United international flight diverted because pilot forgot his passport

[y_p_w]

I guess you can't make this up. I don't think $15 gets anyone much at SFO.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/united-flight-diverted-pilot-passport-20238036.php​

A United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai was diverted to San Francisco over the weekend after one of the pilots forgot to bring their passport for the international flight.​

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The Boeing 787-9, carrying 257 passengers and a 13-person crew, landed at San Francisco International Airport shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday. The airline arranged for a new crew to continue the flight.​

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“On Saturday, United flight 198 from Los Angeles to Shanghai landed at San Francisco International Airport as the pilot did not have their passport onboard,” a United spokesperson said in a statement. “We arranged for a new crew to take our customers to their destination that evening. Customers were provided with meal vouchers and compensation.”​

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https://viewfromthewing.com/united-...ek-operates-shanghai-flight-without-passport/​

Saturday’s United Airlines flight 198 to was forced divert to San Francisco because a pilot forgot to bring his passport on the trip. Passengers received $15 meal vouchers when they landed in San Francisco. Here’s the message that the airline sent to passengers:​

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UA198 SFO-PVG: Your flight diverted to San Francisco due to an unexpected crew-related issue requiring a new crew. Once they arrive, we’ll get you back on your way to Shanghai as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for this disruption and appreciate your patience.​

 

[dishdude]

Passengers received $15 meal vouchers when they landed in San Francisco.

 

[y_p_w]

Won't even buy a pint of Pliny the Elder at Gott's Roadside in International Terminal A. That being said, these prices are only marginally higher than their non-airport locations.

 

[Propflux01]

Chips, Coke, and a smile...

 

[tbm5690]

Somewhat related...just yesterday my dad made it through airport security despite forgetting his ID. Domestic flight of course, but color me surprised that TSA could still get him through and on to the flight. He had a picture of his passport on his phone, which was useless, but he just so happened to have his checkbook and that combined with a business card was enough! They asked him questions about where his SS card was issued, which he couldn't even answer because he was born in Belgium and once state-side my grandparents moved around constantly so he had it narrowed down to about 3 states . My wife just send his driver's license to him via UPS for the way back.

 

[Hall]

Couldn't they have just made the pilot stay / sleep in the airport, like in The Terminal ?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I forget my work badge sometimes but this is on a whole different level

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

Trust me, the number of things you have to remember to bring with you to work is a lot and I am actually surprised more pilots don't forget stuff.

I have a place where I put all my stuff between work shifts and I told my family , never touch or move any of it.

Before I head out the door for work, I go through a quick check to make sure I have everything.

Watch me forget something next flight.

 

[y_p_w]

Couldn't they have just made the pilot stay / sleep in the airport, like in The Terminal ?

I saw a documentary series on Australia's border agency (and said agency has gone through several name changes). One episode included an American couple where one guy couldn't find his passport, having likely lost it on the plane. But they were able to contact the US Consulate-General in Sydney, which verified his citizenship, passport number, etc. They could match that to his visa and allowed him in. Not sure what they might have issued to him in lieu of a passport stamp. I'd think he probably headed straight for the consulate to get an emergency replacement passport.

 

[Astro14]

I forget my work badge sometimes but this is on a whole different level

It’s actually the exact same thing. On the same level.

That pilot needed to remember his work badge, passport, medical certificate, license, and radio telephone operator permit.

You forget one thing, and it happens to you “sometimes” but he needed to remember everything, every time.

Because, unlike you, he could be imprisoned on arrival without his passport, while you just get a bit of grief from the boss.

You’re right, a whole different level. Much more to remember, and much more serious consequences.’

Even if the authorities didn’t imprison him (and this is China, so, that’s always a possibility) and merely held him at the airport, he would then be illegal (no rest) for the return flight - which would cause that return flight to be canceled.

So, faced with a cancellation of the return flight PVD-SFO, or bringing this flight back to SFO mid flight, and re-crewing it, bringing this flight back was the clearly better option.

 

[4WD]

I have a pre-trip checklist on my iPhone - but I think this must happen now and again bcs I have had several Limo Drivers say “got your passport?” …

 

[dishdude]

Check the expiration date and number of pages left too, some countries require 6 months left before expiration or 2 blank consecutive pages for the visa and stamps.

 

[Escape08]

For a small fee, the pilot could have overnight his passport via DHL, FedEx or UPS

 

[y_p_w]

So, faced with a cancellation of the return flight PVD-SFO, or bringing this flight back to SFO mid flight, and re-crewing it, bringing this flight back was the clearly better option.

It was LAX-PVD, although I suppose the return flight could have been to a different airport. There hasn't been any reported explanation of why they diverted to SFO. Maybe crew availability?

 

[GON]

Somewhat related...just yesterday my dad made it through airport security despite forgetting his ID. Domestic flight of course, but color me surprised that TSA could still get him through and on to the flight. He had a picture of his passport on his phone, which was useless, but he just so happened to have his checkbook and that combined with a business card was enough! They asked him questions about where his SS card was issued, which he couldn't even answer because he was born in Belgium and once state-side my grandparents moved around constantly so he had it narrowed down to about 3 states . My wife just send his driver's license to him via UPS for the way back.

It is reported that with so many people in the U.S. without required identification to pass security at a commercial airport, TSA is allowing passengers without required identification documents to pass security and board commercial airlines without the identification requirements published by TSA.

 

[GON]

Nu

It was LAX-PVD, although I suppose the return flight could have been to a different airport. There hasn't been any reported explanation of why they diverted to SFO. Maybe crew availability?

Numerous reasons. Sfo to pvg is shorter air miles than lax pvd (OOA 300 miles). Fuel burn from lax to.sfo to reduce landing weight. , and as you inquired reserve crew availability. I am sure @Astro14 will have numerous other reasons.

 

[Astro14]

It was LAX-PVD, although I suppose the return flight could have been to a different airport. There hasn't been any reported explanation of why they diverted to SFO. Maybe crew availability?

Crew availability, closer airport, gate availability, combination of all of those. For certain, once the LAX PVD flight is in the air, the “great circle” route puts it much closer to SFO.

 

[SC Maintenance]

On family trips we sit in the driveway and quiz each other. Did you pack this. Did you pack that. They should implement that on the pre-flight checklist

Years ago I went to Germany and forgot my drivers license. A lot different I know, but I was not able to rent a car on landing. Luckily I was able to take the train to my first destination (German trains are awesome anyway) and have my wife overnight it so I could continue on later.

 

[Astro14]

Let’s examine what I am talking about. First, throw out your map. They’re useless. The Mercator projection distorts everything.

The shortest distance between two points across the surface of a sphere is a line defined by a plane that goes through the center of the sphere. The line on a globe is straight, if you look at the globe so that the center, and the two points, are in the same plane.

It looks like this:

A straight line. On a map, it looks like a big arc, conventionally called a “great circle” but that’s because maps are projecting a spherical surface onto a flat one, and there are distortions.

Let’s zoom in on the West Coast a bit. Same route. Just zoomed in. Look how close this flight is to SFO. SFO is much closer.

Now, there are some practical realities about air traffic routes, and slight adjustments for wind, but this is about the pure geometry of the flight.

 

[BrendanC]

It is reported that with so many people in the U.S. without required identification to pass security at a commercial airport, TSA is allowing passengers without required identification documents to pass security and board commercial airlines without the identification requirements published by TSA.

meanwhile the last flight out of Tulsa, OK told me my twic was not a valid form of ID then claimed my drivers license was fake. held me up for an hour before a manager got there and let me though.