BA diversion to St. Johns

[70 Mustang]

Just learned of a BA 777-200 that departed JFK headed for LGW but diverted to St. Johns due to an incapacitated pilot.

best I can see it happened March 14.

I’ve looked but cannot see any thread that applies.

Just curious as to the cause.

[Bksmithca]

Report from Aerotimes
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/british-airways-pilot-incapacitation-st-johns

[NoelEvans]

One simple question: Does anyone know the age of the pilot involved? (I'm not interested in any other 'personal' details, just the age.)

[70 Mustang]

I was on one flight from the states to Brussels and about halfway across there was a PA asking if there were any diabetics onboard. A bit later all the maps disappeared and one could feel the aircraft turning and in a few, the announcement that we were diverting to Montreal.

long night and day getting home to BRU.

ends up that the FO had forgotten his insulin.

just interested in learning the actual cause of this diversion. This forum has no hesitation about crashes and more dire events.

if this was discussed on this forum, where did it go?

[Flipster130]

I'm just hoping the pilot was ok....

[mustafagander]

F/O forgot his insulin. You've got to be joking!
I have been in the diabetes world for over 20 years helping raise one of my kids who is T1.Rule ! is carry your hypo food and spare insulin kit - insulin penfil + syringes - at ALL times. It is part of the protocol even for a drivers' license. Sheer negligence as I see it.

[FUMR]

F/O forgot his insulin. You've got to be joking!
I have been in the diabetes world for over 20 years helping raise one of my kids who is T1.Rule ! is carry your hypo food and spare insulin kit - insulin penfil + syringes - at ALL times. It is part of the protocol even for a drivers' license. Sheer negligence as I see it.

A little harsh and hasty. Might have left it at security.

[Doors to Automatic]

I didn’t think you could fly passengers with Type 1 diabetes. Have the rules changed?

[Peter H]

I didn’t think you could fly passengers with Type 1 diabetes. Have the rules changed?

Perhaps relevant:

UK somebody with type 1 and flying solo:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/tech-cant-wait/your-stories/chris
In the meantime, my girlfriend had done lots of research and found there were a number of pilots that were still flying with medicals who had type 1 diabetes. However, these pilots were commercial airline pilots so there’s always a minimum of two, sometimes four, pilots in the aircraft so they would have no problem getting their medical back as they’re not solo flying, and others are around in case of emergency.
...
It’s very different with the small aeroplanes (light aircraft) that I fly that have one engine. I am also a flying instructor, so when I’m instructing, I am pilot in command.
For his flying he has to do a blood test 30 min before flying. That seems a good time to double-check you have your full diabetes kit with you.

US airline pilot
https://www.alpa.org/news-and-events/air-line-pilot-magazine/health-watch-type-1-diabetes
However, the FAA announced a change in policy in late 2019, noting that it would begin allowing pilots with insulin-treated diabetes to apply for first- and second-class medical certificates.

[RatherBeFlying]

I normally offload metallic objects, jackets ad nauseum into the trays.

However at YVR the detector is ultra sensitive and security surprised me by asking me to put my passport and wallet into yet another tray, Once through I retrieved my trays, except guess which one.

Some half hour later when about to buy a coffee, I discovered passport and wallet missing and returned to security. It took a few tries to find a helpful security person who directed me to the office where they were holding my passport and wallet. Happily they were not scooped by the wrong people.

Note that there was no announcement asking me to report back to security:rolleyes:

Note to self: put passport and wallet in preferably zippered jacket or backpack.

[mustafagander]

FUMR
For a T1 diabetic these items are killer items. No T1 that I know would fail to check that they had them after security. It comes to mind easily coz so many airport security people are mighty difficult over carriage of syringes, this funny little machine (insulin pump) and this stuff in a penfil. It's not usually something they walk through absent mindedly.
That fact that carriage of these items and using them within a short time before flying is mandated under the terms of your Class 1 Medical tends to ensure that you have the kit available.
Hence I do not believe that I'm being either harsh nor hasty. You're playing for keeps here mate.

[MissChief]

I normally offload metallic objects, jackets ad nauseum into the trays.

However at YVR the detector is ultra sensitive and security surprised me by asking me to put my passport and wallet into yet another tray, Once through I retrieved my trays, except guess which one.

Some half hour later when about to buy a coffee, I discovered passport and wallet missing and returned to security. It took a few tries to find a helpful security person who directed me to the office where they were holding my passport and wallet. Happily they were not scooped by the wrong people.

Note that there was no announcement asking me to report back to security:rolleyes:

Note to self: put passport and wallet in preferably zippered jacket or backpack.

Security people in Canada (YVR and YYC particularly) can be over-zealous, to put it politely. Crew hated operating home to the UK from these airports. As did I.

[oceancrosser]

Security people in Canada (YVR and YYC particularly) can be over-zealous, to put it politely. Crew hated operating home to the UK from these airports. As did I.

Well, you can add the entire UK airport security staff to that complaint and Australia. Something in the water in the old Empire and some of the colonies?

[NoelEvans]

One simple question: Does anyone know the age of the pilot involved? (I'm not interested in any other 'personal' details, just the age.)
Does anyone know the answer?