Goaround in ATH becomes news story
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Had one/two into KEF a few years back... that is, on long final, storm cell over the field, boss decides to do an orbit. Not really sure what to call it, I think we were established but still quite a way out. 10 mins or so later, closer in, flaps halfway set but gear not down, storm cell hadn't really moved so spooled up & went round. Boss then just said that there was a storm cell over the field which was moving slowly and he preferred to just fly off for 20 mins or so until it had cleared the runway and that we had plenty of juice so we could stay up a while longer if necessary. Greased one on about 15 mins later.
Clear, concise, authoritative & made it clear he had safety first. No-one I could see looked at all worried. It's all in the delivery.
Clear, concise, authoritative & made it clear he had safety first. No-one I could see looked at all worried. It's all in the delivery.
As professional aviators we all know that, if in any doubt, the correct course of action is to "Go Around".
No criticism of this crew's actions but isn't a lot of the froth and brew haha from the press, public etc a result of lack of faith in the system etc.? I am NOT saying this is justified and it would be interesting to ponder the reasons why this has come about.
It is one thing being a good captain/pilot in terms of flying the a/c etc but another to be able to present matters in a good light from a PR point of view. Even an incident/accident can be put in a better perspective if a statement is made, for example, "only the skill of the crew prevented what could have been a much more serious incident."
I do believe in telling pax the truth but you can also be economical with what you do tell them! If in doubt say nothing at all until you are really sure about what you are going to say!
No criticism of this crew's actions but isn't a lot of the froth and brew haha from the press, public etc a result of lack of faith in the system etc.? I am NOT saying this is justified and it would be interesting to ponder the reasons why this has come about.
It is one thing being a good captain/pilot in terms of flying the a/c etc but another to be able to present matters in a good light from a PR point of view. Even an incident/accident can be put in a better perspective if a statement is made, for example, "only the skill of the crew prevented what could have been a much more serious incident."
I do believe in telling pax the truth but you can also be economical with what you do tell them! If in doubt say nothing at all until you are really sure about what you are going to say!
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I recently had to go-around at LHR. First time in 4 years.
ATC instructed the preceeding two aircraft to G/A because of FOD on the runway. They warned me (at about 4 miles) to expect to G/A also. So we were well prepared for it when instructed to G/A at about 1 NM.
After we got cleaned up and sorted out I made a PA to reassure the passengers. I told them the truth...debris on the runway which had to be cleared.
Later, when we landed, a colleague of mine who was paxing down the back came up to say hello. He told me that after I made the PA, some loudmouth in the row in front of him was telling everyone in the surrounding area that 'the pilot had to break off the landing because he was too fast and screwed it up...this happened to me before, he's just making that up about the debris'.
So in my view it really doesn't matter what you tell the pax. They'll believe what they want anyhow.
Just try not to sound like you aren't fully in control of the situation...thats all they need really.
ATC instructed the preceeding two aircraft to G/A because of FOD on the runway. They warned me (at about 4 miles) to expect to G/A also. So we were well prepared for it when instructed to G/A at about 1 NM.
After we got cleaned up and sorted out I made a PA to reassure the passengers. I told them the truth...debris on the runway which had to be cleared.
Later, when we landed, a colleague of mine who was paxing down the back came up to say hello. He told me that after I made the PA, some loudmouth in the row in front of him was telling everyone in the surrounding area that 'the pilot had to break off the landing because he was too fast and screwed it up...this happened to me before, he's just making that up about the debris'.
So in my view it really doesn't matter what you tell the pax. They'll believe what they want anyhow.
Just try not to sound like you aren't fully in control of the situation...thats all they need really.
Sub Judice Angel Lovegod
Join Date: Oct 2002
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On a slightly wider note, a friend of mine, non-pilot and not very interested in aviation, was telling me how he was on his way back from the eastern med (Cyprus IIRC) in a charter when the Capt pops up on the PA saying that the headwinds were such that they might have to land to pick up fuel, maybe in nothern Italy or southern France. Then half an hour later was saying that they thought that they would probably be alright. Then 20 mins later again that they would be landing in northern France and finally that they had been promised a quick approach so they would continue to Gatwick.
By this time everyone on board was scared ****less and he now checks before booking a holiday that he is not on that carrier.
so it is definitely possible to give far too much information!
W
By this time everyone on board was scared ****less and he now checks before booking a holiday that he is not on that carrier.
so it is definitely possible to give far too much information!
W
