Continental Express flight diverted to Los Alamos

Was the plane running low on fuel or something?
Don't they usually just circle the airport until the storms clear up enough to land?

They were running out of fuel according to the article.

What a weird combo of events. What a weird place to be diverted to. What is the altitude of Los Alamos?

I can understand taking a bus after that flight. Speaking of which a very long time ago I took a flight from Miami to Newark. VERY rough flight. Bounced all over the place all the way up. After the flight I saw the pilot waiting with some of us while waiting for a shuttle. Smoking a cigarette with very shaky hands.

Glad it turned out okay. Sounds like it might so easily have been a bad scene.

I've flown lots throughout my life on many types of aircraft. It's just fine with me if I never fly again. My number may be comin' up. And it's not much fun anymore.

Dunno, but I think the altitude of Los Alamos is a several hundred feet more than Santa Fe.

I have taken flight 2025 a few times. I hate those little EJ 50 seaters. It's like flying in an empty dough tube. I think they put just enough fuel on them to get where they are going.

soft landing wrote:

Glad it turned out okay. Sounds like it might so easily have been a bad scene.
I've flown lots throughout my life on many types of aircraft. It's just fine with me if I never fly again. My number may be comin' up. And it's not much fun anymore.
Dunno, but I think the altitude of Los Alamos is a several hundred feet more than Santa Fe.

Just checked. Santa Fe is 6273.6 and Los Alamos is 7088. Leadville, Co is supposed to be the highest in the country at 14,433. Jeez, that is high.

Mr. Monday & Odin,
Commercial aircraft carry a lot more fuel than just getting from Point A to Point B. There's usually enough fuel for extended holding patterns and diverting to an alternate airport. Strong headwinds burn fuel at a faster rate, so staying in a holding pattern for a long time doesn't always make sense. If the Sunport and SAF were both being buffeted by the winds continuing a holding pattern is like being stuck in neutral: there's a good chance you won't be getting to your final destination any time soon. And there aren't that many airports within a short distance that meet minimum standards for that type of aircraft. Rather than divert to commercial airports at Roswell, Clovis, Farmington, El Paso, etc., Los Alamos would be a logical choice ... it used to have commercial service, the runway could handle the EMB-145, buses were nearby (probably out of SAF) and the drive time to ABQ was reasonable. The empty aircraft could easily be ferried to the Sunport once the winds died down and it was safe to do so.
The EMB-145 isn't the most comfortable RJ around but it does have one neat feature: 2+1 seating rather than 2+2. That way not as many people feel squished.

soft landing wrote:

Glad it turned out okay. Sounds like it might so easily have been a bad scene.
I've flown lots throughout my life on many types of aircraft. It's just fine with me if I never fly again. My number may be comin' up. And it's not much fun anymore.
Dunno, but I think the altitude of Los Alamos is a several hundred feet more than Santa Fe.

You're far more likely to die during the drive to the airport.

Robert C wrote:

<quoted text>
You're far more likely to die during the drive to the airport.

Logically, I know this is true, from the perspective of general statistics. But I do have control behind the wheel of my car that I don't have as a plane passenger. I've had many pleasant flights over the years, but some bad weather scariness too. Never been hurt. But would prefer not to risk it anymore.

I might be more tempted though if flying were still fun. But it is not. At least not IMO. For me, now it seems just something unpleasant to endure in order to travel fast or far. The long waiting, the inspections, the rules, the crowded cabin seating, even the less polite flight attendants. If I have to fly more, and I will try to work around that, then I will insist on business class, though that will not eliminate many negatives. I hope to go back to France and Italy and also to Africa in about three years from now and I'm gonna try to do it all by trains and boat. I know there are negatives there too, but all in all, I think I will be happier on board them. Inside the US, I'm sticking to ground transport. I don't care at this point if it takes more time.

Dave Nelson wrote:

<quoted text>
Just checked. Santa Fe is 6273.6 and Los Alamos is 7088. Leadville, Co is supposed to be the highest in the country at 14,433. Jeez, that is high.

Yeah, Leadville is really high. One needs a little time to adjust to the altitude there. I've been there three times, doubt I'll ever get back. I think it might be more difficult to land a plane there. As far as I know, they still don't have a landing strip. Doubt they ever will. And would take away from the charm factor.

i posted vid of it taking off. looked like it had no trouble. look up los alamos airport on facebook