BELFAST AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL
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Why is it that when a flight to our jewel in the crown airport, BHD, has an emergency, they need to divert to that hole in the back of nowhere, BFS? Surely it must be an awful experience for passengers having to jump out of a plane in an emergency into the awful facilities at Bfs?
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Has anyone saw that bloke Quintin Oliver giving off about how the emergency was handled by the airport. What planet is that guy on ?
Does Mr Oliver think that the airport has dozens of staff milling around every day for the sole reason of dealing with an emergency. Yes the airport fire and rescue service are there for that and are the first response. However they are not there to get passengers from the scene of the incident over to the nice warm terminal, their primary objective is to ensure there is no risk of fire or danger to life.
Mr Oliver was rattling on about how it took X amount of minutes for the police to arrive, X amount of minutes for catering etc. I think he needs to understand that a plan of action takes a bit of time. The airport had less than 10 minutes notice that there was an emergency, at this point communications would have to be relayed to staff who I'm sure are scattered throughout quite a large site doing their normal day to day duties to ensure safe and smooth running of normal operations.
When an emergency occurs an airport does not say "right everyone out" and close it's doors. It still has a duty of care for the people and passengers who are in the building and the airlines it serves, it cannot divert ALL it's resources to those involved in the emergency. However I would think that the situation would be closely monitored by the airport and the level of response would be decided upon accordingly.
If I had have been on that flight I wouldn't be complaining about having to stand out on the runway for a while on a rainy evening or having to wait for a bit of food to arrive.
At the end of the day everyone was safe and got home without major injury and I would like to congratulate the flybe crew and all the staff at BIA for a job well done !
As for Quintin Oliver and his expected "5 Star service" I'm sure a day at Antrim A&E would open his eyes.
Maybe if he is unfortunate enough to be involved in any kind of emergency situation again he can call for a private emergency response team that can see to him personally, give him a 5 star service and make sure he is home in time for his dinner !!
Does Mr Oliver think that the airport has dozens of staff milling around every day for the sole reason of dealing with an emergency. Yes the airport fire and rescue service are there for that and are the first response. However they are not there to get passengers from the scene of the incident over to the nice warm terminal, their primary objective is to ensure there is no risk of fire or danger to life.
Mr Oliver was rattling on about how it took X amount of minutes for the police to arrive, X amount of minutes for catering etc. I think he needs to understand that a plan of action takes a bit of time. The airport had less than 10 minutes notice that there was an emergency, at this point communications would have to be relayed to staff who I'm sure are scattered throughout quite a large site doing their normal day to day duties to ensure safe and smooth running of normal operations.
When an emergency occurs an airport does not say "right everyone out" and close it's doors. It still has a duty of care for the people and passengers who are in the building and the airlines it serves, it cannot divert ALL it's resources to those involved in the emergency. However I would think that the situation would be closely monitored by the airport and the level of response would be decided upon accordingly.
If I had have been on that flight I wouldn't be complaining about having to stand out on the runway for a while on a rainy evening or having to wait for a bit of food to arrive.
At the end of the day everyone was safe and got home without major injury and I would like to congratulate the flybe crew and all the staff at BIA for a job well done !
As for Quintin Oliver and his expected "5 Star service" I'm sure a day at Antrim A&E would open his eyes.
Maybe if he is unfortunate enough to be involved in any kind of emergency situation again he can call for a private emergency response team that can see to him personally, give him a 5 star service and make sure he is home in time for his dinner !!
Last edited by ILS25; 19th Dec 2014 at 12:39.
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The guy who is the mouthing off about the quality of his rescue is getting an absolute kicking on twitter from a few people. Saw the video of the rescue vehicle they use for gatheruing passengers bit difficult to miss.
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Hi everyone
Interested in this topic as family member involved.
One thing I don't really understand is Why the plane didn't carry on into city airport?
Is it about not flying an under-powered plane over a populated approach or is there some other reason for switching to Aldegrove?
Only too glad on this occasion things turned out as well as they did. Pilots to be praised for that.
Interested in this topic as family member involved.
One thing I don't really understand is Why the plane didn't carry on into city airport?
Is it about not flying an under-powered plane over a populated approach or is there some other reason for switching to Aldegrove?
Only too glad on this occasion things turned out as well as they did. Pilots to be praised for that.
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Hi
See previous post about brakes etc
I am also confused as I believe it would be shorter distance to BHD, and that the plane would have been flying over belfast lough and not overland as it had to do
Unless Captain felt that there were other issues regarding the plane that it needed a longer runway rather than engine fire.
If as happened diverted, would LDY have been shorter distance to fly?
Surprised that no shutes for near doors of the Dash8. Five foot jump for a young fit pax maybe ok, but someone older must have been daunting
However glad all made it off plane without injuries. Well done to pilot and cabin crew
See previous post about brakes etc
I am also confused as I believe it would be shorter distance to BHD, and that the plane would have been flying over belfast lough and not overland as it had to do
Unless Captain felt that there were other issues regarding the plane that it needed a longer runway rather than engine fire.
If as happened diverted, would LDY have been shorter distance to fly?
Surprised that no shutes for near doors of the Dash8. Five foot jump for a young fit pax maybe ok, but someone older must have been daunting
However glad all made it off plane without injuries. Well done to pilot and cabin crew
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Regarding diverting emergencies.
Just a few random thoughts,
The person who decides where the aircraft goes in the first instance is the commander.
This will be based on quite a few factors which may include (but are not limited to),
The urgency of the situation.Does it HAVE to land at the nearest airfield?The nearest may NOT necessarily be the most suitable,
Can the aircraft maintain altitude?
Is the aircraft controllable (that is to say flyable)?
The runways at EGAA are longer than those at the City.
There is a choice of FOUR directions versus TWO .
The aircraft commander will know what aircraft systems are impacted (hydraulics, approach speeds,brakes) and whether or not the aircraft could accept a short runway with the prevailing weather conditions.
Basically there is more to the choice of airport than simple track miles.
Finally......MUCH better ATC at BFS
Just a few random thoughts,
The person who decides where the aircraft goes in the first instance is the commander.
This will be based on quite a few factors which may include (but are not limited to),
The urgency of the situation.Does it HAVE to land at the nearest airfield?The nearest may NOT necessarily be the most suitable,
Can the aircraft maintain altitude?
Is the aircraft controllable (that is to say flyable)?
The runways at EGAA are longer than those at the City.
There is a choice of FOUR directions versus TWO .
The aircraft commander will know what aircraft systems are impacted (hydraulics, approach speeds,brakes) and whether or not the aircraft could accept a short runway with the prevailing weather conditions.
Basically there is more to the choice of airport than simple track miles.
Finally......MUCH better ATC at BFS
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Thank you v much - appreciate the feedback.
Is it a silly question to ask then - if the airport at aldergrove hadn't been available to take the flight in these circumstances what would have happened then?
Is it a silly question to ask then - if the airport at aldergrove hadn't been available to take the flight in these circumstances what would have happened then?
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Blues EVERYONE is East of me these days .
So far as EGAA not being available that's a moot point. If something is not available then whatever is left will be considered by the aircraft commander.
So far as EGAA not being available that's a moot point. If something is not available then whatever is left will be considered by the aircraft commander.