9/21/07 SLC-DEN UA6612 and DEN-SLC UA387

[Hunter75]

UA 6612 departs SLC at 0615 in a CR7
UA 387 departs DEN at 2040 in a 733

Thanks for the forecast!

[tb_neg]

I admit this one is a difficult one to forecast, but it could be anywhere from smooth to some light-moderate (see this http://www.turbulenceforecast.com/blog/2007/09/18/a-realistic-in-flight-turbulence-video/ (http://www.turbulenceforecast.com/forums/../blog/2007/09/18/a-realistic-in-flight-turbulence-video/)
blog post)

I wish I could be more specific on this one, but many times a forecast will seem very concrete to me, it just doesn't in this case.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it'll be closer to the smoother side of the scale, and nothing terribly bumpy.

Please post when you are done flying back and forth.


UA 6612 departs SLC at 0615 in a CR7
UA 387 departs DEN at 2040 in a 733

Thanks for the forecast!

[tb_neg]

I like your flight memory map. I've got to ask, with all those flights, can you speak to how often you've encountered turbulence, also commenting on it's severity? I would think you have a lot of insight with a map like that.

[Hunter75]

Thanks for the forecast. I'll let you know how tomorrow goes.

That map is still missing about 2.5 years worth of flights. These were years where I averaged about 130 flights each; I'm still trying to get my OnePass records from Continental so I can add them. : )

It seems since moving to the Mountain West from the East Coast I hit turbulence more often, which is to be expected. I also think the increase in RJ flights since 9/11 has added to the increase in bumps (or at least feeling them). I would say most turbulence I encounter is light and usually short lived. I commuted for a while from SLC to SGU, and going in on those EMB-120s in the summer made for some pretty wild rides, but I think the geography, airport, equipment and heat are pretty unique for that situation.

I can really only recall one flight where I was extremely uncomfortable with what I would consider moderate to heavy turbulence for an extended period. It was last year on US from DFW-PHX. We maxed out the altitude in the 733 and were still in the clouds with lightening on either side of us. The Capt kept the FAs seated for almost the entire flight. Some people cried, and I had a bruise on my arm from where the lady next to me was clutching me. Not fun.

[Hunter75]

SLC-DEN flight was mostly smooth. A little light chop here and there along the way. FO turned on the seat belt sign as we started our descent due to reports of turbulence in the area. It was pretty rough heading down over the front range, but that's to be expected on any DEN flight.

DEN-SLC, as far as I could tell was smooth; I slept most of the flight.

Our arrival in SLC was pretty cool. As we made our descent over Provo and turned north toward the airport in SLC, ATC cleared all traffic and gave us a priority approach. Upon landing, we turned off the runway and were escorted in to our gate by 8 airport police cars and trucks with lights and sirens blaring. This was in recognition of the almost 30 military men and women aboard our flight returning from an 18 month tour of duty in Kabul, Afghanistan. Everyone remained seated and allowed the soldiers to deplane to a thunderous applause in recognition of their service.

The soldier seated behind me told me his wife was 4 months pregnant when he left, so he was quite anxious to meet his year old daughter for the first time. It was quite moving.

[tb_neg]

What a fantastic end to the flight; did they tell you they were doing this? I can imagine that some passengers might of freaked out on such a landing without advanced notice.

[Hunter75]

Yes, they did announce it on approach. I was a little concerned at first because I was listening to the pilot's communication with ATC on Channel 9. We were given priority routing, then the pilot asked about the escort. I wasn't sure what was going on, but then he announced the plan to all passengers.

With her post landing announcement, the FA reminded everyone that they should not be alarmed.