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Plane in holding pattern takes side trip around Mt. Rainier
An Alaska Airlines pilot stuck in a holding pattern due to fog at Sea-Tac Airport near Seattle on Tuesday decided to take the monotony out of the delay by getting clearance to circle Mount Rainier as a treat for his passengers. Flight 401 from Las Vegas was forced to travel in a circle over Lewis County south of the airport before its pilot took the side trip around the highest mountain in the Cascade Range, as reported by KOMO and the Seattle PI. (www.msn.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
My airline had a daily flight to Maui from one of its Mainland hubs, weather permitting, most crews would fly the unofficial company "Haleakala Visual" before proceeding to the airport for landing. There were a couple other unoffficial company visual procedures. (Over time the bean counters had the company amend the FOM to prohibit manuevering for the sole purpose of passenger sightseeing). ATC would clear us to "descend VFR maintain at or above 12,000 feet (volcano is just over 10,000' AGL), manuever at pilot's discreation, advise when ready to proceed to the airport". After the 360, it would be back to flying as usual, cleared direct to a fix for the arrival. Passengers loved it and the bonus for the flying pilot was doing a modified pylon turn in a B767 at 1,500'-2,000' above the peak.
It looks like he was on the racetrack a dozen times or so, and the extended loop was around lap 8. Even the legume enumerators can't claim he was wasting fuel which they would see as stealing from shareholder equity.
Much appreciate a company person giving us a greater perspective with an inside story.
THANKS 30WEST!
THANKS 30WEST!
When I was driving a DC10, wx and winds permitting,departing SEA I would do a half circle East of Mt St Helens after it exploded here in Washington State...then climb and head for LAX and SAN.
Love the actual details of an actual, outside-the-box DC-10 Captain.
So good to hear of such an excellent commercial airline professional taking customer satisfaction to steller levels.
Certainly many passengers told the story of their wonderful experience on your aircraft to hundreds of other persons thanks you to Frederick.
BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!
So good to hear of such an excellent commercial airline professional taking customer satisfaction to steller levels.
Certainly many passengers told the story of their wonderful experience on your aircraft to hundreds of other persons thanks you to Frederick.
BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!
That would be a great side excursion around a dormant volcano.