Flapping_Madly
19th Jun 2006, 22:04
Hello all-I'm brand new here. Only found PPRUNE a few days ago. Amazing !
Then I realized I could ask a question that has been at the back of my mind for a few years and probably get a sensible answer.
Please forgive the lengthy start before the question and the "short-hand" English. (To try to keep it short)
About 5 years ago wife and I --Heathrow to San Francisco--United Airlines--747-400.
Boarding time 14.00. Actual boarding 14.30. T.O. time 14.45 Told it was now 15.35 Push back 15.05 Taxied 300 yards ,stopped, pushed back way past original gate to another gate. Doors opened. No information at all or drinks or food. Then told delay was "food shortage". At 18.30 told the truth. Problem with the brakes -trouble finding spare part but had blagged the part off BA. New problem--engineer needed to fit the part.
Finally took off at 19.20. Pilot says " Sorry we are short of flying time will have to go to Washington instead".
Later told to be very carefull with immigration papers to avoid delay. Any delay will mean we will not be able to take off because of night flying rules.
Told to RUN everywhere at Washington. Arrived Washington at 02.55 the next morning My watch at UK time here of course.
Officials very cheerfull and stamped things and handled passports at breakneck speed. We all ran around. Some old folk were really panting at the gate.
We had been told TO would be 3.35 (my watch). We all made it 2.55 to approx 3.15.
Then we stood around. Nothing happened. We finally got on the plane and were told TO would be "as soon as possible" We sat for a long time then told "sorry for delay but Company would not allow plane to fly without a clean up"
We taxied to end of runway and waited for about 20 minutes.
We took off at 5.40 (my watch) Pilot came on and said" Sorry for that. Delay was due to major crash of all onboard computers.[So not cleaning then] Delay at the end of runway was due to Control Tower computers crashing. Oh and we will be flying direct to San Francisco with the same flight and cabin crew. WE HAVE WAIVED OUR FLYING HOURS RIGHTS AND WILL BE TAKING YOU ALL THE WAY "
We arrived at San Fran at 10.50 ( my watch)
Between boarding at LHR and bed was 21 hours 55 minutes--total flying time 12.45 mins
There was a great deal of discussion among the SLF about how the crew could "waive their rights" under the flying time regulations. We speculated on how sharp the pilot would be in an emergency.
Our holiday courier in S F was spitting teeth and we put in a collective complaint about the whole shambles and quess what? We heard nothing.
How come they could waive their rights ? I thought they were to protect the passengers. Silly me.:confused:
Then I realized I could ask a question that has been at the back of my mind for a few years and probably get a sensible answer.
Please forgive the lengthy start before the question and the "short-hand" English. (To try to keep it short)
About 5 years ago wife and I --Heathrow to San Francisco--United Airlines--747-400.
Boarding time 14.00. Actual boarding 14.30. T.O. time 14.45 Told it was now 15.35 Push back 15.05 Taxied 300 yards ,stopped, pushed back way past original gate to another gate. Doors opened. No information at all or drinks or food. Then told delay was "food shortage". At 18.30 told the truth. Problem with the brakes -trouble finding spare part but had blagged the part off BA. New problem--engineer needed to fit the part.
Finally took off at 19.20. Pilot says " Sorry we are short of flying time will have to go to Washington instead".
Later told to be very carefull with immigration papers to avoid delay. Any delay will mean we will not be able to take off because of night flying rules.
Told to RUN everywhere at Washington. Arrived Washington at 02.55 the next morning My watch at UK time here of course.
Officials very cheerfull and stamped things and handled passports at breakneck speed. We all ran around. Some old folk were really panting at the gate.
We had been told TO would be 3.35 (my watch). We all made it 2.55 to approx 3.15.
Then we stood around. Nothing happened. We finally got on the plane and were told TO would be "as soon as possible" We sat for a long time then told "sorry for delay but Company would not allow plane to fly without a clean up"
We taxied to end of runway and waited for about 20 minutes.
We took off at 5.40 (my watch) Pilot came on and said" Sorry for that. Delay was due to major crash of all onboard computers.[So not cleaning then] Delay at the end of runway was due to Control Tower computers crashing. Oh and we will be flying direct to San Francisco with the same flight and cabin crew. WE HAVE WAIVED OUR FLYING HOURS RIGHTS AND WILL BE TAKING YOU ALL THE WAY "
We arrived at San Fran at 10.50 ( my watch)
Between boarding at LHR and bed was 21 hours 55 minutes--total flying time 12.45 mins
There was a great deal of discussion among the SLF about how the crew could "waive their rights" under the flying time regulations. We speculated on how sharp the pilot would be in an emergency.
Our holiday courier in S F was spitting teeth and we put in a collective complaint about the whole shambles and quess what? We heard nothing.
How come they could waive their rights ? I thought they were to protect the passengers. Silly me.:confused: