No need to "fake it" with the ACARS.
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If a flight is late leaving, it is late. Period.
There are numerous delay codes that exist in our list of codes.
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Such as -
Delay consequence of late arrival of aircraft.
Late departure due to strike of baggage handling staff.
Delay due to late arrival of crew - Hotel to airport bus in traffic.
Late departure because of handling (late boarding of passengers).
Delay due to immigration, airport security clearance etc.
Late departure due to delay for flight documents - Passenger manifest.
Delay due to faulty ground equipment, i.e. pushback availability...
Late departure due to F/As. Nose painting or nail polish drying.
Delay due to ATC - Slot time for oceanic clearance at proper level.
Late departure due to XX passengers joining from late flight XXX.
Delay due to APU inoperative (by MEL) and waiting for airstart.
Cargo flights - Delay due to freight late arrival (trucking).
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No need to be "on time" and play ACARS acrobatics.
Airlines never paid bonus to crew for ON TIME operations.
You have a headache... about this...? I don't...
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Above not applicable to BA flights - Always ON TIME.
You fly third world airline... what do YOU expect...?
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Happy contrails