Skywest 24W

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/SKW24W/history/20080930/2004Z/KSLC/KPIH

There was a disabled aircraft on one runway, and the RJ wasn’t authorized by the company to use the other, so they “held” at 6500MSL (2000 AGL). I was surprised that they did not use the published hold on PIH 269 radial, especially when they passed 700’ above me although I thought they were 3 or 4 miles away.

Regardless of what the published hold was, did you hear what their clearance was?

It was just “Hold at 6500,” far from a full holding clearance. Pocatello is a VFR tower and can’t issue a hold. But the RJ can’t cancel IFR, so…

hmmm… I wonder if they just held on the inbound course of the runway they were waiting for to open up?

They flew to the VOR (about 3 miles out on runway heading) and did a direct entry on the indbound radial, right turns, just like they were supposed to in a lost comms situation. But they weren’t lost comms.

The passengers got some nice views of the American Falls Reservoir.