Author Topic: Lifeguard Status  (Read 8561 times)

Offline timtiernan

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Lifeguard Status
« on: July 18, 2011, 03:17:23 PM »
Had occasion to ride on a transcon designated Lifeguard xxx. (we were carrying a kidney.)  All across the US we were given priority handling, except with NY approach. There, it was business as usual, a long vector out over the ocean, slow to 210kts, followed by a long downwind, base and a 25 mile final.  Why is JFK so obdurate?

All thoughts welcome.



Offline klkm

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Re: Lifeguard Status
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2011, 07:18:32 AM »
Lifeguard flights are given priority to the greatest extent possible.   Its possible there was an emergency in front of you taking your priority away, or any number of other things going on.  We do have priority routes into the metro area for lifeguard flights and the tracon is usually flexible if you push the need for priority handling for an urgent situation.  JFK is a very busy airport and your priority got you in without holding, you should be happy with that.

Offline bjen9337

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Re: Lifeguard Status
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2011, 11:19:08 AM »
In order to save me time looking up the word "obdurant" in the dictionary, WTH does it mean? :? :-D :mrgreen:

Offline Dngnkeeper

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Re: Lifeguard Status
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2011, 04:32:11 PM »
ob·du·rate  (bd-rt, -dy-)
adj.
1.
a. Hardened in wrongdoing or wickedness; stubbornly impenitent: "obdurate conscience of the old sinner" (Sir Walter Scott).
b. Hardened against feeling; hardhearted: an obdurate miser.
2. Not giving in to persuasion; intractable. See Synonyms at inflexible.

Offline timtiernan

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Re: Lifeguard Status
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2011, 02:01:43 PM »
Lifeguard flights are given priority to the greatest extent possible.   Its possible there was an emergency in front of you taking your priority away, or any number of other things going on.  We do have priority routes into the metro area for lifeguard flights and the tracon is usually flexible if you push the need for priority handling for an urgent situation.  JFK is a very busy airport and your priority got you in without holding, you should be happy with that.

No emergency at any time on all the approach and tower freqs.  No holding heard on any freqs.  But, having made this flight often, our handling was the same as always, even though each call announced our lifeguard status.  My understanding is that this is one level below an emergency.