Comments on: Continental pilot dies midflight

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:29:40 +0000

First, of course, my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased pilot.

But if I had been the First Officer on that flight, I might have been pretty insulted — and ticked off — that they had emergency equipment on hand for my landing. Captains and FO’s routinely alternate who flies (and lands) the plane; 50% of the time, your plane is landed by the FO in any case… and no “emergency equipment” is required.

If a Part 121 carrier like Continental employed first officers who were NOT completely capable of making a routine landing…. now THAT would be the emergency. (But that is not the case.)

By: Oliver

Oliver — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:54:48 +0000

@Lucky — so was an emergency declared? What was the emergency? (maybe I am not understanding the word emergency… the pilot was dead due to natural causes and the cockpit was fully manned with qualified pilots).

By: UAPremierGuy

UAPremierGuy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:12:15 +0000

Oh my god! The automatic pilot is deflating!

By: lucky

lucky — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:28:27 +0000

@ theflyingpinto — Thanks! Nice to have approval from the other side.

@ Elliot — Spot on.

@ Chris — Yeah, I was surprised as well when I heard that. Seems like a big plane for BRU.

@ Gray — Great minds think alike.

@ Lewis — My understanding was that the doctors were in the cockpit to check on the captain. Shockingly enough logic trumped technicalities for once!

@ Oliver — Well, it’s not like they have anything else to do, heh. My understanding is that whenever an emergency is declared (regardless of the type), they have a full setup.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:18:56 +0000

Regarding emergency landing… why DID Newark roll out the fire trucks and ambulances? To get them guys some exercise?

By: Lewis

Lewis — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:15:23 +0000

So here’s my question…. apparently they called for a doctor onboard. Had their been one, would said doctor have been permitted to enter the cockpit?!

After all, nobody would have time nor the ability to check his credentials onboard.

I’d like to think common sense would prevail… but US carriers… 9/11… humm…

By: Gray

Gray — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:58:40 +0000

You stole my airplane bit!!! :p

(I have graphical representation over at my blog). Beat that.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:27:25 +0000

The only thing that I felt was newsworthy from this is that CO deploys a 777 to go EWR-BRU while DL/AA are flying a 757.

By: Elliot

Elliot — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:26:49 +0000

Totally agree, can you believe how many people and news outlets have used the term “emergency landing” as though they foamed the EWR runway or were dealing with a landing gear indicator light malfunction? Tragic, of course, but ridiculous.

By: theflyingpinto

theflyingpinto — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:19:04 +0000

Well said! Thank you!!