Prestwick Handling.....DOH!
Prestwick Handling.....DOH!
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Yeah they are keen alright.
But the other night I arrived, after the usual procedureal control (controller was dodgy as f*&k by the way), to find no steps or dispatch to meet us.
Also nobody was answering the Handling freq. 129.7.
Swamped with 5 a/c with probably one dispatcher for all of them.
Maybe prestwick should spend some of that few million quid they made in profit last year and employ some extra descent staff not some greasey headed YTS thug.
Experiences like this confirm everything I have heard about PIK in the past, not quite in the pro ranks yet.
Nice runways, shame about the service.
ED
But the other night I arrived, after the usual procedureal control (controller was dodgy as f*&k by the way), to find no steps or dispatch to meet us.
Also nobody was answering the Handling freq. 129.7.
Swamped with 5 a/c with probably one dispatcher for all of them.
Maybe prestwick should spend some of that few million quid they made in profit last year and employ some extra descent staff not some greasey headed YTS thug.
Experiences like this confirm everything I have heard about PIK in the past, not quite in the pro ranks yet.
Nice runways, shame about the service.
ED
Guest
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Well Well Well.
I suppose I will have to set the record straight here.
PIK Handling do a good job at the best of times, Alex Boyd, the Handling Manager is as keen as mustard, a plane spotter at heart, he drums up more business than probably anybody else at PIK.
As for not getting your steps, maybe it was you ops. departments fault in not planning the reroute to PIK after knowing about GLA runway closeures at night for a long time. A wee bit of notice goes along way in planning for having the right number of staff per aircraft handled.
As for the greasey headed YTS thug, I don't know who that referrs to but you were a trainee at one stage so give the guys a break, it's people like you who give pilots a bad name, no wonder handling never answered the radio, they obiviously knew who you were.
Dodgy ATC is only caused by dodgy pilots, if you are not happy with the ATC service then say so, question the ATCO if he tells you to shut up and mind your own business, sobeit.
With only one ATCO on duty for the whole night shift, he may not get a proper rest period until he goes home at 7, just 10 or 20 mins here or there.
The good news is that from the first of November 2 ATCO's will be at yur beck and call, to provide a radar service just to save you from that dodgy service that only one gives, also it will save you from having to try and read our approach plates.
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Falzone eat your heart out.
ECPK ATCO
I suppose I will have to set the record straight here.
PIK Handling do a good job at the best of times, Alex Boyd, the Handling Manager is as keen as mustard, a plane spotter at heart, he drums up more business than probably anybody else at PIK.
As for not getting your steps, maybe it was you ops. departments fault in not planning the reroute to PIK after knowing about GLA runway closeures at night for a long time. A wee bit of notice goes along way in planning for having the right number of staff per aircraft handled.
As for the greasey headed YTS thug, I don't know who that referrs to but you were a trainee at one stage so give the guys a break, it's people like you who give pilots a bad name, no wonder handling never answered the radio, they obiviously knew who you were.
Dodgy ATC is only caused by dodgy pilots, if you are not happy with the ATC service then say so, question the ATCO if he tells you to shut up and mind your own business, sobeit.
With only one ATCO on duty for the whole night shift, he may not get a proper rest period until he goes home at 7, just 10 or 20 mins here or there.
The good news is that from the first of November 2 ATCO's will be at yur beck and call, to provide a radar service just to save you from that dodgy service that only one gives, also it will save you from having to try and read our approach plates.
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Falzone eat your heart out.
ECPK ATCO
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Bit harsh there Early D..
ATCO is right when he say's the staff there are keen, and no keener than Alex who's been there for a very long time. I know.
Perhaps some truth though in the shoestring operation, glad to hear ATC are getting more support. PIK perhaps should have anticpated the extra work with the GLA closures, it been known about for a very long time.
Early D.. did your ops give them adequate notice?
ATCO is right when he say's the staff there are keen, and no keener than Alex who's been there for a very long time. I know.
Perhaps some truth though in the shoestring operation, glad to hear ATC are getting more support. PIK perhaps should have anticpated the extra work with the GLA closures, it been known about for a very long time.
Early D.. did your ops give them adequate notice?
Guest
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Haven't been into PIK for a couple of years now but used to be there almost daily and always found the handling staff both friendly and efficient.
There used to be this cracking looker called Gillian but I never got closer than through the flight deck window. Got married to some rugby player apparently. What a waste!
