Huh, I always just assumed there was some sort of "emergency" procedure for flight staff, in a case like that. Them having to wait in the international area of the airport and getting some sort of temporary pass, or them being on a list, which exempts you from needing a pass as long as you don't leave the airport. Because what do they do, if they notice something later, when they're after the point, where they've got enough fuel for a return, or if they notice after landing?
Likewise, the international arrivals section of the airport before border control feels almost like a little pool of international waters, to the point that sales taxes work differently in there.
I assume if the pilot was scheduled to immediately fly back out they could have gotten away without the passport, but was actually due to stay at the destination for a day or two.
Agreed. My first thought is "well, sorry pilot but you just get to stay on the plane then and fly back immediately." Why turn the whole flight back? Something seems suspicious.
Pilots aren't allowed to fly more then x amt of hours in a certain time frame. So considering this was from USA to Shanghai iirc, they would have to at least stay a full day I think
The pilot could contact the American embassy in whatever country and get a new passport. Pilot just didn't want to waste xim or xer's own time waiting around for it for hours.
From what I've read, the plane was headed to Shanghai, and China doesn't accept temporary or emergency documents. Even if China did accept emergency passports, it definitely won't allow entry without a crew visa.
It was a calculated risk. The pilot would rather piss off passengers than risk getting detained in China.
Same. Or that they do the same thing they do for the passengers. They have to get their passports verified at the gate by a gate agent to make sure they're valid and signed.
Huh, I always just assumed there was some sort of "emergency" procedure for flight staff, in a case like that. Them having to wait in the international area of the airport and getting some sort of temporary pass, or them being on a list, which exempts you from needing a pass as long as you don't leave the airport. Because what do they do, if they notice something later, when they're after the point, where they've got enough fuel for a return, or if they notice after landing?
I assumed the samething
Likewise, the international arrivals section of the airport before border control feels almost like a little pool of international waters, to the point that sales taxes work differently in there.
I assume if the pilot was scheduled to immediately fly back out they could have gotten away without the passport, but was actually due to stay at the destination for a day or two.
Agreed. My first thought is "well, sorry pilot but you just get to stay on the plane then and fly back immediately." Why turn the whole flight back? Something seems suspicious.
Pilots aren't allowed to fly more then x amt of hours in a certain time frame. So considering this was from USA to Shanghai iirc, they would have to at least stay a full day I think
The pilot could contact the American embassy in whatever country and get a new passport. Pilot just didn't want to waste xim or xer's own time waiting around for it for hours.
Having recently renewed my passport and paid extra for "expedited" processing, the pilot will get his new passport in about four weeks.
But that's for a normal passport. Same-day issuing emergency passports at embassies is a real thing.
You've sent me down a rabbit hole.
From what I've read, the plane was headed to Shanghai, and China doesn't accept temporary or emergency documents. Even if China did accept emergency passports, it definitely won't allow entry without a crew visa.
It was a calculated risk. The pilot would rather piss off passengers than risk getting detained in China.
Same. Or that they do the same thing they do for the passengers. They have to get their passports verified at the gate by a gate agent to make sure they're valid and signed.