Originally Posted by
ATNotts
I recall that there used to be three reasons for delays:-
Operational reasons
Technical reasons
Air traffic control reasons
There are 100:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IATA_delay_codes
In my experience, having worked in ops at four different airports in the UK, less is more. If you start to engage pax in a conversation with a specific delay reason, it simply leads to yet more questions, with the questioner believing that he knows better than you how an airline is run. I once explained to a pax that a delay was owing to the autopilot being u/s.
'Well don't they have a spare one on site?'
'No they're bringing one from another base'
'How long is that going to take?' (It was being flown in).
Then, 'How long will it take to fit it?'
'Will they have to flight test it after it has been fitted?' (Thus, in the mind of the passenger, delaying the departure even more).
'No.' He clearly was about to ask further questions, but at this point, fortunately, a call came over the radio to go and deal with something else. but I learnt never again to engage pax in a detailed conversation about delays.
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