holy fuck

[rushthatspeaks]

Okay, I have to link to the most impressive human feat of anything I've seen in quite a while:

A Delta flight successfully makes the NYC-San Juan-NYC run in the teeth of Hurricane Irma.

They flew out between the arm of the hurricane and the body of the storm. Intentionally. Because their dispatching called it correctly. The flight spent only fifty-two minutes on the ground at SJU, and left fully loaded.

There are some pilots, ground crew, dispatchers, and tower staff there who I devoutly hope never have to buy their own drinks in a bar ever again. I would not have believed that was possible.

Things must have been extremely tense for the ticketed passengers; it takes some guts to get on a plane that's pulling that kind of maneuver. Whoof.

Comments

[sovay]

A Delta flight successfully makes the NYC-San Juan-NYC run in the teeth of Hurricane Irma.

I just saw that. I was very, understatement, impressed.

[nineweaving]

Saw that. Some flying!

Nine

[tessercat]

...Wow.

But what was so urgent that people needed to get TO to the island before the storm? I can understand evacuating....

[rushthatspeaks]

I have no idea if there even was anyone on it on the way down. In the face of hurricanes, most airlines try desperately to get planes in and out as fast as possible until and even after the last possible moment. They'd be making the run even if they were empty on the NYC -> SJU leg.

[tessercat]

Oh, good point. I read your comment about ticketed passengers and my brain assumed it was for the flight down for some reason.

It was a ferociously epic flight, that's for sure.

[thistleingrey]

This is a Good Thing for Today. Thanks for sharing it--I wouldn't have seen it otherwise.

[conuly]

Wow.

[jesse_the_k]

!!!!1

[luzula]

This is unconnected to your post--just saying hi and letting you know that I am adding you to my reading list! I've been occasionally checking your journal for years, so maybe it's time to actually follow it. I've especially enjoyed your book reviews. Don't feel obligated to follow me back, of course. : )