MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Normal takeoff and climbout until about 24;000 FT when both the Captain and myself became aware of a loss of cabin altitude control. ATC was notified; an emergency was declared; and the flight descended to 10;000 FT and returned to the departure airport for a normal landing. QRH and normal checklists were referenced.
An MD82 lost pressurization at FL240 after takeoff so an emergency was declared; the QRH procedure completed; and the aircraft returned to the departure airport.