No updates for a while

I will be unable to update this blog until at least late Jan. (more likely early/mid Feb.), but I promise that in time I'll make it up to everyone.I will be unable to update this blog until at least late Jan. (more likely early/mid Feb.), but I promise that in time I'll make it up to everyone.

Hydraulic Line Bursts on United Airlines 777-200

A United Airlines Boeing 777-200 flying from from Washington Dulles to Munich (UA 902) on Dec. 15-16 burst a hydraulics line in its nose gear as it landed in Munich.

Source: Incident: United Airlines B772 at Munich on Dec 16th 2009, hydraulics leak

Hydraulics Problem Forces United Express Jet to Return to Grand Rapids, MI, Airport

Apparently a hydraulics problems forced a United Express jet to return to Grand Rapids, MI, on or about December 4:

The landing occurred a day after a reported hydraulic problem forced a United Airlines regional jet to return to the airport in Kent County's Cascade Township [i.e. GRR -- Grand Rapids, MI]. That jet with 39 passengers landed safely Friday afternoon.

Source: Plane from Minn. with flap problem lands in Mich.

NPR: Who's Piloting Your Plane?

NPR discussion concerning inadequate disclosure of usage of regional airlines when you book tickets with a mainline airline. United Express is cited as an example.

Source: Who's Piloting Your Plane?

Woman Sues after Luggage Falls on Foot

A woman is suing United Airlines for injuries suffered when luggage fell from an overhead bin onto her foot:

Stephanie Sheehan says she was on a United flight between Seattle and Chicago on Nov. 27, 2007 when she was struck by "a large and heavy piece of luggage." Sheehan said the overhead bin was "overloaded and unsafe" and she blames United employees for failing to inspect it. She's seeking more than $30,000 from United.

Source: Woman sues United, says luggage fell on foot

Near Collision Between United Express Jet & Frontier Airlines Plane

On November 23 there was a near collision between a United Express jet and a Frontier Airlines plane as they were approaching Denver:

The incident happened on Nov. 23 around 7 a.m. as the two jets were approaching Denver International Airport. One of the planes, United Express flight 6764 from Lincoln, Neb., operated by regional airline Skywest, was in a string of planes following a set path heading to the airport. The other plane, Frontier flight 1539 from Omaha, operated by parent airline Republic, was flying along a parallel path. Controllers needed to put the Frontier jet into the same route as the United Express plane to line them up for landing.... Controllers gave the Frontier pilots an incorrect heading -- forcing them to make a U-turn, the source told KMGH. That put the jet right in the path of the United Express plane -- which was just 200 feet above it and only a little more than a mile-and-a-half away, closing quickly, just seconds apart.

Source: Nightmare in the Skies: Two Planes Just Miss Collision

Hydraulics Problems on United Airlines A320

A United Airlines A320 flying from Kansas City on November 21 declared an emergency and landed safely at Denver after one of its three hydraulics systems failed. It was towed off the runway.

Source: United Airlines plane lands safely after hydraulic problems

Cabin Pressure Problem on United Airline A320

A United Airlines A320 flying from New York La Guardia to Denver (UA 745) on November 14 descended to 10,000 feet and diverted to Rochester "when the crew received a cabin pressure indication".

Source: Incident: United Airlines A320 near New York on Nov 14th 2009, cabin pressure problem

Icing Problems with United Airlines 777-200 Engine

A United Airline 777-200 flying from Beijing to Chicago (UA 850) onjavascript:void(0) November 8 made an emergency landing at Tokyo's Narita airport "after an anti-ice system in the right hand engine failed still in Russian air space".

Sources:

Incident: United Airlines B772 over Russia on Nov 8th 2009, engine anti-ice problem

UAL jet has emergency landing

[Wonder if this is the known problem with icing in Roll Royce Trent engines in the 777s?]

Flight Attendant Falsely Accuses Passenger of Having Swine Flu

A United Airlines passenger & her child were kicked off a United Airlines flight after flight attendants falsely accused her of having swine flu:

"I took the wrong medication at the wrong time so my stomach reacted, and I sat down on the plane and got sick," said Mostoufi. So she asked one of the United Airlines flight attendants for a motion sickness bag. "And she said oh do you have the flu? No. Do you have a fever? No. What's wrong? My stomach hurts. What if I had something bad to eat?" said Mostoufi.

Mitra went to the restroom and says when she came out... "They come out in the plane screaming get your belongings, let's go let's go, you're a health risk, you're sick. And I'm going what?" said Mostoufi. The Mostoufis were escorted off the plane.

"I was very angry, embarrassed in front of everybody," said Mostoufi.

Sources:

Flu Fears Get Woman Kicked Off Flight

Your rights when flying sick

Crew Boots Woman From Flight In H1N1 Scare

Swine flu challenges airlines

[#1: Do not discuss your medical history or situation with a flight attendant, ever!

#2: UA was right to to remove the passengers for evaluation, but it should have been done much more discretion and tact and without any specific diagnoses being made on the part of the flight attendant.]

