10 People Overcome by Fumes aboard Flight at BWI (Baltimore/Washington Int'l)

MSNBC

[nwctwx]

Apparently 10 people overcome by fumes on flight, 4 in critical condition. This was reported at the half hour flash (11:30PM EDT).

[safisoft]

Southwest has had ONE accident, that I remember... As far as speed is concerned, I'm happy for that. Southwest gets me where I need to go, and makes sure I get there on time, even if we're late getting off the gate.

The accident was caused by the crew pushing to get on the ground at Burbank. Speed was the very issue. They did not setup for a proper stabilized approach, and landing fast on a runway that is only a mile long.

With all due respect, "on time" may look like one thing to a passenger, and something completely different to those of us backstage. Every pilot likes to be on time... we just know that our abilities will only get us so far, and eventually the odds catch up with people who cut corners.

And yes, their employees are very nice and friendly. They are indeed the model of the industry in that regard. My comments were directed at "no problems" - from your seat in the back of the plane, there may be no problems.

[sinkspur]

My comments were directed at "no problems" - from your seat in the back of the plane, there may be no problems.

And isn't that the objective? Of course there are problems, but, if I don't know about them, they don't bother me.

[eno_]

Perhaps it was fumes from outside. But if it was in-flight, there isn't any plausible sourse, like hooking up the AC to the luggage tractor's exhaust.

[safisoft]

And isn't that the objective? Of course there are problems, but, if I don't know about them, they don't bother me.

An endorsement such as "no problems" and "no accidents" does not coincide with that objective. To be truly safe does not mean it only SEEMS safe to a passenger who does not know any differently.

[kcar]

As one who is a frequent flyer with Southwest, let me be the 50th to say that this was NOT food related, unless you mean by that that they were starved to illness. The honey-peanuts are quite harmless, because no-one without the aid of a knife can open the bags, and that's been checked.

It could have been a combo of starved, weary, overcrowded passengers, broken to tears by the sounds and smell of the baby one seat forward, suddenly and rudely awoken from a much deserved sexual reverie by a frustrated comedian-singer turned SW steward or stewardess belting out their inaugaural debut, (which sounds Exactly like the one you heard on the way to Houston Hobby).

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Nail polish remover. That was it.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

That's nuts. If you reported that to the FAA, you might get a response, now that Scary Mary is out of there. Most airlines require training because of the work involved and liability. Also it complies with the manufacturers requirements. But I know what you mean about them sending people out who are questionable. I remember talking to rampers at a station where I worked and most of them were convicted felons and the only work they could find that paid decent was tossing bags and catering food. Felons bringing food onboard; that was comforting.

[GUIDO]

And isn't that the objective? Of course there are problems, but, if I don't know about them, they don't bother me.

LOL Hey, just celebrated 20yrs with SOUTHWEST AIRLINES last month and this is the first I have heard about this "problem".

What would I do without my freerepublic???????

[fatima]

Thanks RedBloodedAmerican.

[Tennessee_Bob]

The catalytic converters on the CFM56-7's probably clogged up....

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Maybe the alternator belt gave out and got tangled in the radiator fan and started smoking, and the smoke got sucked into the cockpit when the Captain had his wing window (remember those?) open while he was puffing.

[Colorado Doug]

That's nuts

I was told that I was called into service that nigh because one of the airlines de-icer trucks wouldn't work. Someone forgot to add antifreeze to the solution or didn't add enough. How would you like to have your jet hosed down with that truck before it froze up?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Having someone trained or experienced should have done it. Thats why they caught the mixture levels were off; from following procedures. If they send someone out with the proper mixture that doesn't know the procedures for de-icing, then that is just as bad. Aircraft de-iced with a proper mix have crashed due to improper de-icing procedure. You have to have both. It ain't my rule.

[RinaseaofDs]

You might never get the straight story.

I was working with a Brit who was checking on flights. One Tampa station had a story which was never picked up by AP or the nets.

A flight from Tampa to Nova Scotia had four heart attacks. One died. The same flight going to London (it's second leg), two other people had heart attacks and another died.

He was taking the same flight the next day, and found the story a bit disquieting.

No explanation or follow up was every done on this that hit the press. It felt like an X-files episode. Very weird.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Southwest is noted for the lack of problems or accidents.

The people might've just had a bad reaction to the flight attendants' comedy routines.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

They are THE model airline, IMO, and I fly them exclusively, where possible.

Not my model airline. I can't stand the open boarding. (Although I understand why they do it.) I do fly them sometimes when I need a cheap flight at the last minute, though.

[Colorado Doug]

Thats why they caught the mixture levels were off; from following procedures.

Sadly, following procedures is not how they caught it. They caught it because the pump and lines were frozen solid and it wouldn't spray. There would have been no need to pull the truck from service if the mixture was checked and found to be weak. Simply adding enough antifreeze would kept the truck in service but they had to pull it into a hanger to thaw it out first. Antifreeze just won't mix with ice. Note: I agree that properly trained people are needed. That is why I was so shocked and concerned about the incident.

[mtbopfuyn]

Six heart attacks is no coincidence.

[mtbopfuyn]

So, did they ever say what the problem was?