Christmas Meltdown 2025

[DPApilot]

I would love to but he needs to fly in my airspace again

Gross.

 

[derg]

I was surprised at how dead it was today. Normally the Xmas break time is busy af. I don’t know if it’s just a EWR thing cause maybe they’re restricting it still or people are afraid of that airport now or a broader sign of the economy but I’ve never seen it this dead this time of year.

I had a 350 with 118 pax on board last week and only one person in the premium cabin up front. That was… interesting.

 

[ERfly]

What’s the poop there? MD-11 grounding?

Part of it. No one is wanting to fly extra. Tons of flights canceling (from what I hear...I've mostly checked out at the moment). 777s sitting on the ramp without crews. Used to be a HUGE deal when FWS was in charge, but the guys running this place don't seem to care too much. Our SVP of Air Ops put out a half-hearted plea and "promise" that anyone volunteering to pick up extra wouldn't be extended into Christmas. Ha! I read that as he's trying like hell to save his job because he's one of the reasons we're in this mess.

The last I heard they should be backup early summer. Talking to a UPS pilot I ran into at dinner he said the company is not making it easy for the MD11 pilots. They are requiring them to commute to base and sit reserve X days a month. Don't think he was BSing me. Anyone hear similar?

Wow, really?! Our Fleet Captain told us that we're free from any duty until further notice, with the exception of landings sims. I had to do mine on 12/16 and it felt really weird being in the AOC (I did mine in our old training building on the airport).

 

[Comair 100ER]

Did we ever declare a winner? Looks like southern jets won. Again. In fact, it looks like they’re still winning.

 

[arkflyr]

Everyone was riding the struggle bus at MSP yesterday. Took us an hour to taxi out, get deiced, and airborne. But these poor guys’ tug got stuck half way through the pushback.

DL10 (DAL10) Delta Air Lines Flight Tracking and History 28-Dec-2025 (KMSP-LHR / EGLL) - FlightAware

Track Delta Air Lines (DL) #10 flight from Minneapolis/St Paul Intl to London Heathrow

www.flightaware.com

I’m not too familiar with that side of the airport but they were blocking both A and B, for a while. I felt so bad for them, sucks just being stuck there helpless for an hour.

 

[Bandit_Driver]

Part of it. No one is wanting to fly extra. Tons of flights canceling (from what I hear...I've mostly checked out at the moment). 777s sitting on the ramp without crews. Used to be a HUGE deal when FWS was in charge, but the guys running this place don't seem to care too much. Our SVP of Air Ops put out a half-hearted plea and "promise" that anyone volunteering to pick up extra wouldn't be extended into Christmas. Ha! I read that as he's trying like hell to save his job because he's one of the reasons we're in this mess.


Wow, really?! Our Fleet Captain told us that we're free from any duty until further notice, with the exception of landings sims. I had to do mine on 12/16 and it felt really weird being in the AOC (I did mine in our old training building on the airport).

That would make more sense. Not sure why a guy would BS about something like but, glad the guys aren't getting screwed with.

 

[scooter2525]

The last I heard they should be backup early summer. Talking to a UPS pilot I ran into at dinner he said the company is not making it easy for the MD11 pilots. They are requiring them to commute to base and sit reserve X days a month. Don't think he was BSing me. Anyone hear similar?

Mostly true.

 

[Minuteman]

I agree, get wrekt tonight, Erie-Alleghenyailures.

 

[Roger Roger]

Everyone was riding the struggle bus at MSP yesterday. Took us an hour to taxi out, get deiced, and airborne. But these poor guys’ tug got stuck half way through the pushback.

DL10 (DAL10) Delta Air Lines Flight Tracking and History 28-Dec-2025 (KMSP-LHR / EGLL) - FlightAware

Track Delta Air Lines (DL) #10 flight from Minneapolis/St Paul Intl to London Heathrow

www.flightaware.com

I’m not too familiar with that side of the airport but they were blocking both A and B, for a while. I felt so bad for them, sucks just being stuck there helpless for an hour.

That’s surprising, the couple times I’ve had reason to deice in MSP they seemed to have their stuff together. As compared to, say, Seattle.

 

[arkflyr]

Oh I’m not saying they don’t do a good job, just for us we only have three spots to deice and for whatever reason they were only using one of them. We were the last of three to leave in a row so that was the cause of our delay.

I only brought up really because I felt bad for those widget guys that were having issues getting off the gate. Two plus hours to get airborne is no fun for anyone, adding that on top of it really sucks.

 

[ERfly]

That would make more sense. Not sure why a guy would BS about something like but, glad the guys aren't getting screwed with.

I'm only speaking for Purple.

 

[Malko]

I had a 350 with 118 pax on board last week and only one person in the premium cabin up front. That was… interesting.

What....? No upgrades.....I'd love for that to happen in March to Kona...