Flight canceled mid-air, heads back to Charlotte
Upon descent, pilot found Charleston airport was closed
Updated 04:57 p.m., July 24, 2009
A strange thing happened to a plane en route from Charlotte to Charleston on Wednesday night.
Already beginning his final descent into the Lowcountry, the pilot on U.S. Airways Flight 3203 announced that he was turning around and heading back to Charlotte. Charleston International Airport, he told passengers as the clock ticked past midnight, had closed.
File
Aerial view of the runways at Charleston International
Passenger Jenny Spain, returning from two weeks in Costa Rica with her husband, put it this way: "I've never heard of a flight being canceled mid-air."
The couple never learned why.
The airport did close at midnight, as it has every day since June 9 and will through Aug. 9, while work crews from the adjoining Charleston Air Force Base rebuild one of the two runways. The $30 million project runs from April through November and requires two months without air traffic between midnight and 6 a.m.
Trisha Gallaway, public affairs officer for the base, said the 7,000-foot runway last received major work more than 40 years ago and had deteriorated to an extent that damage had become a safety concern. Officials must close the airport as they work on the intersection of the runways.
The airport usually remains open 24 hours a day, and every airline knew in advance of the early-morning closures this summer, Charleston County Aviation Authority spokeswoman Becky Beaman said.
"It's rare something like this would happen," she said.
Flight 3203's inconvenient evening began with inclement weather in Charlotte, according to Carlo Bertolini, spokesman for Republic Airways, the carrier that operated the flight for U.S. Airways.
Bertolini said lightning struck near Charlotte Douglas International Airport and delayed takeoff after the plane left the gate at around 10:30 p.m. The flight, which was scheduled to arrive in Charleston at 11:25 p.m., departed Charlotte at 11:43 p.m., he said.
"We thought we were going to be able to make it in time," Bertolini said. "In addition, we thought the tower might remain open a little later."
Instead, only 50 miles outside of Charleston the pilot learned he would have to take the 66 passengers and four crew members back to Charlotte. The plane landed in Charlotte at 12:40 a.m., Bertolini said.
"The dispatcher and pilot were in communication through the flight plan," he said. "It showed we would be able to make it in time. It's not in our interest to do this, either, because it's extra fuel. It wasn't a consideration we took lightly."
Back on the ground, Spain said passengers received vouchers for a hotel discount and new tickets to fly out Thursday. She overheard a teenage boy call his father and ask what to do while other passengers groused about the hold-up.
"It was kind of funny," she said. "When we landed and they said, 'You can use your cell phone now,' there were a lot of cranky people on cell phones."
Editor's note: Earlier versions of this story gave the wrong distance the plane was from Charleston when it had to turn around. The Post and Courier regrets the error.
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Comments
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
Surely the airport here could have kept the runway open for another 30 minutes or so...
July 24, 2009 at 1:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
signseeker17 (anonymous) says...
Good ole Chucktown. World class.
July 24, 2009 at 2:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ron_Godzilla (anonymous) says...
Hey Charleston
For a city completely dependent on tourism you have probably the most crappiest air service for a major tourist destination anywhere in the US. It is by far easier to fly into a city the likes of Tulsa or Lubbock than it is to fly to Charleston. Who's to blame.
Your mayor and city council. Why? Why in these difficult economic times have they not even lifted a finger to even attract an airline such as Jet Blue, Southwest Airlines or Virgin America. The little man dictator Joe Riley and the rest of the losers on your city council are too busy sucking the tit of the real estate developers to even consider the fact that attracting a progressive airline into your city would create a vital economic lifeline. Why do you accept this. Joe Riley has become a major cancer to your city and offers completely nothing to the future of the Charleston area, the sooner you dispose of this individual the better you will be.
The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. An absolutely positively useless organization! They should be spearheading an effort such as this. If you are a member of this organization and are paying the yearly membership fee cancel it now because they have failed you and will continue to do so. Your elected officials and organizations that are supposed to support the area are dropping the ball and Charleston will suffer as a result of this incompetence. Take a stand and send these people a message!
July 24, 2009 at 3:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
patlabb (anonymous) says...