Update as of Dec. 19, 2009, from UA Compensates Passenger Kicked Off Flight:

UA has offered to compensate the passenger, although the passenger is still protesting:

In an effort to amend the situation, the airlines offered the Mostoufis two $400 travel vouchers. "I don't need this. This is not an answer to what I wrote. This is not what I expected," Mostoufi said. Rather than a free flight, Mostoufi said what she wants is the promise what happened to her will never happen again. "The next person that sits in the plane and has a stomachache does no need to be accused of having something contagious," said Mostoufi. Instead, she said she wants the Federal Aviation Administration to require the airlines to justify their accusations before forcing a passenger off.

[Suggestion, Ms. Mostoufi: Take the vouchers & run. It's all you're likely to get. UA could have handled it better, but that's history at this point.]

United Airlines Denies Best Buy VP Upgrade Citing Bogus Dress Code

A Best Buy VP flying from Washington, D.C., to Connecticut last month was not allowed to use his miles to buy an upgrade to first class because he was wearing a tracksuit.

There is no dress code for paying customers!

Source: Airline Agent Denies Man Seat for Fashion Choice

United Airlines Pilot Fails Alcohol Test at London Heathrow

A United Airlines pilot about to fly a 767 from London Heathrow to Chicago on Monday, November 9, was arrested after he failed a breath test.

Sources:

Pilot arrested on drink charge
Pilot Arrested Before Flight On Drinking Charges
Pilot Arrested Before Flight On Drinking Charges
United Pilot Arrested Before Flying Drunk to Chicago
Pilot about to fly from London to Chicago was allegedly drunk
UA pilot charged with being over alcohol limit
UK Police: Suspect drunk pilot stopped at Heathrow
United Airlines suspends allegedly drunken pilot
'Drunk' pilot is held at Heathrow
United pilot arrested on drinking charges just before London-Chicago flight

Drunk United Airlines pilot pulled off plane minutes before departure
'Drunk' pilot is held at Heathrow
United pilot on London-to-Chicago route drunk, police say
Pilot stopped, allegedly drunk, just before flying to Chicago
UA pilot charged with being over alcohol limit
Drunk United Airlines pilot arrested at Heathrow airport
Pilot arrested before takeoff on alcohol charges
Heathrow pilot faces drink charge
'Boozing' pilot held on plane
Drunk pilot arrested before flight

UA pilot charged with being over alcohol limit
Pilot Accused of Exceeding Alcohol Limit
Pilot charged with drinking before takeoff
United Air Pilot Charged in London After Failing Alcohol Test
Pilot charged after UK airport arrest
Pilot charged with being drunk
UA pilot charged with being over alcohol limit
United Airlines pilot arrested over drink suspicions
Drunk pilot arrested at Heathrow
Alleged drunken pilot arrested in London

United Airlines pilot faces alcohol charges
'Drunk' pilot arrested at Heathrow minutes before flight was due to take off
United Airlines pilot faces drink charge
Police Arrest Suspected Drunk Pilot
Lakewood pilot on United flight arrested in Britain, accused of being over alcohol limit
Airline pilot arrested for being drunk
Pilot charged after airport arrest
Pilot Charged After Heathrow Booze Arrest
Drunk pilot arrested
Pilot Accused After Arrest at Airport

Drunk pilot arrested and charged at Heathrow
Heathrow pilot charged with being drunk
Drunk United Airlines pilot arrested at Heathrow
United suspends ‘drunk’ pilot
Heathrow Pilot Faces 'Drunk' Charge
Pilot charged with being over alcohol limit
Allegedly Drunk United Airlines Pilot to Be Tried in London
United Airlines pilot charged with drinking right before takeoff
Co-Workers Called Cops on Drunk United Airlines Pilot
United pilot charged with being over alcohol limit

Drunk United Airlines pilot stopped at Heathrow airport
United suspends alleged "drunken" pilot
Drunk pilot arrested at London airport just prior to flight to Chicago
Another U.S. pilot is accused of enjoying British drink
United Pilot Pulled Out of Cockpit Charged With Alcohol Violation
Alcohol Pilot's Arrest Proves System Worked, This Time
United Airlines pilot charged with being drunk
United pilot accused of being drunk on the job
Erwin Washington, Drunk United Pilot From Lakewood, Arrested In London

Pilot Arrested in Plane for Being Drunk
Clarification: London arrest in pilot drinking
Consuming Interests: Another pilot behaving badly
Allegedly drunk pilot arrested for failing breathalyzer minutes before flight leaves airport (video)
World in brief: Pilot hit with drinking charge
United Airlines Pilot Charged With Being Over Alcohol Limit
Pilot who failed breathalyzer has ties to Portland
Spate of airline pilot mishaps triggers concerns: Latest incident involves United Airlines pilot arrested in London on alcohol charge just before flight
Aviation: United pilot arrested at LHR
United pilot arrested on drinking charges just before London-Chicago flight

United pilot charged with being over alcohol limit
Alcohol tests catch 11 pilots a year
Pilot From Colorado Arrested For Being Allegedly Too Drunk To Fly
Pilot charged with being over alcohol limit to return home
United Pilot Arrested By Scotland Yard
Accused Lakewood pilot could face prison in U.K.
PILOT WAS FLYING HIGH
Drunken pilot the latest in growing list
Pilot pulled after failing breath test
Trouble Brews for Yank Pilots Across Pond

United Airlines A320 Diverts to Orlando with Engine Problems

A United Airlines A320 flying from San Juan to Chicago (UA 645) diverted to Orlando, FL, on October 31 due to engine problems.

