View Full Version : Captain diverts and orders purser off the aircraft
United Airlines two days ago. (http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/unusual-attitude/)
Dawdler
16th Jul 2009, 16:27
Must have been a pretty serious "Customer Service Issue" to interrupt a seven hour flight.
silverware
16th Jul 2009, 19:17
The purser told the captain that is wasn't a pretty Brazilian girl last night who gave him this body to body massage after a few to many drinks....
angels
17th Jul 2009, 06:57
I can see why people are treating this lightly, but isn't this pretty major?
A diversion costs big bucks. The purser will be stranded. The pax/crew will have been delayed. The plane won't be available for its next flight (if relevant).
Unless the purser was about to stab the pilot or something (did the police attend in Miami?) then surely the pilot is going to be in some very hot water?
indamiddle
17th Jul 2009, 07:57
next time the pursar won't forget the slice of lemon in the tea
silverware
17th Jul 2009, 09:03
Other than a deaththreat from the purser,a medical situation or alcohol/drug use, i can't think of ANYTHING why a captain would decide to do what was done.
And what about the company and F/O, did they all agree?
Diversions tend to be very costly, so it must be one hell of a reason.
jammydonut
17th Jul 2009, 09:13
A lovers spat perhaps:=
The Bartender
17th Jul 2009, 14:25
Picked this up from another forum:
This is all I am going to say about this incident:
The Purser of flight 842 was female. The Captain of the flight wanted the general declaration so he could add his signature to it. The Purser was not in a position to grab another flight attendant right at that moment to monitor the area so the gen dec could be passed through the cockpit door. The situation escalated.
The Captain made the decision to divert to MIA to have the Purser removed from flight for undermining his Captain's Authority. The First Officers on flight 842 advocated for MCO, since MIA is no longer served by UA Mainline. The Captain chose to divert to MIA anyway.
The Purser was removed from the flight upon arrival at MIA and sent to a layover hotel, followed by a deadhead back to ORD after required crew rest.
The ORD-GRU-ORD trip was the Captain's first trip back to the line after extended sick leave. The Captain has been removed from the remainder of his flying schedule. The Purser who was removed, has NOT been removed from the remainder of her flying schedule.
Draw your own conclusions...
RICCARDOVOLANTE
17th Jul 2009, 17:51
Captain his a captain .Many country around the world as issue for ATPL licensing without citizenship due to the legal power of the Captains.
If hierarchy is an issue well may be the job is not the right one for some people.
R.V.
apaddyinuk
18th Jul 2009, 19:40
Riccardo....WRONG!
Respect is a two way thing REGARDLESS OF RANK...With exception of some backward areas of the world (middle east, subcontinent etc) where I suppose one does have to just hump along!
wiggy
18th Jul 2009, 21:27
I agree, respect should be a two way thing, and on 99% of flights it is, but sadly on some rare occasions it doesn't work that way ....and that's when the problems start. Have to be one h*ll of a spat to justify a diversion though....
BTW what does "hump along" mean :E :E ?
Rgds
ArthurBorges
19th Jul 2009, 09:16
I'm sure he was referring to the little thingie on top of a dromedary that has to tag along for the ride day in day out.
Jesper
19th Jul 2009, 09:40
of course respect is a two way thing. But since no one here seems to know the fact of the situation, please pay the capt respect for his experience and his RANK! He is in charge of the aircraft and he will take what ever measures necessary. He will have to answer for his actions in a hearing and then we'll all know who to blaim for this.
I'm actually scared of everyone taking the pursers side, if the captain takes a decision and you don't know the reasons/facts you just have to roll with it.
capt.cynical
19th Jul 2009, 12:09
The broom is ready and the carpet is being lifted as we speak. :(:uhoh:
apaddyinuk
19th Jul 2009, 22:26
Jesper....
of course respect is a two way thing. But since no one here seems to know the fact of the situation, please pay the capt respect for his experience and his RANK!
I dont think we are actually commenting on this particular bit of scandal but on RiccardoVolante's post about demanding respect as a captain!!! LOL!
However yours is ever so slightly similar. Fair play to any captain who has done so well along the standard ladder climb that is the promotional path of the commercial pilot. They deserve respect just for that, however once a captain...OR ANYONE in a position of authority starts to abuse that (and I am including cabin crew members here...I have met far worse senior crew members then I have pilots) by making petty demands and throwing rank as their excuse and effecting the general flow of things as a result, they do not deserve respect, they deserve a severe boot up the arse!
And a real professional captain would never say "give respect because of rank" unless they had a severe chip on their shoulder or a serious personality complex!!!
Just my opinion however, as the son of a now retired very senior captain for a national carrier who genuinely earned the respect of all he flew with through being a decent and honest man!!