Another example of stupid planning and thinking. The passengers recieved "a voucher for a hotel discount" not a free hotel stay? This kind of story doesn't help promote tourism...South Carolina is becoming a national joke...a governor who cries in public about his Argentine soulmate,an airport that closes at midnight and send planes all the way back, a US senator that declares war on a sitting President, a beauty pagent winner that had less brains than those dead possums in the road...what next? I ask what next? South Carolina is becoming the joke of the nation? Will Mississippi please step up???
July 24, 2009 at 4:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Banjaman (anonymous) says...
For those of you so quickly to critize Charleston, please note that Charleston Airport is a lease agreement with the U.S. AirForce. If they say close the runway at midnight, you better close it.
July 24, 2009 at 5:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Zod (anonymous) says...
Banjaman,
That is no excuse. To the contrary, this airport should be first class as just about everything having to do with the airport has been financed by the US government. The tickets should cost less and the runway should be pristine. This "international" airport has all the appearances of being under the leadership of "Bubba".
I still drive to Myrtle Beach, Columbia, and Savannah because it costs less to fly various airlines out of the aforementioned airports. Every take off and landing of a C-17 represents a charge to the US government. If the CCAA lowers the cost of take off and landing for the commercial airline, it must charge the US government the same amount. Our flights will never cost less than any airport within 200 miles of this place as a result. The "international" airport will always be a feeder to commercial airlines. That is until the Air Force becomes tired of the obstacles of doing business in this area. Then the Charleston "International" Airport will become a deserted strip of land between Dorchester and I-26.
July 24, 2009 at 5:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DougHuffman (anonymous) says...
Right, except 'Bubba' is now Dr. O'Bungler and you crackers elected him!
July 24, 2009 at 6:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Palmettobreeze (anonymous) says...
Umm. Why is it whenever something like this happens someone always blames Joe Riley. The play was flying into Charleston International, I am not sure if some one is just slow, or doesn't really know their boundries, but last time I checked the Airport is in North Charleston, not City of Charleston. A little outside of of the Cities Jurisdiction if I am correct. Maybe Sumney should focus on that instead of berating low level CSX workers who are just doing what they are told to do by their bosses. Last time I checked North Charlesotn was not all about improving tourism. Unless you count the high crime rates, and failed Noisette project. In reality the fault lies with the airline for trying to make it happen, and more then likely they did not warn passengers of the posisble risk. However, things like this are a risk people take when they buy those cheap late night tickets, so people need to learn to get over things like this. Did the world end last night for 66 people? Did someone Die? Nope they were just inconvienced, not killed. World... Relax...
July 24, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
The airline is totally responsible for this. They knew that Charleston closed at midnight, knew that they could not get to Charleston in 17 minutes, and failed to call ahead to see if Charleston could wait on them.
July 24, 2009 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sgtwitherspoon (anonymous) says...
This is not a new issue. The US Air Charlotte flight is the last one of the evening and is late four out of the five nights that I spend at the airport. US Air constantly pushes the envelope and always leans on the goodwill or kindness of others to take up its slack. We all know people who are like this. They are always late, never prepared, and always have an excuse. This is US Air. Their airfare is cheap and you get what you pay for. This policy has been in effect since the beginning of the summer and other flights have also been effected. There have been some emergency diversions that were allowed to land after the closing.
This is not an issue that the gate agents or the flight crew can avoid. It is a management issue that makes this airline constantly underperform. This is not the fault of the airport, nor the City of Charleston, nor the Air Force.
July 24, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MC29461 (anonymous) says...
US Air is not being truthful about being able to successfully complete the flight anywhere close to the midnight closing deadline.
Considering slower climb out and decent portions of the flight, to be able to fly the 175 miles from Charlotte to Charleston in 17 minutes, they would have had to cruise at over 700 miles per hour - an impossible task for any commercial aircraft these days.
PS: For all the cry babies bemoaning the horrors of living in SC, please leave NOW! There is nothing that will change within your lifetime to satisfy this incessant whining.
July 24, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MC29461 (anonymous) says...
Truth be told, if the pilot's flight extends past midnight they get credit for another day of work towards the maximum monthly total plus any extra pay for remaining over night in an unscheduled city.
It was a stupid call on US Air's part to even begin the flight.
July 24, 2009 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JC (anonymous) says...
