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Sky Is the Limit: Why Even Sunny Days Can Ground Airplanes
I don't typically read the Wall Street Journal (call me a leftist liberal), but its Fridays edition cover page caught my eye: "Why Even Sunny Days Can Ground Airplanes," the title says. That is a question that's been on my mind lately as I sit on the tarmac for hours trying to figure out what the problem is (see my recent complaints about a clear-weather cancellation I had on Delta). I have long suspected that the way the airline industry works is about as straightforward and transparent as the healthcare administration in the U.S. (me: leftist liberal). Back to the story though. On Thursday, President Bush met with Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters to discuss the reasons for air transportation problems: from old air-traffic technology, and the growing number of corporate and regional jets, to labor tensions among traffic controllers, and overscheduling by airlines. The one fundamental shortcoming seems to be obvious: There are too many planes in the air, especially on the East Coast, and the airspace is choked with traffic. Contrary to popular belief, the sky has a limit. Yet, airlines continue to schedule more flights, even while using fewer total aircraft and employees than in the 1990s boom, and they fill their schedules with smaller, regional jets to save on fuel. Plus, there has been a massive rise in small, private-jet travel (200+ passenger jets often wait in queue with 10-person private jets).
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Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cbct3d Jun 8th 2008 8:41PM
Sometimes those "blue sky" weather delays are the result of delays at the point of origin of your plane. If the plane you are taking to San Juan is delayed inbound from Chicago due to snow, even though it's clear in Miami where you're waiting, guess what.... you're stuck! What I WOULD appreciate is being told the TRUTH, so I know if I should look for alternate plans or wait patiently (which I CAN do, IF I know what my options are!). I recently spent an extra night in Chicago due to weather delays, waiting for a flight to LAX. The weather delays were from the inbound plane coming from Pennsylvania. Two other LAX-bound flights left because their inbounds came from other cities where there were no weather delays. My plane finally arrived almost 7 hours later - after midnight - and was then cancelled at the gate because the crew's available flight time had run out. I have no problem with the crew not flying because they had been in the air too long (or even sitting on a runway), and they deserved a rest; I DO have a BIG problem that United was apparently unable or unwilling to keep track of this - they should KNOW who the flight crew will be and if they are qualified to fly at any given hour. It was inexcusable for United to keep their passengers (and some of their flight crew, too!) waiting at the gate for almost 8 hours, knowing within the last 2-3 hours that the crew they had scheduled would be unable to fly. It wouldn't take too much of an effort to write a program that would start a flight crew's flying time on an internally-available computer countdown clock so something like this won't happen again. Scenario: Plane won't land until midnight? Check. I see on this program that the copilot will time out at 1:00am, so we can't use him on a cross-country flight. Let's find somebody else to copilot (or announce 3 hours earlier that the flight is not going so pax can rebook) What's so difficult about THAT?
scarlet Jun 9th 2008 1:03PM
The good news is that airlines do use a program for that and they are quite good at figuring all that out. The problem is that you don't know everything going on behind the scenes. True scenario: I worked a flight going into SFO. I was supposed to turn around and return home for my last leg. Bad weather in SFO called for a ground stop that lasted from 8am to 3pm. No flights coming in, or going out. I got home just barely legal to fly (and paid no more for my time). But if the ground stop had gone on further, where would they have gotten a Flight Attendant from? All reserves are not sitting at an airport waiting to take a flight--if they were they would go over the legal limits also. No one is flying in-- so they can't pull from another domicile? In SFO that day even the freeways were not reliable. So ground personnel are just praying that the ground stop will be lifted before the crew is illegal. And if the flight gets off before then--you would never know. Weather affects positioning of planes and crew. You can't pull off miracles and make either appear where and when you want them. Both are subject to the same kind of stranding that you experienced. (I have sat for hours and days sitting in a remote airport waiting to get home for missed appointments, family events--believe me if I had that kind of magic, I would have made it happen.)
I have yet to fly one single leg where my crew didn't have the best interests of the passengers governing their decisions. Every weather warning that I know of was legitimate and covered in our crew briefing (professional decisions--not some unprofessional, behind-the-scenes "let's-tell-em-this" crookery.) And yet I've seen suit and tie professionals yell and rant about airline safety decisions. It's like a pilot on the street telling a CEO how to run their company. Everyone has a story, we shouldn't be so quick to judge. I for one give my passengers the benefit of the doubt in every single instance. That means, if you yell at me, I'm going to smile at you and offer you a bottle of water, a pillow, a listening ear. Most likely you got bumped on a flight, had a bad TSA experience, are heading out for a funeral...who knows what. People are basically good. On both sides of the street.
greypound Oct 2nd 2007 7:21AM
After an emergency landing in London Gatwick due to a fire on board, British Airways informed us that it was due to "bad weather" on a lovely winter morning. Try telling that to the firemen that borded.
greypound Oct 2nd 2007 7:30AM
Arriving in London Gatwick, an emergency landing due the plane taking fire, we were later informed that this was due to bad weather on a beautiful winter morning - try telling that to the firefighters who came onboard and the travellers in coach who had their oxygen masks unfold.
John Jon Oct 2nd 2007 8:37AM
I think it is funny how everyone has a comment about everything. As an airline pilot I can tell you there is much more to it than what anyone who is not in the business can see. "Bad Weather" doesn't have to mean where you are now, it could be over a departure fix, at your destination, or enroute. You take off and then you have to get vectored around, or hold for hours in the air. At least you have options on the ground. My vote is to just start taking off into the storms, blast right through, let you use your sick sack, see what white knuckles really look like, and then all you travelers with your comments and bad attitudes will be happy when we make a decision that has your BEST safety interests in mind.
