Submitted by t_11 t3_xvze1k in WorcesterMA
Comments
Centrist_gun_nut t1_ir5wua1 wrote
This is close but it may be way more interesting than that. I listened to the ATC, briefly.
It sounds like the approach charts that Jetblue had for this require full instrument landing systems but that the distance-measuring radios (DMEs) have been out of service in Worcester for like a month. NOTAM reads:
!ORH 08/011 ORH NAV ILS RWY 29 DME u / S 2208101301-2304192000EST meaning "DME Unusable".
Worcester Tower said it was fine to try without this, and it sounds like the pilots tried a couple of times but weren't predisposed to taking risks when their paperwork says they needed the system that was broken.
So it was a combination of broken ILS, bad weather, and caution.
Disclaimer: not this kind of pilot.
Touareg21 t1_ir6mqv7 wrote
I was on a flight once that got diverted to Boston because of low visibility
bemest t1_ir6nmbl wrote
It used to be much more common. Part of the the problem keeping airline operators at Worcester. They’ve upgraded the approach system, it’s better but they still get zero-zero days. That is zero feet of cloud ceiling and zero forward visibility.
legalpretzel t1_ir3y5zr wrote
This isn’t uncommon. It could be weather (high cross winds), mechanical issues with the plane, or JetBlue needing that plane in Boston for some reason. Before they installed the landing system fog was the usual reason for a diversion.
SmartSherbet t1_ir5681t wrote
If Jet Blue needs the plane in Boston, they should drop off their passengers in Worcester and then fly it there. Putting people on the ground somewhere other than where they paid to be because they messed up their Boston operations is unacceptable.
draken2019 t1_ir5v799 wrote
Right, but they're a business. They can easily compensate the people who don't want to be in Boston with something free.
It's a pretty safe assumption that a good portion, if not a majority, of the people flying on the plane live closer to Boston anyways.
albalfa t1_ir5zlk4 wrote
> It's a pretty safe assumption that a good portion, if not a majority, of the people flying on the plane live closer to Boston anyways.
Not sure this is what happened anyway, but to your comment:
If they are flying into Worcester, isn't it a pretty safe assumption they either have their car there or someone is waiting to pick them up?
[deleted] t1_ir64w0u wrote
[deleted]
Rumezi t1_ir7gni3 wrote
>It's a pretty safe assumption that a good portion, if not a majority, of the people flying on the plane live closer to Boston anyways.
If they live closer to Boston then why wouldn't they just fly into Boston?
draken2019 t1_irivff2 wrote
Because flights into Boston are generally much more expensive and you're only losing an hour flying into Worcester and hopping over to the commuter rail.
Not everyone has a ton of cash to fly out of wherever is closest to them. I've driven to Rhode Island for flights when they were more expensive out of Worcester even though that's only 10min from my house.
[deleted] t1_irz46hu wrote
[deleted]
delicioustreeblood t1_ir3w567 wrote
Left the stove on
forillaginger t1_ir4yld4 wrote
Maybe the pilot lives in sutton and wanted to fly over his house.
Hugh_Jeynus t1_ir5op2q wrote
Wells that’s Sutton he could have told the passengers so they could make alternate arrangements.
gm33 t1_ir58iwt wrote
Do they shuttle these pax to Worcester for free then? How do you get your car?
Thoro32 t1_ir5ms5p wrote
When this happened to me Jetblue gave all of us tickets for cab rides home. They also gave us $50 Jetblue credits
gm33 t1_ir5nh95 wrote
Ok that’s good!
ganduvo t1_ir5bk6g wrote
I've always wondered this as well. Curious to hear a real answer; I imagine/really hope that JetBlue would be on the hook for passenger transport back to Worcester, through their own money or some accommodation with ORH/Massport. They can get away with not paying for delays when weather is the cause, but a different arrival location seems like something that should be compensated for.
epicchad29 t1_ir5fto6 wrote
To get from Logan to Worcester via blue line-commuter rail is probably $15. Maybe another $5 for a bus or $15 for an Uber to the airport. JetBlue will probably compensate them, but it’s not exactly a lot of money
gm33 t1_ir5gs20 wrote
Most of those options are running at midnight, are they?
epicchad29 t1_ir5gvsk wrote
Didn’t realize how late this was posted — the airline would almost certainly cover a hotel
gm33 t1_ir5iibg wrote
I live in Worcester. There’s no way I’m staying in a Boston hotel when I just want to get home an hour away. A bus or van or Uber reimbursement would be all I want.
Spicy_E t1_ir5mvme wrote
I have been through this issue in the past around 2018-2019. JetBlue did shuttle passengers back to Worcester at no charge. And also give you a credit for inconvenience.
Not sure about nowadays though.
Tomato21579 t1_ir5qpgg wrote
Hey that flew like directly over my house
rosie2490 t1_ir4r6vt wrote
Whatever it was, the plane came back from Boston a few min ago. Must have brought the passengers to BOS then needed the plane still at ORH.
[deleted] t1_ir57u2z wrote
[removed]
watch_me_live t1_ir71zjz wrote
what is this from? an app or a website?
becomingelle t1_ir7cyr4 wrote
App called flight radar 24
t_11 OP t1_ir7g1e1 wrote
App
bemest t1_ir4pas2 wrote
Looks like visibility. Flew the approach but not enough visibility to land so diverted to Boston. If the cloud ceiling is 1000’ at Boston it’s zero at Worcester.