US Air was probably late - AS ALWAYS
July 24, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Booniechic (anonymous) says...
"passengers received vouchers for a hotel discount"???????? I don't think so...they'd be picking up the entire tab!! And i would bust into the mini bar and every ppv movie possible!
July 24, 2009 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
"To the contrary, this airport should be first class as just about everything having to do with the airport has been financed by the US government."
Now isn't that just about a laughable statement. That is what the Fed gov. is known for though I guess, ITS CLASS.
If the Airlines and airports had already been aware of the closings, there is no excuse for this happening. As another poster stated, if the Air Force told them they could not operate during these hours, they better not. This is work that apparently had to be done, so putting the passengers at risk by flying them in while I'm sure crews were already setting up would have been a horrible and potentially dangerous situation. Especially in light of all the crashes problems we've had this year with flights.
July 24, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iculukin (anonymous) says...
Why would you blame the airport? They had already announced the closing well in advance. It was the call that was made in Charlotte that caused the problem. I have flown in and out of Charleston for years and have never had any problems that other posters complain about. Of course, if you want a reason to complain...you usually can!
July 24, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
Being that this is US Air, wonder if the passengers will have their bags today. US Air is good for putting your bags on the wrong flight
July 24, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fletch1015 (anonymous) says...
Being a regular traveler...no wonder my last few flights have been out of MB. It's not a bad little drive (actually kind of relaxing after being on a plane). Not to mention the flight alternatives out of MB vs. Chas. Flights significantly more expensive and less frequent in Charleston. What a bunch of idiots!
July 24, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammanofdi (anonymous) says...
Banjaman is right - our airport is operated by the USAF and what they say goes. But still - it seems like some concessions could have been made for this one. Check out the flight tracking here:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/RP...
July 24, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charles_Town (anonymous) says...
Bad situation all the way around. Can't blame them for delaying the flight due to inclement weather. They do get the blame for knowing they could not possibly make it to Charleston in 17 minutes. They were notified in advance. If the Air Force says close the runway, close the runway. If Charleston does not like it, should have built your own airport (runways included). I always thought it was stupid to share runways anyway.
July 24, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChasHighgrad68 (anonymous) says...
Luuuuuuuccy you got sa splainin' ta do!
July 24, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HERE_AND_THERE (anonymous) says...
This is so ridiculous I can't believe that anyone is taking up for the airport. Thee is NO reason, since they were in constant contact with the control tower, that those guys could have gotten permission for another 30 minutes of service as it was the last plane to land. This defies logic and understanding. The USAF is not know for being stupid or arrogant here, did someone even ask, or was it a situation where the people in the tower were bailing out and just weren't going to make the extra effort? My bet is the latter. SORRY....just SORRY state of affairs to allow that to happen.
July 24, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
common_sense_plz (anonymous) says...
I think the issue is about communication. Since the weather was bad in Charlotte, a call to the runway crew foreman from air control or someone explaining the situation MAY have seen a different outcome.
The runaway closure has been discussed and on the table a lot longer than last night.
That being said . . . about communication and USAIR, I have tried dealing with them about their policy or lack of that has toddlers flying unaccompanied if other passengers don't want to move so that toddlers can sit with their guardians.
July 24, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
Jeeezzz people, obviously the flight should never have left Charlotte it was a nobrainer it couldn't make it on time! If the closing was held off for anything other then a true emergency that runway would Never get repaired/improved as someone would be screwing up Every night. In the end the contractor would be catching he!! for being late while all the regular consistent inconsiderate screwups went merrily on their way. If you have ever been the last step in the process you can appreciate this. Every inconsiderate jerk in the front of the procedure takes their time and is late. The last one in the procedure gets his turn and his deadline is already past. U.S. Air won't roll the dice on this one again.
July 24, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
osprey591 (anonymous) says...
Charleston is not the only airport with problems. Atlanta has the worst customer service I have ever witnessed. My son, an active duty soldier was late checking in to his international flight because of the lack of service in the airport. When he finally arrived at the check in counter, in a line for active duty no less, he was 10 minutes away from being late to check in. And by the time the fifth attendant was about to issue his boarding pass he was told due to homeland security he could not board the plane. Even though it was sitting on the runway with an hour left before takeoff. He IS homeland security. Anyway, Delta did make the tickets good and he avoided trouble with his company. You can bet we won't be using the Atlanta airport again. And if the passengers on that flight headed into Charleston have a choice I'm sure they won't fly into our fine city again.
