Last time it was the remarkable tale of the diversion to drop off the flight attendant. This time it's the diversion to pick one up. Life on United's long-haul fleet is rarely less than interesting it seems.Here's the flight in question. United 803 out of Washington Dulles on Saturday 10 October bound for Tokyo Narita. Unfortunately it turns up back at Dulles two and a half hours later - so why would that be?
My information is that this was due to the slightly embarrassing discovery an hour into the trip that the crew was one flight attendant short of the required minimum number. The aircraft dumped fuel and turned back to Dulles. I wonder what the passengers were told?
Anyone know anything more?
on October 13, 2009 4:33 AM | Reply
Kieran, you have your finger on the pulse. Would love to see you on Twitter (and cross-post to the Flight Blog?) to get more regular updates on the stories only you have.
on October 13, 2009 11:30 PM | Reply
Kieran,
Why wouldn't the plane divert into ORD, DEN, or SFO and pick up a different flight attendant instead? It seems like this would be a better option. I have flown JFK to Tokyo before - a 14 hour flight. I can't imagine tacking on an extra five hours....
on October 15, 2009 1:43 AM | Reply
Ben,
I would likely plan to fly North from Dulles to Tokyo making Dulles practically the closest to return to.
on October 15, 2009 10:38 AM | Reply
The FlightAware track seems to favour Jake's theory.
on October 15, 2009 4:51 PM | Reply
The FAA should grant a waiver in such instances rather than mandate this environmental catastrophe.
on October 18, 2009 1:25 PM | Reply
you have it completely wrong....delayed day 1 ex iad for mtc..departed late...returned for mtc....overnight delay due crew time...recrewed at gate day 2 for flt att.
on October 19, 2009 9:53 AM | Reply
Interesting to hear from you, but my information is otherwise.
on October 19, 2009 7:32 PM | Reply
In either case, it's not as embarrassing as an incident several years ago (American Airlines, I believe) where they departed with NO flight attendants onboard. Their mistake was discovered when a passenger knocked on the cockpit door (pre-911) to ask why there was no cabin service.
on October 19, 2009 10:21 PM | Reply
American left w/o ANY flight attendants? Highly unlikely. Who would close the door to the airplane?
on October 21, 2009 12:31 AM | Reply
Think hiflyer is correct....each f/a has specific duties such as doors to be responsible for...or exit row briefings....one missing would be noticed before departure. Gate agents also have to make sure minimum crew is on board before boarding can commence. Minimum crew was probably on board per FAA requirements, but long haul flights have augmented crews for
crew rest requirements, and the last f/a was probably on reserve and late to the airport, and the captain decided not to wait.
Ian
on October 22, 2009 4:14 PM | Reply
This is a major "ouch" to the profit that the flight should have realised (all that fuel thrown out to bring the 777's landing weight down)...uuuhhhh!
They should start doing crew head counts prior to departure...the way its done in school:
Capt: F.O. (1st Officer)?
1st Officer: Here.
Capt: M-D-C (Maitre-de-cabin)?
M-D-C: Here.
Capt: Purser?
Purser: Here.
...etc, etc.
on October 22, 2009 10:33 PM | Reply
The misssing flight Attendant is critical situation, especially during an emergency landing, or crash.
on October 23, 2009 5:14 PM | Reply
I was on that flight. It was my worst experience ever. There were many more embarrassing stories before and after that flight.
On October 10th, we were boarded on one plane, but due to mechanical error, we had to switch plane. Then more mechanical error, and the crew have to be switch also due to crew working hours.
While I am eating my dinner, the pilot announce we had to turn without giving any reason. I later found out that it is one crew missing from the flight attendant.
When we returned to Dulles, everyone left the airport without going through the immigration? We left through a different gate. All non-US citizen is not accounted for one night.
The next day, the reservation desk was surprised by delayed flight. One of the reservation desk person doesn't know what to do with us. Luckily it gets resolved.
we were asked to board on gate D4, but at the last minute before boarding, we were ask to go to gate C3. Wrong plane or mechanical problem? Don't know.
We have to wait at C3 for the plane to be cleaned. They have all nights to get a plane ready for us, and they didn't. I just wish they can get their act together. It seems like they have no real coordinator.
on October 23, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply
How is it possible, before every plane takes off there are number of announcements, cabin door check, without FAs how the plane took off, this is too much, please remember again
on October 25, 2009 1:07 AM | Reply
I was on that flight. The passengers were told nothing.
on October 25, 2009 1:13 AM | Reply
See cth's comments. Those are correct. I didn't trust United, so once it was clear we were back at Dulles for the night, I rebooked my own next day travel onward from Tokyo.
on October 25, 2009 9:42 AM | Reply
Come on, how is it possible, what about the safty instruction, demo and door lock, automatic and cross check.