Source: United Airlines Flight Diverted To Orlando

First They Trash His Guitar, Now They Lose His Suitcase

Dave Carroll, whose trashed guitar inspired the viral video "United Breaks Guitars", has now had a suitcase lost (and found 3 days later) by United Airlines:

Three days later, United discovered that the wayward bag filled with his music gear had been sent to Dallas instead of Colorado. "It is regrettable," said United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski. Carroll, who was reunited Wednesday with his bag, is close to wrapping up the last in a trilogy of songs about his interactions with United. Suppose the latest episode will make its way into the lyrics?

Sources:

Musician can add lost bag to United ditty

United Song Guy Still Can't Catch a Break

United loses guitar man's luggage

The guitar guy and United Airlines, round two

Airline baggage handlers provide more grist for songwriter's mill: Carroll endures luggage fiasco--again

United loses the "United Breaks Guitars" Song Guy's bags

United Airlines Employee Sues for Dead Rat in Cup

A United Airlines employee has sue for discrimination claiming a dead rat was placed in her cup:

Eleanor Solsberry, an African American woman, started working as a ramp service agent for United in June of 2000, according to the suit filed in U.S. District court. In 2008, Solsberry’s Caucasian coworker allegedly began harassing her about her race, the suit alleges. In one instance, the coworker placed a dead rat in Solsberry’s cup. When Solsberry spoke to her supervisor about the incident—after the coworker admitted that “the rat was intended” for Solsberry—he allegedly told her he did not consider the rat incident a form of discrimination.

Source: Dead rat in her cup, woman sues employer for racial harassment

More Fees, More Losses

Industry observers appear to be concluding that the airlines that charge the most fees keep losing more and more money as they drive their customers away. The latest from Jaunted:

... the airlines who lost the most money last quarter were those with most fees. Topping the list of the losers is United with a 21% drop. They changed their checked bag fee policies a few times last year, finally ending with $15 for your first checked bag and $25 for your second. Other losers include Continental and Delta and American, who each dropped between 18.8 and 15% of revenue and have the same baggage fee structure as United. Reasons for the drop in revenue run the gamut of the usual airline excuses, but our guess is that higher fees are driving travelers to book away from these airlines and onto ones with fewer or lower fees. For instance, flying Jetblue versus United to United's home base of Chicago saves you a first checked bag fee, not to mention some dough with the original ticket price.

Source: Baggage Fees Don't Pay For Airlines Who Bleed Money Anyway

Hydraulics Problems on United Airlines A320

A United Airlines A320 (UA 95) flying from Newark to San Francisco on Oct. 30 had problems with its hydraulics systems over Iowa and Kansas:

... and diverted to Kansas City some 210nm southsouthwest of their position. The airplane landed safely 50 minutes after the decision to divert. A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration N483UA reached San Francisco with a delay of 4.5 hours. The FAA said, that the crew reported a hydraulics problem.

Source: Incident: United Airlines A320 near Des Moines on Oct 30th 2009, hydraulics problem

United Airlines 757 Has Engine Problems

A United Airlines 757-200 (UA 177) flying from Boston to San Francisco on Oct. 27 returned Boston with engine problems:

... the crew reported they needed to return to Boston without requesting priority due to an engine thus not developing full power and running down and up. The crew levelled off at 3000 feet. While intercepting the localizer runway 04R the crew declared emergency reporting some "minor engine surges". The airplane landed safely on runway 04R 40 minutes after departure and taxied to the apron.

Source: Incident: United Airlines B752 at Boston on Oct 27th 2009, engine problems

United Airlines 747 Scrapes Engine Pod on Runway

A United Airlines 747-400 (UA 882) flying from Bangkok to Tokyo (NRT) on Oct. 25 apparently scraped an engine pod on the runway when it landed at Tokyo:

A postflight inspection revealed damage to the underside of the #4 (outer right) engine cowling. A runway inspection was requested and revealed a scrape mark of about 9.5 meters on the runway surface. The crew reported, they were not aware that the engine pod had contacted the runway.

Source: Incident: United Airlines B744 at Tokyo on Oct 25th 2009, engine pod strike

United Airline's Efforts to Upgrade Its Fleet

Despite its dire financial position, United Airlines has been trying to replace many (perhaps hundreds) of it current planes, and apparently they were hoping for manna from heaven to assist with the financing:

The carrier initially "sought terms that were considered ridiculous by many, particularly given United's own financial condition and the existing backlogs at Airbus and Boeing," Leeham news reported. "Industry sources said UA wanted the winning manufacturer to buy the 767s and 757s at above market valuations and lease them back at below market rental rates; to finance 100 percent of the new airplanes; and require no downpayment or progress payments."

Source: United Airlines nearing decision on Boeing or Airbus order