July 24, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
It's the airline's fault.
July 24, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
osprey591 (anonymous) says...
And, thanks to the imperial federal government do you realize the tax for flying? Check it out. This is through Delta. Passenger name withheld for privacy.
Billing Details
Receipt Information
Fare Details: MIL DL ATL 126.13TKDLSJ8 DL MIL 126.13TKDLSJ8 NUC252.26END ROE0
.792803 XF ATL4.5
Fare: 278.00 USD Form of Payment
Tax: 330.00 TX
Total: 608.00 USD Org Tkt 00675647940240
Org FOP VI************0220
Detailed Tax Information
Total Tax: 330.00 USD
July 24, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
gripe gripe gripe
the flight should not have left Charlotte and the customers should have been given free hotel vouchers. Not for PPV and the mimi bar but just for a place to sleep that night and maybe breakfast the next morning.
I imagine one of them will now sue for thousands of dollars.
July 24, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
R_U_Kidding_Me (anonymous) says...
The last time my brother and his family visited us here from Denver he found it cheaper and FASTER to fly into Atlanta and rent a car. He could drive from Atlanta to Charleston faster and easier than flying in. I think that says it all about Charleston's great airport.
July 24, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Being a military air field it hard to see the whole air field closing, unless the wind was to strong to use another run way.
July 24, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
allie29418 (anonymous) says...
Being a customer I this flight, I can vouch for everyone on this plane who says that they will never fly US Air when given a choice. It was not a case where we bought the "cheapest late night tickets". I happen to work in Baltimore and I try to come home as often as I can which means sometimes having limited flight choices.
This ultimately comes down to US Air making the decision to begin our flight, which never should have been done. We boarded around 10:30 and we were put in a holding pattern being told we were waiting for the storm to pass over because it was headed north east. As the storm passed, we were told there were 15 planes ahead of us to take off. (Anyone remember that it was a major feat for the AF to launch 17 C-17's one minute apart? Do the math US Air..... At that point I sent my husband a text saying we were holding with 15 planes ahead of us and he texted back that the runway in Charleston closed at midnight and we would not make it. And he does not work for US Air but even he figured this out. According to my clock, it was 11:35 by time we actually took off and the pilot said it was a 31 minute flight, so that shows they knew we would not make it by midnight. But I guess he thought risking a tank of gas on an airplane was not a big deal, after all the airlines had nothing else to lose wiht their high profit margins these days...;) So at 12:07 they announced we were being turned around (now flying the direction of the storm) hey, no big deal right?
Once landed we were offered discounted rates at a hotel. And since it was after midnight, the hotel participating in the $54 rate did not have a shuttle, so now we also had to pay cab fare. I was on hold for an eternity to get this fare, and then got disconnected. So I found another hotel offering a "disrupted flight" rate and it cost me $95 to stay and $14.00 in cab fair. I got there around 2:00 am and had to get up at 6:00 to make it back to the airport by 7:30 for my 9:30 flight (not taking any chances on being bumped).
In the grand scheme of things, foreclosures, unemployment being at an all time high, soldiers losing their lives, this was not the worst thing that I could experience, however, the Airlines should have cancelled the flight at 10:30 when the storm had the airport runway at a standstill, offered us vouchers and lodging. Not everyone is in the position that they can afford to go spend any amount on a hotel, especially for just a few hours. The pilot and US Air is responsible for this, not North Charleston. However, if we had more options of flights, we would have the choice to boycott this airline as opposed being forced to make a choice of using US Air or seeing our families. Chances are we had some tourist on vacation flying into Charleston that won't be returning or singing our praises of Southern Hospitality next year!
July 24, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
R_U_Kidding_Me (anonymous) says...
I just checked the AVIS web site. You can rent a car from the Charlotte A/P one-way to the Charleston A/P for about $150. It's a 3 hour drive. What do you think it cost the passengers to stay over night at the airport?
