It seems that some forget that the elements of the emergency in the loss of
pressurization depends on circumstances. If you blow out a window, the cabin
is chaos due to wind and turbulence inside. This is one side of the coin.

On the other hand, a pressure system failure without any airframe failure
may only require an emergency descent to a non-pressure altitude. Then one
may descend either VFR or IFR (depending on weather) without a continuing
emergency. Of course, the high terrain around Reno creates a problem of its
own. But since non-pressurized and non-oxygen-equipped planes routinely
operate there, the key part of the emergency is to get down to non-oxygen
altitude ON A PROPER APPROACH PATH TO THE AIRPORT, or ON A PROPER
NON-OXYGEN-REQUIRING ROUTE TOWARD THE DESTINATION.

Once that situation has been achieved, the emergency has been resolved, and
routine non-oxygen flight ops may be undertaken. Of course, ATC may not
understand an in-flight resolution of the emergency, but that is their
problem.

I applaud the in-flight management that was achieved. It was safe, within
the FAR's and decisive. That is an example for all pilots.

Ted Noel
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