Arriving Tuesday and Thunderstorms-SCARED

[DWvirgin]

I am a wimpy flyer. We had a bad flight home from St lucia a few years ago and since then I have been in panic mode about flights. Even tiny turbulance gets me worked up.

Tuesday we are suppose to go to Orlando. They are calling for thunderstorms there all am. Our flight gets in at 12 05. Chances are that they will delay the flight a bit to avoid landing in orlando in a thunderstorm, right?

I am just terrified at the idea that we may have to land in thunder... someone reassure me that likely they will delay the flights and all will be just fine.

 

[OKW Lover]

Please don't stress about this. The airlines are well accustomed to flying to/from Orlando and the weather conditions there. They will not place you in danger.

If there is a delay, it will most likely be brief since the thunderstorms in central Florida typically are quick moving and affect only a small area for a short time.

 

[Detailor]

Most commercial airlines try to avoid flying through a thunderstorm but they occasionally have no choice. While airplanes are occasionally struck by lightning, lightning protection technology prevents both damage to the planes and danger to crew and passengers. Commercial aircrafts are protected from lightning damage by keeping the lighting current isolated in the outer skin of the airplane.

So the first line of defense will be to land once a lightning storm has moved out but if there's no other choice then they'll land the plane knowing that the technology will protect lives and equipment.

While I can understand your nervousness, please rest assured that your airline is performing with safety foremost in mind.

Dick Taylor

 

[backyardponder]

They will not fly through the actual thunderstorm due to the strong up and down drafts. They may come close and you may see the storm or hear the thunder, but you will not be in it and will be safe. Every commercial flight has weather radar on board. The antenna is behind that small cone in the very nose of the airplane.

It might be a bit bumpy, but you'll be just fine.

John

 

[dis_guy]

The pps are correct, your crew will not fly into a thunderstorm. Think of it this way, the plane can fly into MCO from any direction which gives the pilots 360 choices on getting you there. Worst case, you'll be delayed or diverted. Sometimes a storm will sit right over the airport which will shut it down for a time.

On one flight from Orlando to Denver we flew right between two storms, the lightning shows were spectacular (before sunrise) but the ride was as smooth as silk while all the planes around us were in moderate turbulence.

Relax and enjoy your flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

We landed at MCO one time with an incredibly beautiful thunderstorm off in the distance....just beautiful.
You won't fly through one though. But...I doubt you need to worry about it too much. Keep in mind that planes are made for turbulance. No need to worry about that at all. I know, I know..easy to say. I'm not crazy about it either. But, it's just not that big a deal.