I checked AMTRAK out of curiousity. That's a joke. You have to take one train to Washington DC and change trains to get back to Charleston. Have you ever heard the phrase "You can't get there from here" ?
just my thoughts....
July 24, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bunting (anonymous) says...
I feel sorry for the passengers. Period.
July 24, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kroonerrater (anonymous) says...
"WELCOME TO CHARLESTON!!" (as long as it's before midnight)
July 24, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tallblonde (anonymous) says...
Would this have happened during Spoleto? ;-)
July 24, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USCLAW (anonymous) says...
One hesitates to add facts to this lively debate, but let me try. The runways are owned and controlled by the USAF. It costs nothing for a C-17 to take off or land. The USAF is reconstructing the short runway, and all of the airlines know that during this summer the long runway will be closed from midnight until 6:00am. No one at the CCAA and the FAA can adjust that. I doubt that anyone at the Base would entertain the question at 11:45pm. USAir knew it and took off anyway. Their error is no reflection on the CCAA, the cities of Charleston and North Charleston, or the State of SC.
The air service to CHS is superior to either Columbia, Savannah, or Myrtle Beach. We have more flights and more nonstops than any of those airports. Any of you that think that it costs too much to fly out of CHS must not have flown since AirTran arrived. Prices are significantly lower. To drive from Atlanta instead of flying Delta or AirTran seems silly.
You negative folks need to stop complaining about Mayor Riley and Mayor Summey each time you post. They are valued members of the CCAA but are only 2 out of 13 board members.
July 24, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blacman (anonymous) says...
tallblonde
Your answer....look out for falling parachutes!
July 24, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
R_U_K, that's too cool info about AMTRAK. I know the trip between those airports more than I wish to know. If you make it in 3 hours, you're honking. Just a reasonable speed of say 5 mph over the posted limit puts the trip closer to 4. That would still have been a good alternative.
July 24, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
"Psht...This is your Captain for US Air flight 3203. We have begun our final decent into Charleston International Airport....er...huh...son of a bi......oh okay.....Um, passengers, remember way back when I said we had begun our final decent? Well, {uncomfortable giggle} the thing is....um actually we are not. Yeah, we are turning around and going back to Charlotte for the night. Please accept this 10% discount towards a hotel room........damn it!"
July 24, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammanofdi (anonymous) says...
The Charleston Airport needs a huge "No Vacancy" neon light built right in the middle of their airfield just for these times.
July 24, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
Ironic no one has answered the question "what if the plane had crashed on the way back to Charlotte". Bet your bottom peso heads would have rolled and lawsuits upward as high as nobama's trillion dollar deficit. (sp.)
July 24, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammanofdi (anonymous) says...
ysilly - the odds of the plane crashing are far less than someone having a medical emergency in flight. That's what I want to know - what if someone had suffered a heart attack, stroke, etc and the plane needed to be grounded immediately? Surely, exceptions would have been made to get this plane on the ground, right? And if so, that means that this 12:00 "curfew" surely isn't as rigid as their making this sound and is open to exceptions. Who dictates what is allowed or not allowed to land in these circumstances?
July 24, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonhome (anonymous) says...
Unbelievable! In today's post 9-11 world of communicating with airplanes, how in the $%&*! could a plane be in route to the airport here and each other not know what's going on??? This is a recipe for disaster. And they wonder why people criticize the Charleston Airport.
July 24, 2009 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WinthropEagleFan (anonymous) says...
If the runways close at midnight, then I'm glad that they didn't make an exception for this flight. There was no emergency, it was just a case of USAir trying to push their luck. It's a shame that they did it at the expense of their passengers, but allowing this plane to land would've been a bad precendent and would've allowed USAir and other airlines to push their luck more often, knowing that the airport will let them land anyway.
And of course if there was an emergency they would let the plane land, so the curfew isn't 100% rigid I'm sure, but this didn't seem like a good reason to make an exception to the 'rule'. And USAir was careless to takeoff without getting the go-ahead from CHS.
July 24, 2009 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USCLAW (anonymous) says...
charlestonhome: I think that you have missed the point. The USAF closed the runway at midnight so that construction can occur near the intersection of the 2 runways. This closure has been posted for months. It is not arbitrary. It is required for construction activities. It has nothing to do with the CCAA. The problem is pretty simple. The plane left Charlotte with no chance that it could land here before midnight. The error was USAir's alone.
