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ken0042 · 01-31-2012, 02:27 AM

As some of you know- I'm on vacation in the Philippines. We had a direct flight from Vancouver to Manila; a 14 hour flight. A couple of hours into the flight I heard an announcement asking if there was a doctor on board. Shortly after that I saw some activity about 20 rows up, and I checked my GPS to see where we may be making a landing. We were off the coast of Alaska; about 100 miles from Anchorage. (Our flight plan took us along the BC and Alaska coast, along Siberia and down the coast of Japan.) I went back to my movies and was half listening for an announcement about an unscheduled landing; which never happened. In fact nothing else seemed to happen.

About an hour before we landed the captain came over the PA to tell us we would be delayed on the ground in Manila; and this was the first we heard of the death onboard. He did a great job of being sensitive to the family of the lady who died; as well as explaining to the rest of us why we needed to be cleared before we could leave the plane.

Here is my question for the pilots we have on here- why do you think we didn't make an unscheduled landing? Would the only reason have been that she had already passed away? I know we were over the ocean so we could have dumped fuel, and 100 miles should be enough distance to descend from 37,000 feet and make a landing. (I would think.)

I'm just curious what the rules and or laws are on this. I just don't want to think that costs, medical insurance or border crossing issues would have prevented us from trying to save somebody who needed medical care.

Sorry, it's just been bugging me for a few days. Somebody like me was on their way to meet with family and friends, and is planning a funeral instead of a welcome home party.

01-31-2012, 02:27 AM	#1
ken0042 Playboy Mansion Poolboy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout Exp:	When somebody dies on an airplane As some of you know- I'm on vacation in the Philippines. We had a direct flight from Vancouver to Manila; a 14 hour flight. A couple of hours into the flight I heard an announcement asking if there was a doctor on board. Shortly after that I saw some activity about 20 rows up, and I checked my GPS to see where we may be making a landing. We were off the coast of Alaska; about 100 miles from Anchorage. (Our flight plan took us along the BC and Alaska coast, along Siberia and down the coast of Japan.) I went back to my movies and was half listening for an announcement about an unscheduled landing; which never happened. In fact nothing else seemed to happen. About an hour before we landed the captain came over the PA to tell us we would be delayed on the ground in Manila; and this was the first we heard of the death onboard. He did a great job of being sensitive to the family of the lady who died; as well as explaining to the rest of us why we needed to be cleared before we could leave the plane. Here is my question for the pilots we have on here- why do you think we didn't make an unscheduled landing? Would the only reason have been that she had already passed away? I know we were over the ocean so we could have dumped fuel, and 100 miles should be enough distance to descend from 37,000 feet and make a landing. (I would think.) I'm just curious what the rules and or laws are on this. I just don't want to think that costs, medical insurance or border crossing issues would have prevented us from trying to save somebody who needed medical care. Sorry, it's just been bugging me for a few days. Somebody like me was on their way to meet with family and friends, and is planning a funeral instead of a welcome home party.