Heathrow out currently due Wx
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Like i said, glad I wasn't on one of the aircraft. At about 01.30 this morning I had 14 aircraft all waiting for term 1 stands - and with not a lot going out, was really beginning to wonder where you were all going to go!!
Really don't think it was helped at all by stand allocation who didn't seem to want to allocate stands even when they were free (the Shuttle who went to term 2 - his stand had been free for over an hour before he was given it!)
Very frustrating for us, but I can appreciate much much worse for you.
Really don't think it was helped at all by stand allocation who didn't seem to want to allocate stands even when they were free (the Shuttle who went to term 2 - his stand had been free for over an hour before he was given it!)
Very frustrating for us, but I can appreciate much much worse for you.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: on the golf course (Covid permitting)
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ga15
Agreed - let's hope tonight is better - I am back in at 1700 for a quick! domestic.
Most pax last night were ok, although some were a touch fractious, understandably, I believe the police were required to attend some aircraft.
I must admit that I did wonder if we would ever get a stand or end up disembarking pax onto 23! Overall everyone seemed to be resigned to the situation and deal with it with a touch of humour; it was so pathetic if you didn't laugh you would have cried.
Not been a good week at LHR what with runway closures, weather, tech problems etc. Roll on T5, at least we will have somewhere to park then!
Agreed - let's hope tonight is better - I am back in at 1700 for a quick! domestic.
Most pax last night were ok, although some were a touch fractious, understandably, I believe the police were required to attend some aircraft.
I must admit that I did wonder if we would ever get a stand or end up disembarking pax onto 23! Overall everyone seemed to be resigned to the situation and deal with it with a touch of humour; it was so pathetic if you didn't laugh you would have cried.
Not been a good week at LHR what with runway closures, weather, tech problems etc. Roll on T5, at least we will have somewhere to park then!
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tamarama beach
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't know if any of you was on duty yesterday while I was operating AF 257B but thanks a bunch for having " pulled " me out of the Tiger hold. Waiting til my assigned approach time would have been " legal" but led me to premature aging 
)Superb job all the way !!
)Superb job all the way !!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Was the BA743 yesterday. Excellent handling by ATC in dodging CBs, and ourselves and a Midland ahead who were expressing grave doubts about the large red thing stuck between 4d and 09L. What amazed me was people going into it... Midland sounded like he really did not want to, but was assured others were getting through. Anyway, when he reported "heavy lightning ahead" he helped our 99% decision to 100% and we broke off 4-5 miles short of the weather.
A foreign operator "bravely" tried an approach after us. Re-appeared on Director sometime later sounding shaken and muttering about "severe windshear".
ATC held us in orbits to SW of LHR, and we were surprised in each orbit that this thing was not moving at all. With nobody getting in, all departures stopped, and indeterminate delays, we went to LGW which we had passed and saw was no problem... Joined by 3-4 others...
Waiting for stand and MT when we got to LHR is another story, but at least PAX (and CC) got off at LGW...
NoD
A foreign operator "bravely" tried an approach after us. Re-appeared on Director sometime later sounding shaken and muttering about "severe windshear".
ATC held us in orbits to SW of LHR, and we were surprised in each orbit that this thing was not moving at all. With nobody getting in, all departures stopped, and indeterminate delays, we went to LGW which we had passed and saw was no problem... Joined by 3-4 others...
Waiting for stand and MT when we got to LHR is another story, but at least PAX (and CC) got off at LGW...
NoD
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Walthamstow
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was livid when I got woken up at 1am this morning by aircraft on approach to 27R (I live in Fulham) but reading the comments on this forum has calmed me down somewhat. I guess I'll just have to shut the windows tonight if we get another storm
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Dubai
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mmmmm what a night
grass area 15 join the club i was on last night and again tonight !!
It was a struggle for us re: the night noise but we managed to get most aircraft away. I only refused the El Al the Cyprus and the Hellas so it could have been a lot worse.
was fun and games getting the aircraft on stand though parking them 2 or 3 to a stand made change for the guys.
BA didnt help themselves though afterwards with lack of towing during the night which meant the long haul arrivals for T1 were still holding for stands after 2 hours !! I would have thought BA would have made some arrangements and diverted aircraft away and coached the pax down to LHR therefore not adding to the already congested airfield and terminal.
No doubt i will be speaking to you tonight just before 23:29 local !!!!!! keep your fingers crossed
It was a struggle for us re: the night noise but we managed to get most aircraft away. I only refused the El Al the Cyprus and the Hellas so it could have been a lot worse.
was fun and games getting the aircraft on stand though parking them 2 or 3 to a stand made change for the guys.
BA didnt help themselves though afterwards with lack of towing during the night which meant the long haul arrivals for T1 were still holding for stands after 2 hours !! I would have thought BA would have made some arrangements and diverted aircraft away and coached the pax down to LHR therefore not adding to the already congested airfield and terminal.
