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Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

flightradar24.com

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Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#141

Post by forapurpose »

mistercow wrote: post #33
treyfitty wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm usually cynical in these situations, but I don't think it was about revenue. Quick decision making by even the most incompetent executive would have prompted the following response: "Let's see... 50% chance of incremental $200*150=$30K (idk the price nor the capacity, so just entertain me) in revenue. Let's bump that with the expected loss/lawsuits if this fails = ... Who cares? It's in the millions. Just don't d…

For reference, the cost of a 737-900ER is about $100M. The value of the PR that comes from a heroic evacuation is hard to measure.

How about the cost of PR if the plane crashes and your airline looks insanely reckless and guilty of manslaughter?

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#142

Post by hnaccy »

cc439 wrote: post #116
bluesnowmonkey wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

History already means recorded. Anything before records exist is called prehistoric.

The problem with that definition is that "prehistoric" is a lot more recent than people realize in the Americas.

Interestingly the Klamath people have an oral history of the eruption of Mount Mazama and formation of Crater Lake over 7000 years ago.

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#143

Post by AnimalMuppet »

forapurpose wrote: post #141
mistercow wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For reference, the cost of a 737-900ER is about $100M. The value of the PR that comes from a heroic evacuation is hard to measure.

How about the cost of PR if the plane crashes and your airline looks insanely reckless and guilty of manslaughter?

For trying to evacuate people in front of a life-threatening storm? That's not reckless. (Granted, the media might paint it that way...)

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#144

Post by jordache »

idlewords wrote: post #76
jordache wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

why? the hurricane is predictable in its movement and moves at a snail's pace relative to the plane. The pilots I'm sure had radar data inside the cockpit It's not rocket science.

The plane was fully turned around and refueled in 52 minutes, with a hurricane bearing down on it. Your response doesn't do a lot of justice to an impressive team effort.

the only plane at the airport right? full dedication of available personnel

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#146

Post by giancarlostoro »

Jare wrote: post #103
what_ever wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There were 30 people on the flight to San Juan.

Each one of them must be quite a story. Being in San Juan despite the danger must have been very important for most, and they almost were unable to make it.

Honestly wondered if Jim Cantore was on that plane.

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#147

Post by Reason077 »

joering2 wrote: post #139
digi_owl wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Now i wonder who in Delta management were willing to put the plane, never mind the crew, on the line for this flight. It if was totaled by the hurricane it would not have looked good on the company books.

Very good question. Whether Im stockholder or shareholder in this position I want to know why and why is risking hundreds of millions of dollars in my rolling stock not to mention lost lives and PR disaster. Honestly there is NO reasonable explanation. But wait few days to find out there was some high ranking company member or CEO/C level exec or his/her family stuck over there and thats why they send a plane. And no…

As explained by omegant in the post above, lives were not at risk here.

The risk was to the aircraft: if it had been delayed on the ground at SJU for any reason, it might not have be able to depart before the storm hit and would likely have suffered severe damage.

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#148

Post by [deleted] »

omegant wrote: post #89

Commercial pilot here, currently flying transatlantic routes. I avoided Irma last week while flying to Buenos Aires (it was not this big yet). I have partners in San Juan at this moment, bunkered in the hotel. We see this as a crazy move, very well executed, but too risky for the plane itself (not so much for the crew). Let me explain, the metar and tafors (the airport meteorological reports we use) during the flight…

[deleted]

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#149

Post by wtallis »

KeepTalking wrote: post #138
omegant wrote: post #89

Commercial pilot here, currently flying transatlantic routes. I avoided Irma last week while flying to Buenos Aires (it was not this big yet). I have partners in San Juan at this moment, bunkered in the hotel. We see this as a crazy move, very well executed, but too risky for the plane itself (not so much for the crew). Let me explain, the metar and tafors (the airport meteorological reports we use) during the flight…

One often neglected risk is the risk to the ramp crew from lightning. For a quick turn around in the middle of a storm like this, someone needs to neglect their own personal safety. Many times lighting is less risky to the plane but even before the storms roll in the lighting picks up.

Hurricanes tend to have far less lightning than everyday storm fronts.

Re: Delta Goes Big, Then Goes Home

#150

Post by stordoff »

forapurpose wrote: post #141
mistercow wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For reference, the cost of a 737-900ER is about $100M. The value of the PR that comes from a heroic evacuation is hard to measure.

How about the cost of PR if the plane crashes and your airline looks insanely reckless and guilty of manslaughter?

Even if the plane crashes, a properly planned flight shouldn't look reckless - knowing the risks, but deciding them manageable and the best option for everyone involved doesn't seem too far removed from a normal flight.

It's also not just an airline decision - you've got a pilot in control who can make the no-go call at any point, and their training should prevent them from undertaking unnecessary risks.

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