lads...
I know ... but knowing it does not stop it making me furious and feeling the worst kind of SLF when it happens.
Withdrawing the airbridge and shutting the doors only takes a minute.
[ and yes the ground handler might be needed somewhere else since effectively that flight has departed... blah blah blah]
What everyone seems to be saying is that there is no slack in the system to deal with SLF.
And anyway, with what the previous poster said, It's normally over 25 minutes late anyway.
Dublin to heathrow (same for BMI or Aer Lingus)
2/3 minutes delay boarding last passenger
av. 10 minutes (being generous ) for slot and pushback
av 5 minutes for takeoff (all those early birds off )
av. 6-8 mins in the hold over OCK/LAM or wherever
av 4 (at least) extra mins taxiing from 27L ( why do I always get 27L ) to T1 Paddygates
av. 1/2 mins waiting for ground handler to steer gate in
Add it up.
These are all usuals. Everyone is trying though, but it all adds up.
When I get into the Heathrow T1 Arrivals I walk downstairs get on the lift and get the train to Paddington. 17 mins later I'm there. It's never been late yet. And look, the passengers load themselves too.
From experience when I have to fly I never schedule a meeting at the other end that doesn't have at least 2 hours slack or can be rescheduled
Why ... because I'm flying