Fokker 100s and Jetways

[WHBM]

I went from Stansted to Glasgow on Thursday with Air Berlin for the first time on their Fokker 100. When we got to Glasgow the jetway couldn't be got to align for about 20 minutes and the maintenance crew had to be sent for, we finally disembarked past a couple of lads still discussing the issue in nice Glaswegian engineer-speak !

Hey ho, these things happen.

Returned to Stansted the following day, and on arrival there exactly the same thing happened, a long delay and then word that there was a jetway alignment problem. In this case steps were sent for.

It does seem strange to have happened twice. The F100 is unusual but not unknown at UK airports, and cabin floor is certainly low on the ground compared to other types. Any common reason?

[3141castro]

I have some, limited experience of the Fokker 100.

The ones that I have seen - British Midland and KLM, have the drop down stairs built in to the pax loading door. The first step is within the "lobby" area, so when the bridge is attatched, a "gangplank" has to be put over the first step to give a level walkway from aircraft to airbridge. Lining up the airbridge is tricky onto the Fokker 100. This may have explained the delays you experienced.

Also, when the aircraft is using an airbridge, the door height is reduced, and the crew usually put an "idiot pad" on the upper frame of the door - a bright orange padded affair - to protect the heads of the departing pax. Most departing pax don't spot the bright orange pad. Its not bright orange enough for them. :} And it doesnt help when the cabin crew do their level best to keep them talking as they leave the aircraft, with the sole purpose of then being able to watch them smash their heads on the door. Cruel, but mildly amusing.

Hope that helps!

[Piltdown Man]

I have four years experience on F100's. Most airbridges can be connected, even the automatic type if they are "taught" the F100 shape. Probably the airbridge malfunctioned and needs repairing. As a rough guess, I'd say that this was specialist work and would not happen overnight.