American Flight Diverts After Crew Loses Communication, Pilots Hear Banging On Cockpit Door

Halloween is next week.

Cockpit is not for trick or treat.
That is until you remove humans from it.

I know the doors are secure, and FA's don't want to be yelling in a plane, but are the doors that soundproof that you can't talk loudly through it or slide a note under it?
I had a Delta flight earlier this year that was delayed because of a broken PA system. After about an hour, they determined it would take them much longer to fix it and to DL's credit, got us a new plane right away.

I thought there were cameras so the cockpit can see the cabin. They couldn’t signal that way?

Smart FAs huh. Loss of phone communications, so let's bang on the door with no other signals of what's going on. I'm sure that'll make the pilots feel that all is well and under control.

'How many times old man...'

Intercom broken? Sounds like a maintenance issue. If we had EU 261 style air passenger right legislation in the USA, those affected passengers should be paid for that inconvenience. 4 hours late. Approx. distance (OMA-LAX) 1800mi/3,000km. Equivalent compensation, ~$300/passenger.

No, such regulations and consumer protections do not bankrupt airlines or raise prices (see Ryanair in Europe, dirt cheap fares, still profitable.) No, travel insurance isn't enough (many policies limit to delays in excess, like 50% of your trip, +72 hours, etc., so read the fine-print.)

If the FAA/DOT, etc. can get something like this done, Congress may need to (oh brother, well, when the adults are back in-charge, please do something.) And, among all the topics in this field (aviation, travel, cards, society, etc.) this is the hill I would die on. We deserve better.

Some people like to watch... niccce.

And to those who still doubt... recall, you pay a premium for specific dates, times, class of service, etc. If these businesses profit off selling you those services, but then fail to maintain their aircraft, that's them taking a zero-interest loan from you (if they later cancel the flight, refund you, etc.) Our time is valuable. If they fail, and it's under their control, they should pay up.

That's impressive that any airline 'got you a new plane right away.' Consider yourself incredibly lucky. Usually airlines don't keep spare aircraft or crews just sitting around incase 'pstm91' is flying that particular day/route.

Things that crew doesn't have on preflight checklists: Make sure intercom works.

what are they to do instead? just let the entire flight happen with no intercom system? no way to communicate between the FAs and pilots?

I like to watch Apple TV, 1990 …. that is why I am certain that you are a “Company” man …. 🙂

Esk, at it again …. 🙂

After the ditching of ALM 980 in 1970, an inop PA system became a no go item. Perhaps a blown fuse after take off?

Communication between Cockpit and cabin crew is mission-critical. "Single point of failure" is not a good look.

This situation discussed at one of my recurrent training events at american airlines due to a loss of pa system. The approved solution: pound on door to gain attention, then pass note under door to effect communication. Evaluate, and proceed accordingly.

What will be the procedure once aircraft are equipped with a second security door to the cockpit? This "security theater" door will likely create more problems.

If it's a short flight, why not just let it continue and land normally and be out of communication between pilots and cabin? Is there something that urgently requires banging on the door, such that misinterpreting that will lead the plane being landed immediately?

But it wasn't a short flight so what's the point of your comment?

And in what world would a flight where there is no ability to communicate between the cabin and the pilots a good idea? What if there is an emergency?

What a disgraceful inconvenience for a simple breakdown.

Maybe a coded knock or something is called for? It's weird tho if the intercom / PA systems were completely broken in all directions (announcements, handsets, etc).

Bluetooth devices or even normal cellular communication would have worked in those low thousands of feet (yes, they're supposed to be off, but considering the circumstances)...

Embraer E175s cockpit door doesn't have a Peephole? Pilot could see whos banging on the door.

I was on this flight. I don’t know how many passengers knew what was happening in the moment because there were no announcements. I was worried about the plane at first, then worried about the pilot because I thought that’s where there may’ve been a medical issue, but I didn’t get really nervous until we landed and were surrounded by police. At the point the “danger” was over in reality but I didn’t know if there was a threat on the plane thats the only time I was shaken.

I think we were all annoyed at the delay and how long it took for them to make a decision and move the plane around. But I don’t think anyone was mad at what happened, the pilots were trying to protect us. The original FAs bolted, delaying the flight by another hour. Some other SkyWest FAs came over after landing on a Delta Connection flight. Same pilots took us.

I got an automated email from American today saying the were sorry for the delay but no comp (yet). Also there was no drinks or snacks offered as we sat on the plane for 2+ hours or in the terminal with all retail outlets closed. That’s not a surprise from American to be honest and I’m an Exec Plat, I don’t say this with animus just acceptance.