No doubt i will be speaking to you tonight just before 23:29 local !!!!!! keep your fingers crossed
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: London
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Soouthern Duel.
I'm intrigued as to why only those 3 aircraft were nightstopped. I can possibly understand the El Al as its a 742 but why stop the other 2 when many others were given dispensation.
I'm intrigued as to why only those 3 aircraft were nightstopped. I can possibly understand the El Al as its a 742 but why stop the other 2 when many others were given dispensation.
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Dubai
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
kilo mike
we were not given a blanket dispensation for every flight. We had to fight tooth and nail to get some dispensed because the Dft were very unspympathetic and initially said no. We were only allowed to let enough go that would relieve the congestion and hardship in the terminals for those airlines that have non quota.
If the answer had been no i hate to think about the scenes in the terminals.
IT would be very difficult to let everything go under those circumstances so it was decide to extend the 23:29 Local cut off time to 23:59L. some airlines are well known for taking their time and this was a way of putting pressure on them. I think we managed to get 11 non quota aircraft away in that 30 mins so we and ATC did a grand job. The El al was simply refused because it is a QC 8 and we could not extend the cut off point for this aircraft.
A further point a couple of non quota aircraft were refused landing after 23:29.
last night the only aircraft refused was the Helios , fortunatly the 10 non quota aircraft that we had taxing after 23;00 got off otherwise last night would have been a nightmare.hope this answers the question
we were not given a blanket dispensation for every flight. We had to fight tooth and nail to get some dispensed because the Dft were very unspympathetic and initially said no. We were only allowed to let enough go that would relieve the congestion and hardship in the terminals for those airlines that have non quota.
If the answer had been no i hate to think about the scenes in the terminals.
IT would be very difficult to let everything go under those circumstances so it was decide to extend the 23:29 Local cut off time to 23:59L. some airlines are well known for taking their time and this was a way of putting pressure on them. I think we managed to get 11 non quota aircraft away in that 30 mins so we and ATC did a grand job. The El al was simply refused because it is a QC 8 and we could not extend the cut off point for this aircraft.
A further point a couple of non quota aircraft were refused landing after 23:29.
last night the only aircraft refused was the Helios , fortunatly the 10 non quota aircraft that we had taxing after 23;00 got off otherwise last night would have been a nightmare.hope this answers the question
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Torrential downpours in the region again, more delays at LHR.
Southampton, Midhurst, and Compton departures suspended with 50 minute delays on average.
BUZADs just gone as well
Southampton, Midhurst, and Compton departures suspended with 50 minute delays on average.
BUZADs just gone as well
Last edited by Mark Lewis; 5th Aug 2004 at 15:48.
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: NE Surrey, UK
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where I live, just a few miles SE of LHR, experienced the most extraordinary WX conditions yesterday afternoon around 1445Z; sudden torrential rain and extremely strong winds that brought down trees and somehow drove rainwater through closed, double-glazed windows. A quick recce this morning has revealed the area of significant damage to be quite localised, so I can only assume this was some sort of microburst.
It was bad enough to be on the ground in it - can't imagine what it was like to be airborne!
I haven't seen the stats but I can't help feeling that the Heathrow area has just had two "50 year" storms in the same week...
It was bad enough to be on the ground in it - can't imagine what it was like to be airborne!
I haven't seen the stats but I can't help feeling that the Heathrow area has just had two "50 year" storms in the same week...
Coppula eam se non posit acceptera jocularum
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Northumberland, UK
Age: 61
Posts: 293
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Help with storm research
Quick request for information on behalf of TORRO, the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (of which I am a member of a team who observe and report on thunderstorms). The recent storms over LHR are interesting, and the observations of professionals in the industry will carry a lot of weight. If you observed the storms and have a few minutes, please fill out the questionnaire on the following link:
http://www.torro.org.uk/appeal.htm
http://www.torro.org.uk/quethtxt.htm
You will apreciate that any details may be the piece in the puzzle of increased understanding of thunderstorms. Many thanks.
http://www.torro.org.uk/appeal.htm
http://www.torro.org.uk/quethtxt.htm
You will apreciate that any details may be the piece in the puzzle of increased understanding of thunderstorms. Many thanks.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
seloco
also experienced those conditions close to LHR. At the time expressed surprise to see take off activity.
Was asked by moderator what experience I had to express such opinions. Subsequently deleted post.
Comment was made out of curiosity. In eight years operating out of LHR, never experienced weather like that. Would be interested to know at what point operations are suspended
also experienced those conditions close to LHR. At the time expressed surprise to see take off activity.
Was asked by moderator what experience I had to express such opinions. Subsequently deleted post.
Comment was made out of curiosity. In eight years operating out of LHR, never experienced weather like that. Would be interested to know at what point operations are suspended