Don Beatty Oct 2nd 2007 8:41AM
My comments are not related to scheduling or weather delays but that the airlines do not allow a purchaser to receive a refund or sell this ticket if they are unable to complete their travel and DO NOT wish to rebook a flight on the same airline, especially if the tickets as "unrefundable." Is there any other provider of services to the general public that is allowed by our government to operate with such a policy? No, I think not. If I purchase a car, a television, a lawnmower, etc., and wish to sell it to someone else - no problem. Also, the airlines routinely double sell seats (overbook) with absolutely no regard for those passengers who are unable to complete their travel following the schedule of the ticket purchased. It doesn't make sense, if there are 10 seats on the plane how are they able to sell 14 tickets? Isn't there some law covering this. If not, there should be. Hey folks, wake up - they have a monopoly of the skies - the airlines join the Air Transport Association and meet on a scheduled basis to set fares, etc. If an airline doesn't join this group they routinely receive bad press along with other covert and overt actions by other airlines to drive them out of business.
CINDY Oct 2nd 2007 8:55AM
IN RESPONSE TO JOHNJON :OF COURSE THERE IS MORE TO IT THAN THE AVERAGE TRAVELER KNOWS. BUT THE SHEER DISREGARD AND RUDENESS THAT WE TRAVELERS ARE SUBJECTED TO FROM AIRLINE PERSONEL IS INEXCUSABLE. THIS SUMMER I FLEW 3 DIFFERENT TIMES AND WAS DELAYED OR CANCELLED EACH TIME. NO ANNOUNCEMENTS WERE MADE, I CONTINUALLY HAD TO LOOK AT THE DEPARTURE SCREENS FOR UPDATES. THE TICKET COUNTER PEOPLE ARE TOTAL ROBOTS. THEY SHOW NO EMOTION- EXCEPT TO THEIR CELL PHONES- WHICH THEY ALWAYS ANSWER AND STOP WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH THE PAYING CUSTOMER TO TAKE THE CALL.
I HAVE DECIDED TO DRIVE WHENEVER IT IS FEASIBLY POSSIBLE- NO MATTER WHAT THE COST OF GAS IS.
Gategirl Oct 2nd 2007 8:54AM
For the pilot who commented....THANK YOU! As a ground employee at a very large airport, I hear the passengers reactions to delays and cancellations it's not friendly. Contrary to popular belief, ground employees and crew do not control weather and/or mechanical problems. Negative comments from passengers will not expedite the flight delay. Work one day in our shoes for $10-$11 per hour, keep safety in mind and remember to KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO YOURSELF
David Oct 2nd 2007 9:20AM
Well, CINDY!! Perhaps if passengers weren't SO RUDE, we could all get along...Like I want to take your ticket after it's been in your mouth, are you talking on your blue tooth or to me?? yes it's sunny here, but there are enroute thunderstorms...did you want to risk your life to make that dinner reservation...Oh that's right, you're the ONLY ONE that HAS to get to your destination...Talk about rude airline employees... What happened to the good old days when travel was a privelege...Now we have flying trailerparks... David..Ohio
Deb Oct 2nd 2007 11:48AM
As an agent in a reservation center I too would like to comment on rudeness on the part of travelers.I have been sworn at ,called vulgar names and been threatened with bodily harm by travelers who want things their way no matter what.So the next time A ticket person shows you no emotion keep in mind they have probably been treated very badly by someone waiting before you. As airline employees we are all trying to do our best to keep our customers safe and accomodate all travelers the best we can.
gary grant Oct 2nd 2007 9:34AM
Look up, then look down. The problem is not in the air, it is on the ground. To get people where they want to go when they want to be there every airline leaves during the same time slots. Accept a bit more wait between planes, on the ground, and I assure you the backlogs will clear up. Fly a balanced schedule with the same number of flights each hour from your major airports and hubs, and you will see the process smoothe out. Yes you will be waiting longer between flights. Yes you will get to know expensive airport food, some of which isn't half bad. Jimmie Buffets in Montego Bay and the German restaurant in Portland come to mind. But you will not be waiting on the tarmac in an airplane with no where to go and nothing sebstancial to eat. We have to get rid of the ME, ME, ME. Don't blame it all on the airlines. Put most of the blame on the traveling public. The airlines show you on their schedules what they know what you want to see. The system just can't deliver it,
bryan Oct 2nd 2007 9:38AM
as a flight attendant i can see both sides of the story i think the bottom line is...airline employees need to be alittle more friendly, professional..that is your job you get paid to deal with customers...and passengers need to understand that the person you are yelling at has nothing to do with the traffic delays in your destination city...we all have to coexsist on this one...passengers- understand what the captain was saying...there are so many factors in why a flight is cancelled or delayed...would you rather be sittig in an airport with options or be sitting on the runway with little to no options most likely only to come back to the gate or to be redirected to another city you no nothing about...safety is our number one priority in this industry and i would hope it would be yours as well....
petite_lil1 Oct 2nd 2007 9:44AM
Being an agent also I agree with Deb, but fortunate for me I'm at a call center, and don't envey the people who are on the "front lines" and have to deal with angry and stuck travelers. These poor agents are getting screamed at and have no control over what his going on with the weather in other cities, or flight delays due to mechanical errors. Yet they have to take the constant abuse of irate customers and are expected to be pleasant and accomadating as possible at all times.
richter0214 Oct 3rd 2007 11:50AM
Delay's are bound to happen. I travel often, and have had canceled flights due to weather,mechanical problems and so on. I do wish the airlines would let passengers off of an aircraft knowing that there would be a long delay. As far as weather and other problems ( mechanical,etc) I would much rather be late than in an accident, to put it mildly. So, my point is stop whining, because flight delays are for OUR SAFETY!