what would you do?

[ClassdAviator]

Say you are flying 121. A flight attendant comes in on you while taking off and stating they had an emergency. I overheard someone talking about this and I mentally answered to myself. It would depend on which part of the takeoff phase you were in. Obviously if you can abort SAFELY, I would abort. But if commited to takeoff, I would go and not runoff the end of the runway. What would you do?

 

[bobbysamd]

What kind of emergency? What would an FA be doing knocking on the flight deck door or on the intercom when he/she should be strapped into his/her jumpseat during the takeoff roll? Especially after the "flight attendants, prepare for takeoff" callout?

Having said all that, even if I haven't passed V1 and everything's normal, I would still take off. Takeoff is the most critical phase of flight; you don't interrupt it, nor do you tolerate interruptions from anyone save for the PNF or ATC.

 

[U-I pilot]

strange

I dont think this would happen seeing as though the cockpit door should be locked int he first place....Stewardess can take care of whats going on in back!

 

[regionalcap]

This is where good briefings come into play. As you part of the initial briefing, you would tell the flight attendant your own preference about when they should call during sterile cockpit. Give good examples such as fire in the cabin, structural problems etc. It all comes down to good and proper briefings with every crew.

 

[Blueline]

First of all, if flying 121, the flight attendant isn't going to be "coming in on" me during a takeoff. Our cockpit doors are locked from the inside and can't be opened from the cabin side. I do however appreciate your question.

My takeoff briefing with the first officer covers three phases during the ground roll according to our company policy:

Below 80 knots --> abort for any reason (i.e. caution lights, warnings, including flight attendant call)

Between 80 knots and V1 --> abort for engine failure, engine fire, loss of directional control, or the airplane won't safely fly

Above V1 --> takeoff, handle as inflight emergency, accomplish QRH items and evaluate the situation.

During my brief with the flight attendant, I tell him/her that if he/she calls the cockpit during the takeoff, the takeoff will be aborted. This indicates to the flight attendant the seriousness of calling the cockpit during this phase.

That being said, the call to the cockpit will not cause a high-speed abort. In fact, I would not even answer the ding of the phone until we were safely in the air as we have more important things to focus on.

BL

 

[regionalcap]

Very good points blueline..you sound like a captain who i would enjoy flying with but i would just add one statement for people to think about. Be careful on telling first officers we will abort for "anything" below a certain speed. It all depends on that condition for the takeoff. Let's say you are departing from a contaminated runway and get an inboard anti-skid inop caution. Would you risk an abort at 60 knots for that? Personally, (remember each is own..not a right or wrong) all aborts are the captain's decision. Below 80 knots..call out the abnormality and I will decide.

 

[flyn96]

Can't really happen at Mesaba, we don't take off until the FA chimes us ready for take off and we are gettin the new doors for the Saab, can't open from cabin side.

 

[bigD]

I'd probably tell the F/A:

"Why the hell are you telling me this now? I'm busy! Get back down under the instrument panel...and stop kicking the rudder pedals!"

 

[boxcar]

Let's say you are departing from a contaminated runway and get an inboard anti-skid inop caution. Would you risk an abort at 60 knots for that?

Absolutely! If you continue the takeoff on a contaminated runway after experiencing an anti-skid failure at 60 kt, good luck when an engine goes tits-up at V1 minus 1.

 

[Buffettpilot]

I like BigD's response. He always comes back with good one's to lighten the atmosphere a little

 

[U-I pilot]

hey flyn96-

If you are on the Saab's for mesaba.... can you tell me why on top of always being late leaving DTW, they cant fit all of the luggage of even 28 people on a 34 seat saab? Is the useful load abnormally low when fueled? Can't stand why they dont change some of those saab routes to all the new Canadairs they just got....

 

[mckpickle]

On the ATR I used to brief the FA that any call would illicit an abort (below V1 of course). This happend once at about 100 knots. The FA called and just said "abort" we didnt even say anything because as soon as the "ding dong" chimed we had started the abort. Turns out the emergency exit hatch popped open and and was laying is someones lap.

On the 145 below 80 knots yes abort for anything, including the FA. After 80 knots it would need to be for a **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** good reason like LOTS OF FIRE! Keep in mind too the lenth of runway you have.

 

[Typhoon1244]

My answer based on the original scenario: if the cockpit door opened at all during takeoff, I would behave as though a terrorist were attempting to commandeer the aircraft. I couldn't assume anything else, since the flight attendant has been thoroughly briefed not to enter the cockpit unannounced. (Of course, the current security bar makes this a moot point.)

Now if the F/A rings the cockpit during takeoff, assuming I have briefed her only to call us if it's a serious problem (big fire, passenger riot, etc.):

--under V1, abort.
--over V1 on 35L in DFW, abort. (Better be a serious problem in back!)
--over V1 on a more conventional runway, continue, deal with it airborne.

I agree wholeheartedly with Mcpickle: my flight attendants understand that it needs to be a really big friggin' emergency for us to about a takeoff on his/her call!

 

[hobbsmeter]

U-I Pilot

Mesaba doesn't have any CRJ's, those belong to Pinnacle, the other NW Airlink.

 

[Frank Bama]

I also once had the plug-type door fall inwards on the take off roll. On the ATR we have no way of knowing this without the FA calling. What also is fun is when they go and make the PA for "Welcome to" and hit the interphone button instead when you're in the flare. Happy Flying.

 

[mckpickle]

FIRE BAD fire very very bad!