July 24, 2009 at 11:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grainofsalt (anonymous) says...
USCLAW - thanks for injecting the facts - which were clearly present in the article. It's unbelievable how illogical some of these rants are. This was a US Air problem, not a Charleston problem.
US Air knew the runway was going to be closed at midnight. Period. An airline rep suggested that they thought maybe the tower might stay open just a little longer? Wow.... You don't think they have workers on the runway 2 minutes after midnight working? They've got a limited time to do this runway work and I'm betting they use every minute of it. And someone here suggested that US Air should have called and asked them to keep it open another 30 minutes. Really? And have the contractors working on the runway just sitting there waiting? How much would that cost the taxpayers? And what sort of Pandora's box would that open. Do they follow suite when the next late carrier calls the following night? Do you people actually analyze what you're writing before you hit "post?"
Kudos to those of you who saw the simple logic in this and posted accordingly.
Sigh... I hate to be one of those people that says this... and I'll rebuke myself for it later. But for those who take such glee in grousing about how terrible the airport service is, how rotten the mayors are, how terrible the drivers are, how stupid the school system is, how backwards everything else is down here - none of us are holding you prisoner, if you take my meaning... I'm not saying you don't criticize what needs critiquing (and some of the examples I just mentioned occasionally do), but some of you regulars are so "regular" at it, I can't figure out why you haven't moved somewhere else yet.
Just sayin'...
July 24, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
I found the trains in Europe, with their frequent service and speeds of over 190 miles per hour to make air travel look fairly stupid for anything under 1000 miles. The trains go city center to city center and they have stations at major airports.
Charleston's only AmTrak line runs North and South with two trains per day in each direction.
Initial plans for the national high speed rail network do not include Charleston. When Senator DeMint is trying to "break" the President and fight the majorities on both houses, and Congressman Brown asleep, it's likely there will be no high speed train under Charleston's Christmas tree. Without that, tourism may have a major challenge as places off the TGV system in France discovered.
We always fly early in the day. It's often inconvenient, but so is nearly everything connected with air travel now.
July 24, 2009 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
mnbvcxz (anonymous) says...
Airtran is da best. Buy their stock!
July 24, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
I suspect that many of you who insist they should have let them land are the type of inconsiderate person who is Always Late For Everything no matter what.
July 24, 2009 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNN_10 (anonymous) says...
If they were smart U.S. Airways could have landed in Columbia, and maybe get a bus to charter the people back to Charleston to the Airport. Get their rides to pick them up. Seriously i do not know what is all the fuss should have called the Airport.
July 24, 2009 at 1:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
webman2 (anonymous) says...
[the pilot said],""We thought we were going to be able to make it in time." WTF? He TOUGHT he could make it blocks to dock 17 minutes? He THOUGHT the tower would stay open? No, neocons, this is no government screw-up. That is a third-rate airline company making a stupid, uninformed judgement. I'm not blaming the pilot, he turned around when the airport was closed. This was the company's and the dispatcher's fault.
You cons who hate the government must really love the big airline business. Airlines are officially unsafe, unreliable, uncomfortable. And the really crappy thing is, if you bitch about it, you get a bunch of rent a thugs hauling you off the plane asking if you "ever heard of 911?"
July 24, 2009 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bornin43 (anonymous) says...
To all of you posters who blame "North Chuck", the airport may be IN North Charleston, but it is run by the City of Charleston Airport Commission and North Charleston has no say in the matter. Problems at the airport are totally the responsibility of Joe Riley and his crew.
If you do not know that, it is ovious that you do not live in the Greater Charleston Area, and should do a little research before you post derogatory post about North Charleston or Charleston.
July 24, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USCLAW (anonymous) says...
bornin43: You are definite but wrong. The CCAA runs civilian side of the airport and is not connected with either the City of Charleston or the City of North Charleston. As I noted earlier, Mayors Riley and Summey are on the Board, as is the Mayor of MP and the Chair of County Council. A little more research on your part might be in order.
July 24, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bornin43 (anonymous) says...
