LHR tower in the winds?
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Join Date: Dec 2000
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LHR tower in the winds?
well, how was it gusting 60kts on Sunday?
Did it rock much, cause any adverse effects on individuals?
Very interested to know as I guess it was the first real blow since occupying it ...
Did it rock much, cause any adverse effects on individuals?
Very interested to know as I guess it was the first real blow since occupying it ...
I did hear some staff experienced windshear when approaching the front door, and had to G/A. 
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I remember being scared in the old tower in 70kts - and that was a real building! I feel for those working in the ice cream cornet in strong wind..... but the view must be fabulous.
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Got to admit wasn't in yesterday, but have spoken to some that were, and they were too busy to even notice the wind.
We had 3 phone in sick and not enough overtime cover (a completely different thread possible here!!
)
The tower was bandboxed at one stage when we ran out of breaks, which led to huge delays in and out without even factoring in the already reduced landing rate from the wind.
And then you've got some clowns on the BALPA forum who have started a thread saying we were short staffed because ATC declined to go up the tower in the wind. It's makes me angry when I hear stuff like that when ATC were doing their best to keep everything moving in some very challenging circumstances yesterday.
We had 3 phone in sick and not enough overtime cover (a completely different thread possible here!!
)The tower was bandboxed at one stage when we ran out of breaks, which led to huge delays in and out without even factoring in the already reduced landing rate from the wind.
And then you've got some clowns on the BALPA forum who have started a thread saying we were short staffed because ATC declined to go up the tower in the wind. It's makes me angry when I hear stuff like that when ATC were doing their best to keep everything moving in some very challenging circumstances yesterday.
Last edited by Yellow Snow; 6th Dec 2007 at 07:03. Reason: Journo alert, possible thread 7500.
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Yellow snow my good man! There is no point letting comments from idiots wind you up (I wish I could follow my own advice here! 
). Flying in and out of LHR I hear daft comments about ATC every now and then (and they do frustrate me as well if I’m honest). These remarks are always made by people who have no idea about the job that you’re trying to do, the environment we work in (a lack of both runway capacity and space on the ground to manoeuvre aircraft) and who, more often than not, are focussed in on their flight alone rather than the bigger picture (shift as many planes in the fastest and fairest order possible). Often they don’t want to spend the time it takes to gain a bit of understanding and that is a bit sad but also inevitable when there is no official mechanism for pilots and controllers to get together and just chat about what we do, and why we do it (the reasons for that would probably take up another thread as well!). I’m convinced that if we could all find more time to do this there would be a lot more understanding, and a lot less frustration. The vast majority of pilots are very appreciative of the great service we get at LHR, and fully aware of the difficult environment both flight crew and air traffic controllers have to work around at an airport with so many issues. As for the minority who you’ll never convince, just shrug your shoulders and be glad you’re not stuck next to them (and their opinions!) for the next 4 hours across Europe! 
). Flying in and out of LHR I hear daft comments about ATC every now and then (and they do frustrate me as well if I’m honest). These remarks are always made by people who have no idea about the job that you’re trying to do, the environment we work in (a lack of both runway capacity and space on the ground to manoeuvre aircraft) and who, more often than not, are focussed in on their flight alone rather than the bigger picture (shift as many planes in the fastest and fairest order possible). Often they don’t want to spend the time it takes to gain a bit of understanding and that is a bit sad but also inevitable when there is no official mechanism for pilots and controllers to get together and just chat about what we do, and why we do it (the reasons for that would probably take up another thread as well!). I’m convinced that if we could all find more time to do this there would be a lot more understanding, and a lot less frustration. The vast majority of pilots are very appreciative of the great service we get at LHR, and fully aware of the difficult environment both flight crew and air traffic controllers have to work around at an airport with so many issues. As for the minority who you’ll never convince, just shrug your shoulders and be glad you’re not stuck next to them (and their opinions!) for the next 4 hours across Europe!
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I was working on Friday when the winds got up to 20G35. I noticed a slight swaying from the Air podium (middle of the VCR floorplan), but others around the outside found it more noticeable, and some concern was raised about how they were feeling.
