Sharing the experiences

mission_aviation

Well-Known Member
I getting kind of tired of people posting the same threads with the same questions about our profession. So I've got an idea, lets share some of our experiences with the curious cases of Benjamin Buttons out there. Only then will they might conclude if this job is right for them. For example:

Yesterday while I was on duty, I had one of my flights divert to IAH from AEX enroute to LRD and on to MSLP (Houston Intercontinental, Alexandria, Laredo, San Salvador for those who didn't know the city codes) due to the APU catching fire. I recieved an AIRINC patch from the crew indicating they had declared an emergency and are landing in IAH. Since it was a government charter, I could not track them on explorer. So my first thoughts were "oh <crap>" the easy day went straight to hell. The problem with small companies is that everyone has like fifty jobs to do besides what they've been hired for. Since we are a company with no out stations besides one that the casinos are at, we have to establish ground handling from everyone. Can you guess who had to contact those folks when this happened? You guessed it, me. Long story short, the plane made it in IAH and taxied to the FBO with police and fire escort. After an hour or so and 3 MELs later, the plane was flying again without the APU. Needless to say though that we did not continue on to SLP because of the incident conflicting with duty times. I hope they finally realize that buying cheap refurbished things like engines and APUs will not last as long as they think it will. The moral to my story is: Don't be cheap.
 
I getting kind of tired of people posting the same threads with the same questions about our profession. So I've got an idea, lets share some of our experiences with the curious cases of Benjamin Buttons out there. Only then will they might conclude if this job is right for them. For example:

Yesterday while I was on duty, I had one of my flights divert to IAH from AEX enroute to LRD and on to MSLP (Houston Intercontinental, Alexandria, Laredo, San Salvador for those who didn't know the city codes) due to the APU catching fire. I recieved an AIRINC patch from the crew indicating they had declared an emergency and are landing in IAH. Since it was a government charter, I could not track them on explorer. So my first thoughts were "oh <crap>" the easy day went straight to hell. The problem with small companies is that everyone has like fifty jobs to do besides what they've been hired for. Since we are a company with no out stations besides one that the casinos are at, we have to establish ground handling from everyone. Can you guess who had to contact those folks when this happened? You guessed it, me. Long story short, the plane made it in IAH and taxied to the FBO with police and fire escort. After an hour or so and 3 MELs later, the plane was flying again without the APU. Needless to say though that we did not continue on to SLP because of the incident conflicting with duty times. I hope they finally realize that buying cheap refurbished things like engines and APUs will not last as long as they think it will. The moral to my story is: Don't be cheap.

I remember hearing about that divert on the news.

There is a product called "secure track" that can be used to keep track of your government flights, but I don't know what's required to get it up and running. Probably not worth it unless your employer does a LOT of government charters.

I remember working at a small carrier and having lots of "hats." It's nice to be at a larger one now with more support. However, at times my small airline was a very fun place to work at due to the people there. I think diverts to off-station airports are always a challenge...but since I'm at a major now it's usually possible to divert somewhere we have support. Not all the time but usually.

I fortunately never had to fill in for crew scheduling any at that place...I've heard of small airlines where that is required, and having had a bit of experience doing that at one regional I worked for, I can say, never again.
 
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