OK, I stand corrected, but the problem addressed in this article is in no way the fault of North Charleston as early post stated.
July 24, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fyrefighter273 (anonymous) says...
Read the NOTAM's a commercial pilot knew this (or should have). This reminds me of a Com Air flight a few years back where the pilot took off on the unlit runway which was too short for the aircraft departing. What is a priority our nations security or a commercial flight? The airport is actually the air force's our C17's are used all over the world and maybe their missions are more important. What whould we do if the Air Force said move to the jet port we need more space here. What was the alternate(s) listed on the flight plan? What would have happened IF the A/C needed to land at one of them? I only flew US Air one time and swore it was my last,over 25 years ago. Left ATL for DC by way of Pittsburg (it was on military business) maybe their way of getting more money. We are not the only city that shares the airport, look at Hickam and Peterson AFB see what works. We are getting a good deal with the joint operation we should live with it.
July 24, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
As a licensed pilot who flys out of CHS frequently (my plane is based there), let me make a few observations.
Most of the posts concerning this issue are based on emotion, lack of information, and "I don't like Joe" ism.
KCHS is a "joint use" airport and is controlled by the US Air Force, not the Charleston County (not city) Aviation Authority. The CCAC runs Mt. Pleasant, KLRO, and Johns Island, KJZI.
The closure of runways 15/33, at certain times of the day, while runways 3/21 are being replaced has been widely publicized for many months. It is in the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) file and is broadcast continuously on the ATIS (Automated Terminal Information System) at KCHS.
To suggest that this was not know to US Airways is ludicrous. This information was available to the pilot in command (PIC) and it is responsibility of the PIC to gather ALL available information about the destination airport before taking off. Consult the FAR's (Federal Aviation Regulations).
This story is a non story. But, it did give a number of people who are totally clueless an opportunity to vent.
July 24, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katrenavantassle (anonymous) says...
I am sorry but I believe that it is the PILOT's fault, he should now whether or not, the airport he is flying to is OPEN OR CLOSED...when he is going to get there!!!
And to offer a discount for the hotel, instead of a free room, well...I would NEVER fly that airline again.
BTW, I never fly at all. I drive. All the way to Dallas, and back to Charleston, I drive still.
Airlines these days are way too troublesome...with the 3 hr.check in's and wacko's I am safe inside my van, and I can stop whenever I choose to for shopping or site-seeing.
I lived in Dallas when DELTA FLIGHT 191 happened. I had a 3 month old baby and was sitting on my porch in Grapevine, Tx, and I had a perfect view of the airport. It was cloudy but not raining at my house and I saw a burst of lightening hit that plane and it went down, they said it was the wind shear that actually caused it to go down. Killed over 100 passengers and crew including one poor man sitting in his car stuck in traffic!!!
The survivors (yes, there were survivors) were in the smoking section! ( The rear of the plane).
I have never flown since 911. Never will...for nothing...If my car can't take me, I don't need to go.
July 24, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bella04 (anonymous) says...
It's only US Airways' fault if you blame them for hiring Republic Airlines to do their regional flying. Republic, who is considered in the industry as one of the finer regional carriers, has their own pilots, dispatchers, and mechanics. Those responsible for this screw up work for Republic Airlines, but US gets the blame.
July 24, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
corporateagenda (anonymous) says...
One more reason to loathe flying. As if it wasn't bad enough that they can bump you from your original flight, overbook flights, lose your bags, make you miss connections and offer you nothing more than a $10 off coupon for a hotel if you're unlucky enough to have to spend the night somewhere because of airline shenanigans. Apparently now they can cancel your flight right before landing too. NICE.
July 24, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
allie29418 (anonymous) says...
Just for those that said why not rent a car...a couple of us checked into it when we suspected the storm would ground us and there were no one way rentals available. Believe me, we were trying to get home!
There is no way around this one, US Air made a stupid decision and they should at least have offered us a free night of lodging.
July 24, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AlohaFriday (anonymous) says...
