Ken Borough
22nd Oct 2010, 02:52
Has there been a corruption of standards? Airlines like to proclaim their OTP as 'within 15 minutes of schedule'. If this is really the case, why do they account for every minute past STD rather than just any delay beyond 15 minutes?
When punctuality became an issue, most carriers considered
- delayed departures as being more than 3 minutes late, and
- delayed arrivals being more than 15 minutes late at destination.
Over time, no doubt to suit the carriers (and the various service providers) and to make them look better, there has been a redefinition of what constitutes a delay. Why should carriers be allowed any more wriggle room to enhance their performance? To take the argument further, should a flight that incurs a delay of up to 15 minutes on a short sector such as SYD/MEL or BNE be considered 'on time'? Let's be reasoanble. On the other hand, a 15 minute departure delay on a long haul sector often makes not a jot of difference to achieving a scheduled arrival, especially when block times are set on a reasonably low probability.
Further, consumers buy according to either the arrival or departure time of a flight. Accordingly, is it reasonable arguable that any flight that departs or arrives other that at the published STD or STA is late.
Comments and thoughts encouraged!
On punctuality, Jetstar has this little gem on its website:" Jetstar uses the computerised Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), to record on-time performance data, a much more accurate and reliable process than the manual systems used by other airlines." Are they suggestinmg that they are the only mob to use ACARS?
When punctuality became an issue, most carriers considered
- delayed departures as being more than 3 minutes late, and
- delayed arrivals being more than 15 minutes late at destination.
Over time, no doubt to suit the carriers (and the various service providers) and to make them look better, there has been a redefinition of what constitutes a delay. Why should carriers be allowed any more wriggle room to enhance their performance? To take the argument further, should a flight that incurs a delay of up to 15 minutes on a short sector such as SYD/MEL or BNE be considered 'on time'? Let's be reasoanble. On the other hand, a 15 minute departure delay on a long haul sector often makes not a jot of difference to achieving a scheduled arrival, especially when block times are set on a reasonably low probability.
Further, consumers buy according to either the arrival or departure time of a flight. Accordingly, is it reasonable arguable that any flight that departs or arrives other that at the published STD or STA is late.
Comments and thoughts encouraged!
On punctuality, Jetstar has this little gem on its website:" Jetstar uses the computerised Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), to record on-time performance data, a much more accurate and reliable process than the manual systems used by other airlines." Are they suggestinmg that they are the only mob to use ACARS?