Flycatcher:
we have been told to expect delays in disembarking pax and baggage removal, as the contracts are all based around ontime performance! Same presumably applies if late - even more delays
That explains why the handling service at LGW goes seriously pear shaped when a delay creeps in.... Contracts based on on-time performance are fine provided the aircraft is on time. Surely whoever negotiated on behalf of FlyBe considered the possibility of delays? Indeed quickly turning round a delayed service gives the crew a chance to catch up on the schedule. Delaying it further just adds to cost.
Wonder how much FlyBe have paid to IoM Airport for extensions to accomodate late LGW flights? See this mornings 0650 is delayed, and has not yet left.....but that may be due to the SAS issue mentioned above.