I was on the flight in 6D. We sat for 45 minutes on the ramp and took off 20 min before midnight. With 188 USAirways flight segments last year, I can say with all confidance that the quickest CLT-CHS flight is 27 minutes. It was impossible to make the midnight closing time. At 12:02, the pilot said, "Ladies and Gentleman, this is the captain. I have some bad news. aparantly the Charleston airport has closed this evening at midnight. I talkedto my company who talked to the FAA and we have no additional information." Back to CLT with a 1AM arrival and off to the Hilton. The next day in the USAir Club, the asst manager advised me to take my hotel bill to the ticket counter and request a $75 refund. When I did this in Charleston, I was told to contact Customer Relations, which I'll do this weekend. I talked to three women at the CHS information desk at the airport. They clearly understood the situation and explained that the airport has been closing at midnight for runway construction and that this information is available to all pilots as NOTAM's.
Here is the NOTAM listed today -
CHS 06/008 (KCHS A0263/09) CHS RWY 15/33 CLSD 0401-1000 DLY WEF 0906090401-0908091000
We are 0401 time (4 hrs ahead of Zulu time) and this is in effect from June 9, 2009 - August 8, 2009 12:01AM - 6:00AM.
Republic Airways screwed up. Plain and simple. The moment we took off, we were destined to return to CLT.
July 25, 2009 at 12:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
""Posted by Lovely_One on July 24, 2009 at 10:44 a.m.
"Psht...This is your Captain for US Air flight 3203. We have begun our final decent into Charleston International Airport....er...huh...son of a bi......oh okay.....Um, passengers, remember way back when I said we had begun our final decent? Well, {uncomfortable giggle} the thing is....um actually we are not. Yeah, we are turning around and going back to Charlotte for the night. Please accept this 10% discount towards a hotel room........damn it!""
--------------------
It sounds like Governor Sanford was the pilot...
July 25, 2009 at 1:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheRagingElephant (anonymous) says...
All of you people who are bashing US Airways and saying that its their fault might want to get your facts straight and check to see which airline was REALLY flying the plane before you look like an idiot. You also might want to consider taking a few reading comprehension classes b/c clearly most of the posters on this site can't comprehend what the article clearly stated.
Just b/c it has the name "US Airways" on it doesn't mean it's actually being flown by US Airways.
This was a US Airways EXPRESS flight, being flown by REPUBLIC AIRLINES, not US Airways. If your going to put the blame on an airline, make sure you blame the right airline first before looking like an idiot...
www.theragingelephant.com
July 25, 2009 at 3:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
This is how it normally goes: (USAir ground crew; control tower to USAir Pilot): The runway is closed after 12Midnite; do not depart Charlotte if not able to arrive by that time. (USAir pilot, 1 hour and some-odd minutes later): We are in range, and request landing. USAir ground crew: THE RUNWAY IS CLOSED! YOU WERE TOLD! USAir Pilot: If you don't allow me to land, I'll declare a "fuel emergency". This is EXACTLY how it's been going since the runway closure. The pilots are holier-than-thou, and think that since they've been pushing the envelope for weeks, that it would continue. It has been decided that they will NOT tolerate that behavior from the pilots ANY LONGER. They walk around on airport property (with no Chas. Intl. badge) like they belong there, and have nearly been arrested. They treat the ground crew like second-class garbage, and they FINALLY are getting a little of what their arrogant butts deserve! It's about time!
July 25, 2009 at 4:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
And yes, I'm up at 4:20 am, because I JUST PICKED MY HUBBY UP FROM WORK: GROUND CREW FOR US AIR. Alone at the airport since 12:50 am.
July 25, 2009 at 4:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
AlohaFriday: Actually, we are four hours BEHIND Zulu time. When it is 4:01 AM in Greenwich, England, it is 12:01 AM in the Eastern Time Zone.
I'm writing this at 11:00 AM EDT which is 15:00Z.
July 25, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Dcanipe (anonymous) says...
Something to think about. Why did they not divert to Myrtle Beach and bus from there. When I worked for Piedmont in Fayetteville, we would get diversions in at late night and bus them on into their final points. Oh I forgot. PIEDMONT was a airline that serve it customers well.
July 25, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AlohaFriday (anonymous) says...
Studley: I stand corrected on the Zulu - Eastern time conversion. Thats what happens when I post something after midnight and a few adult beverages. Thanks for the correction.
July 25, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
Aloha: Had a few myself, been there done that. I wish I had one now.
July 25, 2009 at 8:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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