end.
But it was a note for the next AS ground crew to be clear that they already know, not for the pax. Had they written it on the bottom side, maybe no pax would have noticed at all?
Replace the word "we" with "Alaska Air" and add "It is safe." or something similar at the end.
But it was a note for the next AS ground crew to be clear that they already know, not for the pax. Had they written it on the bottom side, maybe no pax would have noticed at all?
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Alaska made a statement today that whoever wrote this was not following established proceedure. I imagine they'll get a good tongue-lashing. Not very smart.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Friggin' hilarious. People freak out over the simplest of things. Next thing you know, a flight attendant will put a sticky on a Kosher meal saying, "We know about this" and the entire plane will expect to be blown to bits.
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- futureualpilot
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
I find it amusing, it is nice to see a sense of humor these days but as hair triggered as people are, especially with aviation, it wasn't smart.
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- AirframeAS
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Any pics? Where is that "This Thread Is Worthless Without Pics" icon? 
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Maybe if they put a little smiley face on it people would have looked at it differently.
We know about this
See, I think that is much better!
We know about this
See, I think that is much better!
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
From the article on Gizmodo:
http://m.gizmodo.com/5932310/crazy-m...y-alaska-airlines-maintenance-crew
http://m.gizmodo.com/5932310/crazy-m...y-alaska-airlines-maintenance-crewTiny, unreadable text leaves ample room for interpretation.
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- spiritair97
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- MaverickM11
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
I've seen this on a few other 737 NGs--what exactly is going on here? What was cut out of the flap and why?
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- spiritair97
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
I forgot to ask, just out of curiosity, did the aircraft in question have blended winglets fitted on it's wings?
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Better to have left alone and put out a NOTAMs to all crew assigned to the aircraft to make an appropriate announcement to passengers or discreetly deal with individual questions and comments.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
| Quoting spiritair97 (Reply 8): I've seen this on a few other 737 NGs--what exactly is going on here? What was cut out of the flap and why? |
I don't know much about the NG, but I can make a reasonable guess. It appears that this area is in the exhaust path of the right engine (or is #2 on the NG?). An engine so low to the ground would have a tendency to pick things up and send them through the cold stream. The damage could be from this FOD hitting the surface. What you see here is a result of the interim repair to this surface. Just a guess. Or, someone dropped the flap on a ladder.
And, I doubt that this message is to the ground crew or the flight crew. The crews should already have this information in hand when they get to the aircraft.
This note is a public service announcement to the passengers that see this repair and think the aircraft is falling apart.
When seconds count, the police are minutes away, or may not come at all.
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Ego Bibere Capulus, Ut Aliis Sit Vivere
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- AirframeAS
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Does anyone know the tail number to this aircraft?
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
| Quoting MaddogJT8D (Thread starter): Curious as to people's thoughts on this. |
I think it's great. It's perfectly safe, it lets the next ground crew know that they don't need to report it (again), and it should quell some passenger questions and concerns.
| Quoting spiritair97 (Reply 8): This would maybe make me a bit unsettled. |
How come? Wouldn't seeing apparent flap damage and not knowing if the airline knew about it be more unsettling?
| Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 9): I've seen this on a few other 737 NGs--what exactly is going on here? What was cut out of the flap and why? |
They cut the corner off and potted (filled) the edge; standard temporary repair for honeycomb structures that have damage on a corner. Most likely ramp rash but, as others noted, could be FOD damage. It will fly like that until they get a chance to do a permanent repair or replace the flap.
Tom.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
LMAO I'm expecting to see a report of some passengers that were passing a note around. But this is hilarious. I'm Sure the mechanic thought he was doing a good thing but obviously it got to deep.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
| Quoting usair330 (Reply 16): I'm Sure the mechanic thought he was doing a good thing but obviously it got to deep. |
Thinking about it a little more, the mechanic probably put it there at the request of some flight crew. That way the passengers don't bother the flight crew with questions about a 'thing on the wing missing'.
When seconds count, the police are minutes away, or may not come at all.
It’s hard to win an argument with a smart person, but it’s damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person. ~B. Murray
Ego Bibere Capulus, Ut Aliis Sit Vivere
It’s hard to win an argument with a smart person, but it’s damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person. ~B. Murray
Ego Bibere Capulus, Ut Aliis Sit Vivere
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Years ago I was riding a DL L-1011 from SLC to ATL, I was seated so that the leading edge of the left wing was right outside my window. There were 6 long screws in varrying degrees of "unscrewed" (??) along a seam just inboard of the leading edge slat. One had to be protruding 4-6 inches out of its hole with the others not sticking out that much but certainly enough! I wish there had been a note telling me that they knew about that!!!
