Wow-scary

[minnie56]

This is why I am hesitant about some of the U.S airlines and their deep discounting...if they aren't making the revenue they need, where are they cutting the overhead?!?!?!?!

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/02/arizona.flight.diverted/index.html?hpt=C1

I am flying SW in a few weeks and not feeling warm and fuzzy!

 

[LSmith]

Nowhere does it say that cost cutting measures or deep discounts were responsible for what happened to the plane.

In fact, according to Wikipedia: “The 737 is operated by more than 500 airlines, flying to 1,200 destinations in 190 countries. With over 8,000 aircraft ordered, over 6,000 delivered, and over 4,500 still in service, at any given time there are on average 1,250 airborne worldwide. On average, somewhere in the world, a 737 takes off or lands every five seconds. Since entering service in 1968, the 737 has carried over 12 billion passengers over 120 billion km, and has accumulated more than 296 million hours in the air. The 737 represents more than 25% of the worldwide fleet of large commercial jet airliners.”

Boeing is looking into the cause and until there are solid answers I wouldn’t automatically assume cost cutting factors by Southwest are to blame.

In other words, until we know differently, it is possible that this could have happened on any carrier.

My cousin flies for Westjet and you would be shocked at the stories he has about his own company and their fleet of aircraft.

Also, Westjet and Air Canada regularly have discount seat sales that are in line with the American discount airlines. The only difference in price being the enormous Canadian tax.

 

[minnie56]

Oh I have total faith in the aircraft the 737 having more than stood the test of time...and AC might cost cut too with the exception of taxes but at least some hefty executive class fares and cargo can supplement their daily income nicely!

I just feel that U.S airlines aren't governed as dilligently as Canadian carriers and when they are charging some of the ridiculous fares how is it possible to pay their staff, get well qualified crew, pay exorbinant fuel costs AND pay for maintenance on an ever aging fleet??

I hope hope hope I am so wrong!

 

[minnie56]

Thing about SW aircraft as well is they have older 737's and the bulk of their flights are short haul..up and down up and down..pressurizing-depressurizing over and over which stresses the fuselage. WJ have much newer aircraft...but if they are also taking risks then I will take them off the short list too!

 

[HamiHarri]

yikes!

 

[connorsmom911]

My sister texted me about this today, and I explained to her that the 737's are used by plenty of airlines. Plus, I'd be more inclined to fly with the airline that recently grounded and inspected their planes, rather than the airlines that haven't yet!

 

[dis_guy]

Thing about SW aircraft as well is they have older 737's and the bulk of their flights are short haul..up and down up and down..pressurizing-depressurizing over and over which stresses the fuselage. WJ have much newer aircraft...but if they are also taking risks then I will take them off the short list too!

The repeated cycling of the pressurization system over many, many short-haul flights is indeed the cause here. Nearly all of the "old" 737s have long been retired/sold off due to their extremely bad fuel consumption. Boeing engineers will have this nailed down with some inspection procedures soon if they haven't already. I'd imagine the other manufacturers building jets for similar mission profiles will come up with something similar. Southwest are now having maintenance/repair work done in El Salvador. Not sure if that is significant.

Edited to add that I'd not hesitate to fly any 737 today. Some people panic because of one incident, then go get into their cars with bald tires and worn brakes! Where's the real risk?

 

[minnie56]

I agree that right now knowing they are checking aircraft by aircraft one at a time makes me feel a little better...but this isn't the 1st time SW have had issues so for me, I think until they get some new equipment, I will not be flying them!

 

[tone.def]

According to the Twitter-verse, Air Canada has a similar problem Sunday on a flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Toronto... an engine died and caught fire
http://twitter.com/#!/redneckmommy

Not just the US airlines.

 

[minnie56]

Heck airplanes can have engine problems...but a HOLE in the plane caused by a crack!!! Whole different thing...and they have found cracks in some subsequent aircraft as well.

Too many aging aircraft out there in the U.S carriers and obviously they aren't being maintained.

 

[LSmith]

I just feel that U.S airlines aren't governed as dilligently as Canadian carriers and when they are charging some of the ridiculous fares how is it possible to pay their staff, get well qualified crew, pay exorbinant fuel costs AND pay for maintenance on an ever aging fleet??

I hope hope hope I am so wrong!

Curious to know why you think that the US airlines aren't governed as diligently as the Canadian airlines. Everything that I can find online suggests that the two countries have almost identical aviation safety regulations.

Southwest is one of the most lucrative airlines in the world in terms of profit so they certainly have the funds to pay their staff, get qualified crew and pay for maintenance for their carriers. You certainly could question whether or not they use this money to do so but where is the evidence to show that WestJet or Air Canada is doing that?

Air Canada and WestJet have had many flights with emergency landings due to mechanical problems. A quick Google search will confirm that.

It would be interesting to see if Air Canada and WestJet grounded their carriers for that kind of inspection what would be found.

 

[minnie56]

I KNOW that Canadian regulations are more stringent. I feel better about that.

Well, SW may be a profitable organization and partly because of outsourcing maintenanace and it bothers me that it took an almost disasterous incident for the FAA to take a look at some of their fleet!!!!

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-southwest-safety-20110405,0,3395340.story

Mechanical problems are very different than a fatigued aircraft!

 

[LSmith]

I KNOW that Canadian regulations are more stringent. I feel better about that.

How do you know? It is helpful to back up this statement with some facts so those who are reading this can make informed decisions.

 

[minnie56]

How do you know? It is helpful to back up this statement with some facts so those who are reading this can make informed decisions.

I worked in the airline industry for many years.
I have many family members and many many friends that are in the industry today. Some are Aircraft Engineers some are Pilots. Dinner last night with a good friend who is an AC Capt on the A330. He and my husband were very much into what the inside information is on this and aviation in general. It goes in by osmosis I guess.

 

[LSmith]

I worked in the airline industry for many years.
I have many family members and many many friends that are in the industry today. Some are Aircraft Engineers some are Pilots. Dinner last night with a good friend who is an AC Capt on the A330. He and my husband were very much into what the inside information is on this and aviation in general. It goes in by osmosis I guess.

I also have friends and family in the Canadian airline industry. They have lots to say about the airlines that they fly for. Not all is good.

At the end of the day though, these are second hand opinions, not facts.

 

[minnie56]

Agreed, but some are also privy to some insider facts that you and I are not!

My husband first learned to fly in the U.K. He has always held Canadian Aviation standards in the highest regard.

I am basing my views on what I know..and what I am comfortable with. All any of us can do really.Be as informed as we can be.

 

[Tantor]

Agreed, but some are also privy to some insider facts that you and I are not!

My husband first learned to fly in the U.K. He has always held Canadian Aviation standards in the highest regard.

I am basing my views on what I know..and what I am comfortable with. All any of us can do really.Be as informed as we can be.

 

[aristocat65]

I KNOW that Canadian regulations are more stringent. I feel better about that.

Well, SW may be a profitable organization and partly because of outsourcing maintenanace and it bothers me that it took an almost disasterous incident for the FAA to take a look at some of their fleet!!!!

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-southwest-safety-20110405,0,3395340.story

Mechanical problems are very different than a fatigued aircraft!

Interesting article! A 737-300 is a VERY old plane and it makes sense that the heavy use on short haul flights is very hard on the aircraft. We usually end up flying Alaska Airlines and I think their oldest planes are 737-400's and there are very few of them - I've never ended up on one.

As far as the offshore maintenance, this seem to be a trend. I remember reading an article about all the many airlines that have offshore maintenance centers. I don't really have a problem with that aside from the jobs lost here.