Controversy?

[beefhole]

I think the main problem is that they were in a holding pattern over the pacific for a while-this is what depleted their fuel.  From what I know, it's not really at all a problem for a 747 to cruise on 3, it's been done before without incident.

[commoner]

[quote]A 747 flew from LA to UK on 3 engines.

[Craig.]

[quote]I think the main problem is that they were in a holding pattern over the pacific for a while-this is what depleted their fuel.

[Ace_777]

O.k this is so seriously off topic but whats IMHO and PITA ?

[Hagar]

O.k this is so seriously off topic but whats IMHO and PITA ?

In My Humble Opinion & Pain In The Arse.

[C]

Unfortunately this is the perfect example of the cr*p that being thrown at us in the EU with these new compensation rules. BA were going to face a payout going in to hundreds of thousands of pounds if they cancelled the flight, which is why they had their little conference with London over LA, and figured they could safely make it to the UK. What worries me is that the commercial pressures forced upon the airlines by these regulations are going to mean these types of decisions are taken out of the aircrew's (Captain's) and made on the ground by someone with a calculator and without a Scooby of what's going on in the aeroplane.

This will be brough home to the idiots that came up with the regs when an aircraft crashes, and the report directly links a (corner cutting) decision with these new regulations. Of course, then the authorities will say it a one of a won't give a monkey.

Charlie

[Papa9571]

My guess if that happens is they will place the blame on the captain because he is  the final link in the chain and the one that is flying the airplane and making the decisions.

It's a catch-22 situation nowwith passenger saftey taking a backseat to profits.  

[C]

Yep, but they won't just stop at blaming the captain - they'd have to work out why he'd made the decision. From the pilot's point of view this raises the question - do you do what you're told or make your own decision, bearing in mind a BA 747 Captain's probably on the same amount on his salary as BA would have had to pay out in compensation...

[pete]

The same aircraft had it's engine replaced - then the same thing has happened again -
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/03 ... index.html

[TacitBlue]

It would have been a lot wierder if a 737 had flown across the country on 3 engines...  ;D

[Triple_7]

Well...It must be safe because Atkins says so


Strange place for an add to be...

Im still surprised they flew on 3 engines for that long of a flight.  If one engine goes, who says the others wont follow :-/

[Hagar]

Having flown on a 747 from Heathrow to Singapore & back I don't mind saying that I would be more than a little concerned to do it on 3 engines. I feel that this if this new EU regulation is causing safety to be risked it should be immediately revoked. The Captain should have the final decision based on his experience & judgement. That's what he's paid for. Cost, inconvenience & fear of being sued shouldn't come into it.

[C]

Exactly.

Likelyhood of European legilation being revoked? Erm, slightly less than the square root of Bu**er all... . They'll all sit back and get fat in their offices...

Charlie (thinking of extending commision to avoid airlines already - freight doesn't complain...)