If anyone's there over the next few days pass on my regards to Gordon and Hilary. (PIK Handling)
[This message has been edited by Shanwick Shanwick (edited 18 November 1999).]
There used to be this cracking looker called Gillian but I never got closer than through the flight deck window. Got married to some rugby player apparently. What a waste!
If anyone's there over the next few days pass on my regards to Gordon and Hilary. (PIK Handling)
[This message has been edited by Shanwick Shanwick (edited 18 November 1999).]
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I think it is fair to say that the Glasgow diversions are not the most memorable for me in that as a customer of PIK our 747 sat on the other end of the airfield (engines running) for 1.5 hours awaiting a stand despite several calls to ATC,our crew were ignored or told that ATC were to busy.Not good enough especially to your resident clients who keep this place open.PIK Handling has been understaffed for many years and at times like these it is so obvious.It is unfortunately a mixture of bad management,lack of financial support and most of all training.In fairness I have never met an unhelpful despatcher yet at PIK Handling and they do their best with the resources they have.
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Giant
Being an Ops Manager apparently from the Glasgow area, you should know better. Your B747 GTI? that diverted into Prestwick and was waiting for a stand for 1.5 hours is very hard to believe.
I think you're pulling a leg here.
Unless you commute to a European or a stateside operation, being based at Glasgow I take that with a little pinch of salt.
I will be the first to admit that the parking was a little tight that night, we had all of the extra diversions, but every one got there eventually in the end. Not one a/c sat for 1.5 hours!!
During the shift I worked this period, the only delays on the ground were due to a/c leaving the apron (at Prestwick twr we can't see it) against inbounds etc.
Also every a/c had to be marshalled so thereby slowing thongs up just a little bit.
The problem with ATC, I don't believe for one minute that you were ignored - maybe your crew were on box 2 to handling - yes we were busy but not that busy as to have a stand denied, we have remote stands all over the airfield.
If you had such a problem with it get in touch I’m sure PIK would love to hear from you.
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Falzone eat your heart out.
EGPK ATCO
Being an Ops Manager apparently from the Glasgow area, you should know better. Your B747 GTI? that diverted into Prestwick and was waiting for a stand for 1.5 hours is very hard to believe.
I think you're pulling a leg here.
Unless you commute to a European or a stateside operation, being based at Glasgow I take that with a little pinch of salt.
I will be the first to admit that the parking was a little tight that night, we had all of the extra diversions, but every one got there eventually in the end. Not one a/c sat for 1.5 hours!!
During the shift I worked this period, the only delays on the ground were due to a/c leaving the apron (at Prestwick twr we can't see it) against inbounds etc.
Also every a/c had to be marshalled so thereby slowing thongs up just a little bit.
The problem with ATC, I don't believe for one minute that you were ignored - maybe your crew were on box 2 to handling - yes we were busy but not that busy as to have a stand denied, we have remote stands all over the airfield.
If you had such a problem with it get in touch I’m sure PIK would love to hear from you.
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Falzone eat your heart out.
EGPK ATCO
Guest
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Oh Dear,once again people go shouting their mouths off before knowing the facts.
1.I am a Station Manager at Prestwick
2.Our Aircraft was NOT a diversion but one of your scheduled operators that you held for
1 hr 30 mins OFF STAND.
3.Even your handling questioned yr lack of response.
4.KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE INSULTING ONE OF YOUR LARGEST CUSTOMERS
1.I am a Station Manager at Prestwick
2.Our Aircraft was NOT a diversion but one of your scheduled operators that you held for
1 hr 30 mins OFF STAND.
3.Even your handling questioned yr lack of response.
4.KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE INSULTING ONE OF YOUR LARGEST CUSTOMERS
Guest
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Okay Giant,
I will be the first to admit, that I was a little hasty with my reply to your first posting.
I do apologise for that. I get a little touchy when people criticise ATC at any unit I work at. The day I was describing above was not the day you’re a/c was delayed. I was on my rest days.
I have done a wee bit of investigating on your behalf.
And also I have a few things to get off my chest.
Yes - your a/c was held on a remote stand, Apron Charlie (North Side), not at the other end of the airfield, but opposite side of runway from the main apron. A stand was not available on the freight apron, hence the reasons for parking on the remote stand – but you ken that already.
With it probably taking nearly 10 – 15 mins just to park the a/c, after landing and crossing the main runway, it was probably only stationary for 50 mins. Before a stand became available.
