Comments on: When it Snows…..

By: Gary Stegall

Gary Stegall — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:37:08 +0000

RRHall, airslides in a bona-fide non-emergency would undoubededly result in injuries. Then come the lawsuites. What’s the problem with adjustable-height roll-around stairs to evacuate passengers? I’d rather be soaking wet and cold than be stuck inside a cabin for 7 hours. It’s a no-brainer to me.

By: R.R.Hall

R.R.Hall — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:31:23 +0000

Next time they can deploy the slides and get everyone off. I am really surprised that nowhere on the airport was a set of stairs that could be used. Even the president often departs via stairs instead of a jetway.

By: Bruce Landsberg

Bruce Landsberg — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:20:34 +0000

Thank you all ! Great comments. Common sense doesn’t seem to be as common as it once was , not just related to the airline business – which sometimes is an oxymoron.

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:34:12 +0000

Declare an emergency. Fire trucks have ladders. lol

By: David Adams

David Adams — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:36:57 +0000

An airstair? People actually on the ground on the ramp? Just think of all the heart attacks you just created at TSA!

By: David Adams

David Adams — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:35:31 +0000

An airstair? People actually on the ground on the ramp? Just think of all the heart attacks you are creating at TSA!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:04:57 +0000

Mr McGowan makes excellent points. I hate the phrase, “there ought to be a law…”, so it pains me to write this. But would it be THAT expensive or onerous to require that larger airports have minimal equipment on hand to move passengers from an aircraft to the terminal? I’m talking about one operable, mobile airstair and at least one qualified operator on hand at all times (note that this person may easily have other, primary duties). Aside from customs issues on international flights, am I missing something here? This simply should not happen.

By: McGowan

McGowan — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:39:50 +0000

Mr Landsburg:
The Jetblue stranding comprises 2 parts. Curing the problem as it exists, and discovering how the system got to it’s current situation.
As it exists, the Airlines are at fault since they choose to file alternates as nearby as legally possible, despite the fact that they have no support at the alternate airport, thereby allowing them to carry the minimum fuel weight and saving overall fuel burn. Unless they are required to file an alternate at which they have their own gates, this situation will reoccur.
Currently, Airlines are dependant on the Jetbridge. This developed, I believe, because Airlines really do not want passengers to know that they are on an aircraft; walking outside and seeing the aircraft from the outside drives this realization home. Taxing up to a ramp area and using mobile airstairs would allow the greatest flexibility and least expense and complexity- but would require manpower. Jobs. And no airline wants to have even 1 more worker than absolutely necessary.
So lay the blame at the feet of all Airlines- they have created a system that is designed to work only when all factors are 100%. How often does that exist in aviation?
Thanks, W McGowan, 767 FO Major Airline BOS