hahaha ... It is a funny and both interesting discussion indeed! Maybe sometimes people get a little bit snappy after long hours of duty (both pilots and ATC controllers). Shouldn't be like that but it happens.
If we have a delay for push-back I would appreciate ATC (time permitting) to tell me the reason and maybe an estimate. We have passengers on the aicraft as well and we would like to inform them as well. But, actually IMHO I think Hong Kong ATC provides a very good service despite the problems descriped by Suzy.
A funny thing is that for example in Shanghai where pushback delays are pretty common (up to 2 hours somtimes) the controllers always gives you the reason:
1) Due to seppalation;
2) Due to westwictions;
3) Due to ...................... standby .....
It is always one of these three so no need to ask anymore.
Talking about these experiences in mainland China. I have a question for any HKG controller on this board.
I recognize and read here that many of the problems in HKG airspace are caused by mainland China restrictions. However, when flying in Mainland China these restrictions only seem to apply for "foreign" companies. Many times I have been at the holding point at Chinese airport waiting and seeing chinese aircraft (pushed back long times after us) passing us and taking off from an earlier intersection going to the same area as our flight.
Apparantly there is no formal or political way to solve these problems. What about imposing the same policy to chinese aircraft as foreign aircraft suffer in mainland China? Maybe that solves or forces a solution to this problem?
