Originally Posted by
Who'stheDaddy
Space at LHR, where is this likely to be if the is a queue, do the A/C sit on these stands and then get slotted in somewhere? How does this affect other carriers not involved in this scheme
Any thoughts?
If there is a queue (which is more often than not at LHR), then it probably won't make much difference to taxi times. I guess they would tow the a/c to the back of the queue, stop for a couple of minutes to disconnect the tug and start up, then off you go.
The process I imagine would be similer to the way they de-ice on the continent - having a de-ice area on a taxiway just before the end of the runway so the a/c pull up, get de-iced then off they go. (wish BAA would introduce that at LHR as well - would save loads of hassle with hold over times when its busy - but thats another thread !!).
I think the idea is also to challenge the thinking behind current operations that are the "norm" just because thats the way it has always been done and try and introduce a new way of thinking about the ground operations as a whole in the same way that the STARS project (is that the correct name - I can't remember) is looking to eventually get rid of airways and allowing the a/c to navigate directly from A-B which has been trialled on the Pacific routes over the last few years.
Things like this have to be tried to see if they work otherwise we would never progress. If it doesn't work, then at least we can say we tried and then back to the drawing board to find another solution.
I am however waiting for all the tree huggers to start campaigning for the mass slaughter of cows - they are responsible for more global warming than air travel