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Next time, put a "thanks" after it so it can't seem hostile.
Also a scribble or something like someone signed/initialed it would help re-assure people too, as that makes it seem more "official". Not suggesting the use of an actual signature or intial though as its clearly not proper FAA paperwork.
Also a scribble or something like someone signed/initialed it would help re-assure people too, as that makes it seem more "official". Not suggesting the use of an actual signature or intial though as its clearly not proper FAA paperwork.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Oh dear.
Some folks here and the passenger who got freaked out really have had a sense-of-humour-ectomy at some point!
I'd have laughed my ass off at this. I wanna give that mech a beer!
Some folks here and the passenger who got freaked out really have had a sense-of-humour-ectomy at some point!
I'd have laughed my ass off at this. I wanna give that mech a beer!
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
| Quoting ikramerica (Reply 1): Replace the word "we" with "Alaska Air" and add "It is safe." or something similar at the end. |
Agreed. I can't blame the passengers for thinking this might have meant something along the lines of: "Your plane is going to crash, but it's okay because we already know it's going to, so the search and rescue teams will be in position."
I definitely would've brought it to the cabin crew's attention just to make sure everything was fine.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Perhaps the airlines should equip all passenger seats with a large red panic button? This could trigger a device to release a shot glass full of vodka which the passenger could consume and thereby calm some freaking exposed nerves. Just a thought. Any insignificant little thing is a crisis these days, especially where aviation is concerned. Beam me up.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
LOL, to me just knowing that those maintenance people know that this small piece of wing is missing and have verified that it doesn't cause any trouble during flight would be just calming. Of course they could have written that note a bit different way, but oh well, its better than not writing it at all no matter what Alaska says.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
There seem to be a bit of a over-reaction on this note. Even if it is not a standard procedure. There have been pictures on A.net showing wings in much worse condition than this. I once flew on an ATR and one of the wings panels was not fasten on one side. Into the fuselage. It vibrated a lot in the air, but even if the panel would have fallen of the only risk would be that it would hit the tail. The flight attendant got a bit nervous when I told her about the loose panel, and she did notify the captain. The captain continued to the destination. I would actually have like it better if there was a note saying that the wing panel was not fasten and that this was not a mistake. However on my ATR flight, I believe that this was a mistake.
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Well I'm just so thankful that everyone is alright and made it out of the plane safely!!!
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- flybynight
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
It is one thing for people on this website (who are aiviation buffs) to think a note like this is OK. I too would have understood it.
But take your average passenger who is probably a little nervous about flying to begin with, a note like that was pretty damn stupid.
C'mon, use some freaking common sense Mr/Ms Mechanic.
[Edited 2012-08-08 09:42:31]
But take your average passenger who is probably a little nervous about flying to begin with, a note like that was pretty damn stupid.
C'mon, use some freaking common sense Mr/Ms Mechanic.
[Edited 2012-08-08 09:42:31]
Heia Norge!
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
I think it is hilarious and I probably wouldn't have been concerned because it is obvious that the cut was intentional due to the clean nature of shape.
That said, I would estimate that a majority of pax have some level of fear of flying (including myself) and this would be concerning to a lot of them and pants wetting for some of them. A fear of flying may seem irrational to a lot of A-Netters but it is very real. We may understand how planes fly and how safe they are statistically...but even I can't get my mind completely around the thought of hundreds of people jammed in aluminum tubes flying at 500 miles per hour at 40,000 feet above earth!
For that reason the note is inappropriate (although obviously well intentioned). It could have been handled in a different way...maybe Alaska should have an official sticker that it can place on the aircraft for this type of interim repair.
That said, I would estimate that a majority of pax have some level of fear of flying (including myself) and this would be concerning to a lot of them and pants wetting for some of them. A fear of flying may seem irrational to a lot of A-Netters but it is very real. We may understand how planes fly and how safe they are statistically...but even I can't get my mind completely around the thought of hundreds of people jammed in aluminum tubes flying at 500 miles per hour at 40,000 feet above earth!
For that reason the note is inappropriate (although obviously well intentioned). It could have been handled in a different way...maybe Alaska should have an official sticker that it can place on the aircraft for this type of interim repair.
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- ikramerica
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
| Quoting BC77008 (Reply 25): Well I'm just so thankful that everyone is alright and made it out of the plane safely!!! |
I know. It was touch and go there for a while...
| Quoting flybynight (Reply 26): But take your average passenger who is probably a little nervous about flying to begin with, a note like that was pretty damn stupid. |
No doubt. The way it was worded could have been taken as a saboteur's threat by someone afraid of flying. Professor Dick Soloman or the Priceline Negotiator to name two candidates...
