Nine hurt on Westjet Flight from Turbulence

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by The Bismarck

I dont quite get Flights from Pearson to YYC. Why does it take 3 hours, 20 minutes from YYC to Pearson, yet nearly 5 hours from Pearson to YYC? I remember this summer, going to Toronto we had a top speed somewhere close to 600 MPH, but coming back, it hovered around 420 MPH...

I think it's because of tail wind.

From Toronto to Calgary, you are going against the jet stream.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I think it's because of tail wind.

From Toronto to Calgary, you are going against the jet stream.

Not neccesarily the jet stream, just the upper winds. Right now they are showing an 80 knot wind at cruise level (from the west). This translates to a 150 km/hr head wind when flying from toronto to calgary and tailwind in the other direction. Makes a big difference in speed from travelling in one direction versus another. http://www.flightplanning.navcanada....D_FL340-e.html
Hope the link works.

The upper level winds are nearly stationary, it's actually the spin of the earth relative to the air that creates the "wind". Hope this clears it up somewhat Bismarck.

[Ryan Coke]

Just wanted to say that the comment about turbulence to an aircraft being similar to a car on a gravel road to be a fairly good comparison.
We experience turbulence of varying degrees quite a bit, but it is really nothing dangerous. Typically the most hazardous element is what happened in this case--the possibility of people who aren't belted in getting injured. The actual safety of the airplane is very rarely a concern, except in extreme cases (which this wasn't even close). I don't think I have ever been concerned for the actual airframe in 16 years of flying.

My biggest suggestion you guys have already identified--keep your belt on whenever you are seated, whether or not the belt sign is on. We do everything we can to turn the belt sign is on, and the FA's are seated whenever we think there is a reasonable likelyhood of some bumps, but ultimately we are dealing with nature. We can fly into an area with no forecast turb, and no prior reports, but still, on occasion, hit unexpected bumps.

Oh yeah, I love Mayday too. Of course it is still sensationalized, though not too bad, but there is always lots to learn from accident investigation. Just probably not the best viewing while in flight

[KTown]

With my old job I use to live on an airplane.

I've experienced turbulence like that in Indonesia, Australia and the Pacific.

One time we hit such bad turbulence all the oxygen masks fell down, now thats re-assuring.

I've flown on russian trupolov planes without the russian airport staff deicing the plane, and we all know that those planes fall out of the sky. Not to mention the plane was so old it had wooden fold down tables.

I've also had a plane nose dive on me once to avoid a mid air condition that was when I was in Iran.

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by The Bismarck

I dont quite get Flights from Pearson to YYC. Why does it take 3 hours, 20 minutes from YYC to Pearson, yet nearly 5 hours from Pearson to YYC? I remember this summer, going to Toronto we had a top speed somewhere close to 600 MPH, but coming back, it hovered around 420 MPH...

I have flown to and from Toronto about 10 round trips! It's because there generally is a serious headwind when you are headed west, and vice versa.

[4X4]

I flew to TO a couple weeks ago and we hit some pretty awesome turbulence. It was fun... For me, anyway. The woman beside me didn't enjoy it quite so much. It's good to know that the plane isn't running the risk of having the wings snap off just because it drops a few hundred feet.

But I think Gary Larson explained the true reason behind turbulence in one of his cartoons. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find a link, but true Far Side fans know exactly what I'm talking about.

[vicphoenix13]

Originally Posted by The Bismarck

I dont quite get Flights from Pearson to YYC. Why does it take 3 hours, 20 minutes from YYC to Pearson, yet nearly 5 hours from Pearson to YYC? I remember this summer, going to Toronto we had a top speed somewhere close to 600 MPH, but coming back, it hovered around 420 MPH...

There is no way a flight from Toronto to Calgary should take five hours. Heck, a flight from Toronto to Vancouver takes four and a half hours.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by vicphoenix13

There is no way a flight from Toronto to Calgary should take five hours. Heck, a flight from Toronto to Vancouver takes four and a half hours.

With the busy airport of YYZ, u may be holding short of a runway for quite some time

The strength of the headwinds may also alter flight times...

a flight like that at almost 5 hours, is not at all surprising

[4X4]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

With the busy airport of YYZ, u may be holding short of a runway for quite some time

I'm pretty sure that people are talking about in air time. Not time sitting on the tarmac, waiting for a runway to take off.




In my experience, flying to TO is only slightly faster than flying back. The difference is less than half an hour.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Unless you are going to the bathroom (in which case you are funked), I see no reason to take off your seatbelt during flight. Minor turbulence happens all the time, and on the off chance you get hit with the big stuff it's nice to have.

That is exactly what happened to me. On a flight to Aus (we were on the Honolulu to Sydney leg of the trip) we hit some major turbulance. I don't mind a little bit of it, (in fact I find it kind of interesting and fun) but this was way worse then anything I had ever experienced and I was getting a little nervous. Anyway, after about ten minutes, the turbulance stopped and the fasten seat belt sign came off. So waitng a few more minutes to make sure, I got up to use the washroom. (guess all the motion shook it out of me, lol) Well you can guess what happened next. I'm just finshing up when, BOOM crazy turbulance again and I got bounced around the washroom a bit. I went running back to my seat and put my seat belt on. No damage, but really shaken up for sure.

But yeah, whenever I'm in my seat, the belt is on.

[Gugstanley]

Several people have given great advice. Wear the seatbelt unless you have to get up. Can't tell you how many times it has felt like the airplane was being shot down because of turbulance. Airplanes are pretty flexible and can take a lot

[T@T]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Not neccesarily the jet stream, just the upper winds. Right now they are showing an 80 knot wind at cruise level (from the west). This translates to a 150 km/hr head wind when flying from toronto to calgary and tailwind in the other direction. Makes a big difference in speed from travelling in one direction versus another. http://www.flightplanning.navcanada....D_FL340-e.html
Hope the link works.

The upper level winds are nearly stationary, it's actually the spin of the earth relative to the air that creates the "wind". Hope this clears it up somewhat Bismarck.

Yep,people forget as your sitting at your PC right now your moving around 745mph.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by KTown

With my old job I use to live on an airplane.

I've experienced turbulence like that in Indonesia, Australia and the Pacific.

One time we hit such bad turbulence all the oxygen masks fell down, now thats re-assuring.

I've flown on russian trupolov planes without the russian airport staff deicing the plane, and we all know that those planes fall out of the sky. Not to mention the plane was so old it had wooden fold down tables.

I've also had a plane nose dive on me once to avoid a mid air condition that was when I was in Iran.

Sounds like an adventuruous job... what kind of job was it?




...I hate my cubicle. I want to travel like that and somehow get paid for it, haha...