Crew investigated after Delta (Pinnacle) flight to MSP is canceled

[derg]

Don't get me wrong, I largely agree.

The concept of a passenger buying a ticket on "Awesome Airways" and ending up subleted to "Good Enough Regional" is something that has to end.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

Don't get me wrong, I largely agree.

The concept of a passenger buying a ticket on "Awesome Airways" and ending up subleted to "Good Enough Regional" is something that has to end.

Sure.

And the mentality of "if it doesn't have 200 seats, I don't want it on the property! Yeargh!" also has to go away too. We have met the enemy, it is us!

 

[derg]

Sure.

And the mentality of "if it doesn't have 200 seats, I don't want it on the property! Yeargh!" also has to go away too. We have met the enemy, it is us!

Agreed.

Hell, I'd fly a Caravan. I largely don't care.

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

No... RES does the ground handling in GFK and since RES is wholly owned by Delta by de facto they are responsible for RES's tight budget constraints which limits the personnel staffed for every arrival and departure. 3 people is all that is allowed unless there will be more than 1 airframe on the ground at a time.

Sounds just like when NW, 9E, or XJ did the ground handling...

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Sure.

And the mentality of "if it doesn't have 200 seats, I don't want it on the property! Yeargh!" also has to go away too. We have met the enemy, it is us!

Thankfully I haven't met anyone who has something similar to that mentality in a very long time.

 

[Kingairer]

And no one at Pinnacle thought to help her or get her in an assistance program? Nice co-workers ya got there.

Typically those programs only allow entrance if the problem was brought up prior to a work or FAA violation. I think once youve show up drunk at work your done.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

Agreed.

Hell, I'd fly a Caravan. I largely don't care.

Two engines preferably turbine, but yes.

And I still run into folks like that.


Sent from Seat 3D

 

[Krystal]

The recent rash of intox crew members reminded me of an incident when I was still flying. I didnt know the whole story until I actually spoke with the captain on that particular flight.

A few years ago, our airline used to send out a daily operations email detailing the previous days delays and cancellations. I was reading it one morning and noticed a 2 hour flight attendant delya. Reason? Flight attendant showed intox. I heard varying stories until I actually talked with the captain and other FA on the flight.

In certain stations, crews are cleared through ops instead of the normal security line. Apparantly said drunken FA had missed the van to the airport initially. She didnt REALIZE she had missed it until she had been sitting in the hotel lobby for 20 minutes. (On a side note, though, if I were the Captain, I would have been VERY worried if a crew member didnt show for the van or answer their phone, but what can you do?) Once she realized it, she took the next shuttle but rather than going through ops, like she was supposed to, she went through the security line.

Well, in the security line she made an offhand comment to the one of the TSA peeps that she "still felt drunk." Needless to say, even in this tiny airport, police were already at the gate when she got there. There she proceeded to blow .18.... at 8 o'clock in the morning.

It turned out another one of our FAs was non-reving home on the flight and volunteered to take the leg back to MSP so it didnt cancel. The company instructed the gate agent to take the FA's manual and badge right there at the airport. She was terminated and her flight benefits revoked at an outstation 900 miles from home. It was only because one of the inflight supervisors took pity on her and gave her one of his buddy passes that she was able to get home the next day.

Soooo, keep this in mind: Not only is flying drunk stupid dangerous, if you are caught, for most airlines it is an IMMEDIATE termination. Which in turn is an immediate suspension of your flight benefits and jupseat agreement. Your airline is NOT obligated to get you home if you get caught at an outstation. How much money do we spend to get into our careers? Would it really kill us to wait 2 days until our next day off (or a long overnight, or vacation) to get plowed?? So not worth it.

 

[DhruvK]

The article got one major fact wrong... and if it hadn't been for some off duty employees very few if any of the pax would have left gfk that day due to a severe under staffing issue of ground personnel... people, including pax, notice when there aren't enough gate agents/rampers on hand to rebook people. Way to go Delta!

You mean the off-duty MSP employee who was non-reving back down? Yeah she and her brother (who works up here) pretty much saved the station's ass on that one.

Ironically, I traded my shift off that afternoon. Guess I picked a good one to miss...

 

[moxiepilot]

Typically those programs only allow entrance if the problem was brought up prior to a work or FAA violation. I think once youve show up drunk at work your done.

Exactly.

 

[QuasarZ]

Maybe I missed it, but where did the cops find the mini bottles? Is it routine to search the plane after something like this happens?

 

[Beep]

I'm a little late, but it has to be said.... Pizza Pizza!!

 

[efly]

I knew the flight attendant very well. She is a hardcore drunkie.

She has been working for Pinnacles for years. I am sure she is going to get sacked! There goes her pension down to the drain.

So this probably wasn't the first time? Sad story...

 

[jynxyjoe]

So who wants a beer?

 

[bronco21016]

So who wants a beer?

Is it on you?

 

[Krystal]

So this probably wasn't the first time? Sad story...

One of our FAs got canned for helping herself to wine on a ferry flight. Said FA had a history of drinking inside of 8 hours on layovers. It was only a matter of time. Sad.