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
The cut is really disconcerting, but I just.... love their wording. I would've had a helluva giggle fit if I saw that in-flight.
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- NorthstarBoy
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
When i see things like this it makes me honestly wonder sometimes why flight crews now-a-days are so inhibited about making announcements over the PA system. They don't give their names, sometimes they don't say anything at all other than "Flight attendants prepare for departure." Honestly, I can remember a day, not too many years ago, when something that might be considered to be an obvious defect to the aircraft from a passenger's point of view would have been met with something like:
"Well folks, this is your captain speaking, some of you sitting on the right side of the airplane may notice what appears to be damage to the wing. Let me reassure you that maintenance is well aware of the situation and has informed us that this blemish to the beauty of our 737 has no effect on the safety or flying capability of the airplane. We here at Alaska Airlines do our best to ensure that every one of your flying experiences with us is 100 percent safe and if our maintenance department thought that this blemish wasn't safe, they'd have gotten us a new airplane. Once again, it's nothing to worry about so sit back, relax and enjoy and flight."
Now-a-days it seems like they don't say anything, passengers get freaked out over something that's probably minor, they complain about it in social media and the PR department has to issue a statement. Just save everything the headache, stress, and bandwidth, and make an announcement.
"Well folks, this is your captain speaking, some of you sitting on the right side of the airplane may notice what appears to be damage to the wing. Let me reassure you that maintenance is well aware of the situation and has informed us that this blemish to the beauty of our 737 has no effect on the safety or flying capability of the airplane. We here at Alaska Airlines do our best to ensure that every one of your flying experiences with us is 100 percent safe and if our maintenance department thought that this blemish wasn't safe, they'd have gotten us a new airplane. Once again, it's nothing to worry about so sit back, relax and enjoy and flight."
Now-a-days it seems like they don't say anything, passengers get freaked out over something that's probably minor, they complain about it in social media and the PR department has to issue a statement. Just save everything the headache, stress, and bandwidth, and make an announcement.
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- flybynight
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
| Quoting United787 (Reply 27): I think it is hilarious and I probably wouldn't have been concerned because it is obvious that the cut was intentional due to the clean nature of shape. That said, I would estimate that a majority of pax have some level of fear of flying (including myself) and this would be concerning to a lot of them and pants wetting for some of them. A fear of flying may seem irrational to a lot of A-Netters but it is very real. We may understand how planes fly and how safe they are statistically...but even I can't get my mind completely around the thought of hundreds of people jammed in aluminum tubes flying at 500 miles per hour at 40,000 feet above earth! For that reason the note is inappropriate (although obviously well intentioned). It could have been handled in a different way...maybe Alaska should have an official sticker that it can place on the aircraft for this type of interim repair |
Very well said...and a smart solution.
Heia Norge!
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- cotparampguy
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Was it for the passengers though? It seems like something they'd put there so it's not reported everytime someone does a walkaround after the plane has landed. Although our mechanics put a number code by the damage, but I guess that works just as well.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
| Quoting United787 (Reply 27): maybe Alaska should have an official sticker that it can place on the aircraft for this type of interim repair. |
| Quoting cotparampguy (Reply 32): Although our mechanics put a number code by the damage, but I guess that works just as well. |
Both of your suggestions are exactly what is supposed to be adjacent to the damage. A yellow dot indicates damage that is known and has been dis-positioned. If that is insufficient, the logpage or engineering number can be written beside it.
RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
| Quoting tdscanuck (Reply 14): Quoting spiritair97 (Reply 8): This would maybe make me a bit unsettled. How come? Wouldn't seeing apparent flap damage and not knowing if the airline knew about it be more unsettling? |
I absolutely agree, but the thing is that for many people who wouldn't even have noticed the note served to catch their attention to the fact that there was something "wrong" with their aircraft. Most people who are not familiar with aviation think that the airplane is either working fine or broken. They have no idea about MEL, go/no go failures or in general the fact that no airplane is ever 100% OK. It will always have something to be fixed somewhere.
So all of a sudden they look and see A PART OF THEIR WING MISSING!!! HOW IRRESPONSIBLE CAN THE AIRLINE BE TO FLY THE AIRPLANE IN SUCH CONDITIONS!!!???
Yes, it makes me laugh too, but it is what it is...
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RE: Alaska "Plane Note" Not Appropriate
Whats with the dusty look on the aft flap.
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