As for leaving the engines running - I can’t help you with that one.
With a great number of extra departures we had around the time your a/c was able to reposition for it’s vacant stand – this caused a further delay as a/c with tight slots etc. all had to be given individual clearances (no SIDs at EGPK), some clearances coordinated on an individual a/c basis delaying even more – by the Tower ATCO alone (we have no GMC or GMP) hence the ATCO’s workload was very high. This probably caused a further few minutes delay before you’re a/c could cross the runway, just volume.
As for being ignored by ATC, I have no answer for that, I can’t explain it, I apologise on behalf of the ATCO on duty – but I suspect he was maybe prioritising his transmissions at the time or maybe coordinating clearances for each of the departures on the land line.
I am sure if you get in touch with our SATCO he will be able to help you further.
Things off my chest….
The comment about ATC being “a mixture of bad management, lack of financial support and most of all training” is a little hurtful.
I will admit that in the past, management of ATS at EGPK has been a little crap. Over the past four years PIK has invested heavily in both recruitment and training. All the ATCO’s are as professional and capable as any other ATCO in the country.
I did not mean to insult you, but some people use this forum as a way of winding people up, you offered you location details and I assumed you were at EGPF and taking a pot shoot at EGPK.
I hope that helps you understand my posting a little bit.
I hope you don’t mind but I have forwarded all your comments to PIK management as I am sure they would be interested in helping you ever which way they can.
Sorry again.
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Falzone eat your heart out.
EGPK ATCO
I will be the first to admit, that I was a little hasty with my reply to your first posting.
I do apologise for that. I get a little touchy when people criticise ATC at any unit I work at. The day I was describing above was not the day you’re a/c was delayed. I was on my rest days.
I have done a wee bit of investigating on your behalf.
And also I have a few things to get off my chest.
Yes - your a/c was held on a remote stand, Apron Charlie (North Side), not at the other end of the airfield, but opposite side of runway from the main apron. A stand was not available on the freight apron, hence the reasons for parking on the remote stand – but you ken that already.
With it probably taking nearly 10 – 15 mins just to park the a/c, after landing and crossing the main runway, it was probably only stationary for 50 mins. Before a stand became available.
As for leaving the engines running - I can’t help you with that one.
With a great number of extra departures we had around the time your a/c was able to reposition for it’s vacant stand – this caused a further delay as a/c with tight slots etc. all had to be given individual clearances (no SIDs at EGPK), some clearances coordinated on an individual a/c basis delaying even more – by the Tower ATCO alone (we have no GMC or GMP) hence the ATCO’s workload was very high. This probably caused a further few minutes delay before you’re a/c could cross the runway, just volume.
As for being ignored by ATC, I have no answer for that, I can’t explain it, I apologise on behalf of the ATCO on duty – but I suspect he was maybe prioritising his transmissions at the time or maybe coordinating clearances for each of the departures on the land line.
I am sure if you get in touch with our SATCO he will be able to help you further.
Things off my chest….
The comment about ATC being “a mixture of bad management, lack of financial support and most of all training” is a little hurtful.
I will admit that in the past, management of ATS at EGPK has been a little crap. Over the past four years PIK has invested heavily in both recruitment and training. All the ATCO’s are as professional and capable as any other ATCO in the country.
I did not mean to insult you, but some people use this forum as a way of winding people up, you offered you location details and I assumed you were at EGPF and taking a pot shoot at EGPK.
I hope that helps you understand my posting a little bit.
I hope you don’t mind but I have forwarded all your comments to PIK management as I am sure they would be interested in helping you ever which way they can.
Sorry again.
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Falzone eat your heart out.
EGPK ATCO
Guest
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Swiss Global,if you knew the manhours we put in per day on your behalf,you would see our frustration.As for PIK there is a number of outstanding issues that together with management and staff we can resolve in order to provide a better situation.Lets face it,if it was Manchester it would be worse.That is no excuse however.Also SGC what slot problems are you talking about,most ATC delays are related to BRU and not PIK,and these guys have little or no influence on this.Bearing in mind at PIK even the ATCOs cannot afford to take the hump.Everyone at PIK knows for sure that no freighters means NO Airport and NO Job.Pax traffic is not profitable YET.
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All these Atlas flights are wetleases to our company and together with senior airport management we are going in the correct direction.No airport is perfect as I know very well.As for Atlas,they have no permanently assigned UK staff.I think that wraps this up
