What are the criteria for "extreme weather conditions"?

[deejayc]

I can well imagine it being scary and I would hate to experience it 'for real' in a C182, let alone a B737 with pax in the back!

So with that in mind Brad, what is probably your worst experience up there? How many hours do you have? I had a scare a while back with some hairy
Wx, chucking my little Cessna all over the place - but due to my lack of hours I haven't many stories. I'm always interested in what the pilots in
the thingypits of the big birds have to say...

Chris

[SWAFO]

I actually don't have that many hours in the 737... right around 4000. I have about 6800 hours in the F/A-18.

The experience in Dallas was probably the most difficult situation I've had to deal with in a 737. Taxiing around an airport when you can
only see a few hundred feet in front of you (if that) is definetly a scary experience. You've got to take it SLOW! I've had some pretty hairy
flights near TSTMS, as well as some difficult Winter flying in the Northeast. There are so many weather stories I've got, I wouldn't know
where to begin. I know that I'd rather be in a 737 when the rough stuff hits as opposed to a C182!

[deejayc]

LOL, I bet!

Last year I think I experienced my worst Wx ever (as a PAX). I was flying out with BA on a 777 from EGLL to KIAD and just off the coast of
Newfoundland it all got a bit ropey. The crew had us strap in and they strapped in themselves. After a few minutes of relative calm I was sure we'd
be unbuckling soon, then all hell broke loose. Overhead bins dropped open, the galley behind me literally trashed itself, the lights flicked a few
times and the plane joltted about so much I swear the seatbelt was going to give-up and let me bounce round the cabin.

Frankly, I was terrified, especially being well over 200nm from any land.

On the return trip less than 48 hours later, the weather if anything had worsened and for the flight back the crew had quite a job deicing this huge
744. After pushing-back and taxiing out and then returning back to the gate 3 times, the Captain was close to calling it a day. I must admit I would
have if I were he, as there was only about 30 PAX that day (yes, on a 744!).

Either way, on the fourth time we got away and on the way up I was thankful the bird was a 747 as opposed to the scheduled 777 as the 747 doesn't half
take some shoving about and as we rode up into the clouds, although bumpy it was nothing like the inbound leg.

Anyone else got stories of 'extreme weather conditions' ? Feel free to share anymore you have with us Brad, we're always interested

Chris

[AeroJim]

Here's a good question Brad, which is worse, Rain or Snow?

[SWAFO]

Personally, I think rain is worse. Snow limits visibility a little bit more, but sometimes it can be a lot more dry, and causes less
skidding/sliding/hydroplaning.

When you asked for a WX story, I didn't even think of "bumpy ride" stories. I've got quite a few of those! Nothing as severe as the
overhead bins opening, etc., but pretty heavy none the less!

[AeroJim]

So have we ever seen you on that A&E series, what is airlines or airport or something like that, its all SouthWest.

[SWAFO]

It's called "Airline". Nope, I have yet to be on it. I'll let you guys know if I'm ever filmed. I have seen the camera crew a few times.

[deejayc]

How did your first flight as PIC go Brad?

A long hop (by SWA standards) over to BWI wasn't it?

Chris

[DanSteph]

I never used GPS, plain old NAV VOR nav, I love that..

mmhhh that's a useless post ?

Dan
[moderator Note: You have work to do . Don't post useless post, please. Pagir]
moderator Note: I totally agree with Pagir. Get back to work Dan and stop wasting your time Phil

[pagir]

I'll moderate you!!!

Pagir

[SWAFO]

deejayc wrote:
How did your first flight as PIC go Brad?

A long hop (by SWA standards) over to BWI wasn't it?

Chris

It was a 3H 50M flight... Southwest's longest is right around 6H (KOAK-KPHL). It went very well, although wasn't my first flight as PIC (I
had to fill in for a sick Captain and fly a round trip ABQ-PHX-ABQ). So far, I like it a lot... just wish I was flying more. I'm more the "backup"
guy now

[deejayc]

Thanks for the reply Brad, much appreciated.

Are you not on a rota?

How does one become 'the backup guy'?

Chris