Hi all! This is my first post here, in the thread I found most interesting at the first glance of the forum index. Well, most posts here match my own experiences of quick turnarounds, along with all the problems. Good to know all this takes place in other airports/airlines as well.
I currently work as a ramp agent/dispatcher in ATH/LGAV for a major greek airline, with a very tight schedule, thus having sometimes to cope with quick turnarounds. My personal record is 27 minutes on a crowded (both ways) 737-400, but that was just one of the few times that everything worked like clockwork. Disembarkation was fast, three buses on position on time, 4 loaders at my disposal, fuel truck on time, catering on time, fast gate agents, and -SURPRISE!- all pax arrived on time, and actually HEARD the boarding announcement. (If you haven't dealt with greek pax, you can't imagine... They are unbelievable. They tend to think they will board the plane on the STD...).
Anyway this is not always the case. You will always face one snag or another (my top three are : 1.missing pax 2.more bags 3.reluctant and stupid cabin crew). Luckily we are allowed to issue ANY delay code, although we do get a hard time for some specific codes. If i give an 87-airport facilities, most times some airport admin rep will ask why. I will always answer, of course, honestly, that HELLENIKON WAS BETTER...LOL
Now, can you please tell me tips for even shorter turnarounds? How does Ryanair,Germanwings and EasyJet do it?
Cheers!