De-icing procedures
I understand the reasons why some professionals would like these forums restricted but as a frequent flyer (and mech. engineer) I read these forums in order to make informed decisions when making my travel arrangements. One area that has always concerned me is winter travel. Over the past few years I have noticed some differences between airlines with regards to de-icing. With BA I've experienced de-icing on every occasion when I've been the first flight out on a frozen morning (including sometimes being de-iced up to 3 times because of delays taxying and holding (20 minutes max between de-ice and take-off the pilot told us)). I took an early morning flight out of Kastrup with white frost clearly visible on the leading edge and upper wing surface of a Maersk 737 and yet no de-ice whereas other airlines were de-icing. It was also dark when the FO did his walk around. After many trips (even in Summer) on SAS MD-82/3 I asked why someone puts a ladder up to the wing and climbs up? To check for ice was the answer, even in warmer weather due to cold soak of the fuel. Do all MD 82/83 operators have the same purpose designed ladders and conduct the same checks at all of the airports they visit? Apparrently it all relates to an accident caused by ice breaking off the wings and damaging both engines simultaneously. A Ryanair departure from Torp, FO went outside and looked from the top of the steps for a visual of the wing upper surface and we duly de-iced even though the aircraft had only arrived 45 minutes previously with no precipitation. From the overwing seat though you could see frozen droplets on the leading edge. Sorry for the verbose lead up to my question which is "do airlines have SOP's regarding de-icing or do they leave the decision up to the pilots whilst adding some extra commercial pressures?". Is a pilot who is into his "discretion" hours going to wait for a de-ice if he has to make it back to his base airport which closes at 10.30pm which he might just make if he departs immediately and gets a break with ATC?