Originally Posted by
dc9-32
Do FR crews depart with less fuel than what the plog states ? Just curious because if they didn't, there would be no need to declare "mayday" due to lack of fuel unless there was a fuel tank/pump malfunction or the crew were holding for more time than company SOP etc.
In my day, it was common practice to take more fuel than what the plog stated, not less or the exact amount.
All 3 took more than plog fuel. All 3 diverted above the minimum stated on plog for diversion plus final reserve. It was the delays getting into Valencia that required the need for Maydays. Whether or not they should have accounted for the expected delays in diverting is the question.