N.O.D
To quote Antigua:
'.....we not have enough fuel to divert to ANYWHERE, but we don’t necessarily have enough fuel to do a go-around AT ALL, even a truncated one. Did you know that? '
Come on Nigel!WHO ultimately lets it get to that state?Going round in circles 'till you've no options!!! Being MOR'd doesn't worry him he says,well neither does running out of fuel it seems.But he's been doing it for so long that he can see the future and he just 'knows' that its safe.
Allowing a 747 or indeed even a Cherokee to get to this position is to me, incredible.If I was in the back of the thing knowing that was the case I would be very unimpressed, to say the least.
The Boeing I fly gives a 'LOW FUEL' warning at around 45 mins worth which is about half an hours holding fuel plus a Go around plus quick vectored circuit.The circumstances described above are way below that.
You needed some suggestions:
1)Carry more fuel.
2) Divert to LGW,STN,EMA,BHX,MAN,GLA,PIK or a bunch of others if delays are too long.(if there is holding at all the above you should never have got airborne!)
3)Say 'Pan' well before getting to the state in the opening quote.
4)Say 'Mayday'shortly afterwards if it aint happening.
5)Search in vain for the handle between your legs!!!!
What's the point in having years of experience and tons of knowledge if you ignore it all to 'follow the policy' straight into a field?