CX197 HKG/AKL

[ozziekiwi]

Nearly 5 hours late into AKL today Sunday 24 May. Something to do with CC perhaps ??

Cheers

[highflyer40]

Looking at Hong Kong last night more likely weather related delayed departure.

[ozziekiwi]

Ok thanks highflyer thought CC may have had a hand in it. Good luck to CX Pilots !! :D

[Yonosoy Marinero]

I take it you aren't in HKG?

It's pandemonium out here. Heavy weather has caused roll on delays and disruptions for days and it's coming apart at the seams at the airport.

Flights had to wait 2+ hours for a gate after landing last night. No ground staff. PAX pissed right off. Flights told to leave without cargo and bags. Other cancelled due duty hours. Etc.

[ozziekiwi]

OMG I didn't realise it was that bad. I am in AKL watching yet another
rain squall passing over but I am sure this is nothing compared to the HKG WX - thanks for that.

[BuzzBox]

Yes, it was chaos on the ground in HK last night due to the weather. Some parts of HK received 200-300mm of rain during the day. Departures were stopped several times due to lightning warnings and ATC flow control. Aircraft were still landing and all the available gates were quickly filled, causing a massive queue of aircraft waiting for a gate. Some waited on the taxiway for well over an hour before being allocated a gate. Many flights cancelled, others delayed for hours...

[CISTRS]

http://www.pprune.org/fragrant-harbour/561910-you-still-helping-out.html#post8987438

A big thank-you from your Management.

[TSIO540]

We had to wait just over 90 mins for a gate after landing at 3:30am hours after the last storm blew away

[Arfur Dent]

Thanks to everyone from a very grateful Management. You guys are priceless and these opportunities won't keep coming around to demonstrate what life is like if we DONT HELP OUT!!
Please!!!!!.....

[CodyBlade]

Are we in for a repeat today? skies look ominous.

[Frogman1484]

A big thank-you from your Management.

Have you thought that Management is trying to make you believe that everyone is helping out.

Why do you think they have had to delay the flights to protect the crew's duty? ...Because they know they cannot get more crews once their duty expires!

When have they ever protected your duty before? ummm...NEVER!:D

Don't fall for the reverse psychology...that is what they want you to believe.:ok:

[Progress Wanchai]

Correct Frogman.

They are trying to make those that are in contract compliance feel as tho they're the minority. Obviously quite the opposite is true.

What did you think she'd say?
"We're extremely disappointed by the lack of cooperation of the flight crew"?
Really??

Anyone falling for AT's spin hasn't been here very long.
She talks about "we" are at the beginning of the journey. Speak for yourself AT. I'll give you my copy of The 49ers I/II and that'll let you know when my journey started.

[Trafalgar]

You really see what an absence of experienced expat controllers results in when the wx turns on HK like this. Between CX management and the CAD 'head-in-the-sand' attitude towards localisation, it's ONLY a matter of time before the inevitable headline. Hey, UNIFO, i'll deviate "without clearance" when ATC has obviously lost the plot and can't control a wonton in a soup bowl. If I ask for a heading five times due wx and get no response, i'm damn well not going to fly through the wx just because HK ATC isn't capable of handling the task load. What a ****e operation this whole area of the world has become. Maybe the next 'survey' should be solely between CX management and the CAD. Of course, their conclusion will be "it's all the pilots' fault". :mad:

[OK4Wire]

Well said, Trafalgar.

As far as this is concerned: No flight was delayed by ATC last week. The only reason ATC has to stop departure, what a load of bollocks!

Typical management double speak: "...we stopped some flights, but didn't delay them..."

This summer is going to be a doozy!

[westeleven]

Congrats Trafalgar...best post I have read on Prune in years.

UNIFO you just show the pure ignorance of the 'new' breed in HKATC. You're an embarrassment to your profession!

[bm330]

This is the long predicted result of going local. They wanted the Expat controllers out and now we get exactly what we all expected.

Will it get better? Not going to hold my breath.

[Australia2]

UNIFO,

Your childish barely legible comment fits perfect with the current perception of HKG ATC and the rapidly deteriorating standards of professionalism displayed.

A long summer awaits us all.

Oz2

[balus man]

It's unfortunate that HK ATC is getting all the flak for the delays during the May 23 n 24 weekend but the whole episode hilights the total inefficiency of CLK with poor weather and typhoons. Many don't realize that at 1200 movements a day, the airport is at capacity every day and throw in some bad weather or an emergency runway closure and it all falls apart and takes days to recover. Yes, there is a certain level of inexperience amongst the local controllers but the fault lies directly with AA and CAD for approving all slots available in a 24 hour period, 7 days a week and expect a clockwork movement rate day after day. CLK does not have the infrastructure in place for the current movement rate. More marshallers, more parking gates, more ground handlers, more tugs, more buses etc etc are required,the list goes on. The whole thing is a con by AA and the HK Government to help justify the third runway (which is not needed). A re think on airspace and thru flights north of Bekol is also required. Perhaps Legco should widen the inquiry into the Director and the new ATC centre to include the overall effeciency of CLK in other than fine weather conditions.

[CISTRS]

balus man

Agree wholeheartedly with your analysis.
This city delights in unnecessary infrastructure projects which keeps the big players happy and comfortable.

Having said that,
bacause you all need extensive weather devistion and refused to approach. Not to mention those who deviate without clearance which could have caused many mid-air collisions.
UNIFO's apparent total misunderstanding of his role in the scheme of things has attracted a deal of justifiable flak. Of course, he is just one small cog in the wheels of an out-of-control machine run by ignorant tyrants.
The recent congestion was nothing to do with runway capacity. It was due to the lack of gates, ground handlers, tugs, buses, etc. The existing runways are not adequately serviced by the rest of the airport facilities.
So yes, include the CAD, HKAA, their airline customers and the whole bullsh!t government in the approbrium. With so much extra capacity available by adopting the measures outlined by balus man, the Third Runway decision is a willy waving premature ejaculation.