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Yellow Snow - "Supervisor worked from 0700- 1430 without a break to protect the operation"
Oh yeah.... wouldn't have thought anyone was in a position to protect anyone from anything after a constant seven and a half hours in position !!
Oh yeah.... wouldn't have thought anyone was in a position to protect anyone from anything after a constant seven and a half hours in position !!
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I seem to remember that at an airport where I used to work the Tower controllers had to leave when the wind speed was forecast to reach 70 knots. Apparently this was due to an oscillation that the Tower would get into that was guaranteed to make everyone seasick! Is there any limit for Heathrow?
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Expidite Off.
Nowhere in my post do I condone this!
My phrase 'to protect the operation was supposed to be tongue in cheek! Rereading the post I can see that it doesn't come across that way!
Nowhere in my post do I condone this!
My phrase 'to protect the operation was supposed to be tongue in cheek! Rereading the post I can see that it doesn't come across that way!
Last edited by Yellow Snow; 4th Dec 2007 at 09:05. Reason: Mistakes everywhere
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If the winds gust I'm looking forward to the day someone says I can't go in my "office" because it might make me feel a bit queasy..........
Actually, I wouldn't trust wobbly buildings either.
Actually, I wouldn't trust wobbly buildings either.
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Yellow,
I assume the Supervisor position is non-SRATCOH then?
Was he "protecting the operation" as you state sarcastically or actually creating a rod for his own, and every other supervisor's back in the future, by setting a precedent?
I assume the Supervisor position is non-SRATCOH then?
Was he "protecting the operation" as you state sarcastically or actually creating a rod for his own, and every other supervisor's back in the future, by setting a precedent?
Supervisor worked from 0700- 1430 without a break to protect the operation
If true Southern SRG will have a field day! Just see the Sratcoh form, reason for non-compliance of Sratcoh - "to protect the operation"
or if the worst had happened, CA1261, time since last break..........
If true Southern SRG will have a field day! Just see the Sratcoh form, reason for non-compliance of Sratcoh - "to protect the operation"
or if the worst had happened, CA1261, time since last break..........
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Ok, as stated in my first post, I wasn't there so info isn't first hand.
Yes it is a SCRATCOH position.
If true, then yes it does make a rod for all supervisors backs.
Before everyone gets overexcited, no-one who was working that day has posted on here, so the rumour remains unconfirmed.
My original post wasn't intended to condone or condemn my colleagues, because as I said in brackets LL's staffing/current AAVA policy and other issues in this area are for a seperate thread, preferably in the NATS forum.
My post was point out that ATC worked damn hard on the day in question, yet a small number of the pilot community had started a rumour that the reason we were short staffed was because we declined to go up the tower in high winds
All the best YS
Yes it is a SCRATCOH position.
If true, then yes it does make a rod for all supervisors backs.
Before everyone gets overexcited, no-one who was working that day has posted on here, so the rumour remains unconfirmed.
My original post wasn't intended to condone or condemn my colleagues, because as I said in brackets LL's staffing/current AAVA policy and other issues in this area are for a seperate thread, preferably in the NATS forum.
My post was point out that ATC worked damn hard on the day in question, yet a small number of the pilot community had started a rumour that the reason we were short staffed was because we declined to go up the tower in high winds
All the best YS
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05/12/2007 winds
Hi,
Could any of you LHR tower guys help me to understand why have we been told by LACC to slow down all the LHR inbounds to min clean over NL already due to crosswinds? I mean... I looked at the metar and it said wind from 250 at 16 kts. I couldn't really get it honestly - the rwy(s) are 27, so is this wind that much of a deal or the metar wasn't correct or what? Maybe it was something else?
Thanks a lot, I've been thinking about this all afternoon
Could any of you LHR tower guys help me to understand why have we been told by LACC to slow down all the LHR inbounds to min clean over NL already due to crosswinds? I mean... I looked at the metar and it said wind from 250 at 16 kts. I couldn't really get it honestly - the rwy(s) are 27, so is this wind that much of a deal or the metar wasn't correct or what? Maybe it was something else?
Thanks a lot, I've been thinking about this all afternoon
