SWA lands at wrong Branson Airport

[Little G-Force]

Anybody ever witnessed a pilot who swore they were too disciplined and too careful to ever end up in a UAS [undesired aircraft state], end up in a UAS. They shut down. Knew one who went off a runway and just sat there uninjured in catatonic shock. It's handy to have personnel around who have made errors and can relate that experience.

IMO this is an opportunity to be good natured about an error that was going to happen to someone. I've flown around there al lot and PLK is lit up like a bigger airport than it is. I'm guilty of being critical of SWA on a lot of things, but how many of you being critical of this error have flown in that area?

Whenever I'm tired I say fluck it and ask to be vectored to final. I never fly to Branson was this an option? Or was no radar services available.?

 

[dicko]

At some point these two guys are going to get asked this question - "did either of you notice that both the lateral and vertical magenta indicators were at full deflection from center ?"

I feel absolutely awful for the crew. It's not a place that I ever want to be. The requirement to cross the FAF at night, on a visual is a safe practice. It reduces pressure, mitigates rushed approaches and may have prevented this incident.

 

[ATLplt]

At some point these two guys are going to get asked this question - "did either of you notice that both the lateral and vertical magenta indicators were at full deflection from center ?"

I feel absolutely awful for the crew. It's not a place that I ever want to be. The requirement to cross the FAF at night, on a visual is a safe practice. It reduces pressure, mitigates rushed approaches and may have prevented this incident.

If I was a bettin' man...

I'd say the AT way of doing night visuals is about to become the SWA way. A bit of a PITA when you're in a hurry? Sure, but that's the point. Slow down, back up what you see out the window with magenta, and if it doesn't look right press the "extra pay/live to fly another day" button. Follow the procedure every time and this shouldn't ever happen again...that is, until the cowboy who doesn't like SOP decides he knows better.

 

[PCL_128]

If I was a bettin' man...

I'd say the AT way of doing night visuals is about to become the SWA way.

I doubt it. Then they'd have to admit that the way they've always done things isn't the best way. They aren't very good at that.

 

[StarrBuck]

PCL.. I'd bet you are wrong. We've adopted a "schload" of other airtran procedures.. some good.. some not..

 

[Phlintstone]

PCL.. I'd bet you are wrong. We've adopted a "schload" of other airtran procedures.. some good.. some not..

Like what?

Phred.

 

[PCL_128]

PCL.. I'd bet you are wrong. We've adopted a "schload" of other airtran procedures.. some good.. some not..

Yes, I heard from one of our former SOC people how that works: "You've got to somehow trick them into believing that it was really their idea and not an AirTran procedure, then they'll think it's brilliant!"

 

[waveflyer]

Still trying to poison the well to the last day eh pcl?
Go fish yourself- you seem to care a lot about an airline you swear you're leaving

 

[tankerhead]

PCL.. I'd bet you are wrong. We've adopted a "schload" of other airtran procedures.. some good.. some not..

New word! New word! I'm gonna use it today, if I can work it in.

 

[PCL_128]

Still trying to poison the well to the last day eh pcl?

Just speaking the truth, wave. Sorry that it doesn't fit the idealized fantasy airline that you've concocted in your weird little mind.

Go fish yourself- you seem to care a lot about an airline you swear you're leaving

Pretty sure we've been over this before, wave. I have lots of friends stuck at that airline who don't have the opportunity to bow out like I do. I'll still be paying attention to what happens there 20 years from now. And I'll be sure to post my thoughts even then, just because I know how much it bothers you. Enjoy!

 

[slaquer5]

I doubt it. Then they'd have to admit that the way they've always done things isn't the best way. They aren't very good at that.

Actually they have got a lot better . You are correct that is the way SWA use to be. It is not that way anymore .

The training Dept. has changed a lot for the better . If you have a better way to do it , tell them. They will listen , and have been .


PS. PCL. You are nuts if you do not come over to SWA. You might want to step out of the forest to see the trees .

 

[waveflyer]

And you think your constant transparent bashing of SWA is good for those left behind eh?

 

[PCL_128]

PS. PCL. You are nuts if you do not come over to SWA. You might want to step out of the forest to see the trees .

slaquer, I'm getting out of the industry completely. Maybe SWA is perfect for you. It's not for everyone, though.

 

[PCL_128]

And you think your constant transparent bashing of SWA is good for those left behind eh?

I think it's always good to tell the truth and not live in a fantasy world.

 

[SWA Bubba]

I think it's always good to tell the truth and not live in a fantasy world.

Telling the truth is one thing.

Coloring the truth to fit an agenda is quite another.

Bubba