Urgent:all Pilots In/out Lhr/lgw
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Join Date: Jun 2000
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Nice one bigears!
In the new tower Lighting ops sit next to GMC controllers so co-ordination is improved between the two. GREAT ADVERT FOR LIGHTING OPERATORS.
In the new tower Lighting ops sit next to GMC controllers so co-ordination is improved between the two. GREAT ADVERT FOR LIGHTING OPERATORS.
Join Date: Apr 1999
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Another BA pilot here and I say absolutely keep the greens! BA should sort out it's own punctuality problems before trying to remove safeguards to the operation of aircraft. Can't remember the last time I was delayed by a stop bar but I'm frequently delayed by BAs ineptitude.
Gatwick and Heathrow follow the greens
I have operated to both and love it, better than cars, in low vis I have lost sight of the car, had to stop so he could back up. Wish the system was a standard everywhere. Nigel can nick off as far as I am concerned 
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The "greens" are fantastic. A superb safety solution to a complex problem. It certainly takes the stress out of doing the after landings, single engine, apu checks, paperwork, reading the chart, readbacks etc.
Did the BA crews who visited the tower recently, agree with the "greens" or disagree with the system ??
Perhaps its a spat over bmi's latest advert on getting all the greens and being punctual ??
There have been plenty of times when the stands have been occupied by BA ground equipment and hence a/c cannot taxi on to stand even with the guidance - lack of staff .......
Jenson Button
Did the BA crews who visited the tower recently, agree with the "greens" or disagree with the system ??
Perhaps its a spat over bmi's latest advert on getting all the greens and being punctual ??
There have been plenty of times when the stands have been occupied by BA ground equipment and hence a/c cannot taxi on to stand even with the guidance - lack of staff .......
Jenson Button
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Jenson,
ALL the crews who have visited think they are great, hence the alarm when this ridiculous idea surfaced. Hopefully the replies to this thread have gone some way to persuade management not to meddle...but maybe not..we live in hope! A source of mine at BA says the flight deck crews are up in arms about the prospect of a system like CDG have got!
ALL the crews who have visited think they are great, hence the alarm when this ridiculous idea surfaced. Hopefully the replies to this thread have gone some way to persuade management not to meddle...but maybe not..we live in hope! A source of mine at BA says the flight deck crews are up in arms about the prospect of a system like CDG have got!
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When I had my first airline job I was based in MAN, the taxiways are poorly laid out and marked, and thats in the day, at night in the wet all i can say is 
Im now based at LGW and on my first flight out of there i was exposed to the 'follow the greens' system... I commented to the Captain that this system is great and it should be used everywhere!! ESPECIALLY IN MANCHESTER!!!!!!
To have the system removed would be a SERIOUS error of judgemennt.
If BA is raising this as an issue, all I have to say is - BA sort out your own backyard before 'sorting out' everyone else's .
Im now based at LGW and on my first flight out of there i was exposed to the 'follow the greens' system... I commented to the Captain that this system is great and it should be used everywhere!! ESPECIALLY IN MANCHESTER!!!!!!
To have the system removed would be a SERIOUS error of judgemennt.
If BA is raising this as an issue, all I have to say is - BA sort out your own backyard before 'sorting out' everyone else's .
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I love the greens - keep them as they are.
BA don't realise that without the greens the way they are things will be worse - as RT takes longer, misunderstandings take time to clear up and unfamiliar people (including new BA pilots) get confused.
Great system - at both LHR and LGW (only places I have experienced it).
Also - BA are hardly interested in delays - just look at the corporate target in the BA news.
The lighting operators do a great job and the only times it has caused a hinderance, the delay has only been a few seconds. Not worth throwing toys out of the cot for.
Keep it, keep it, keep it.
BA don't realise that without the greens the way they are things will be worse - as RT takes longer, misunderstandings take time to clear up and unfamiliar people (including new BA pilots) get confused.
Great system - at both LHR and LGW (only places I have experienced it).
Also - BA are hardly interested in delays - just look at the corporate target in the BA news.
The lighting operators do a great job and the only times it has caused a hinderance, the delay has only been a few seconds. Not worth throwing toys out of the cot for.
Keep it, keep it, keep it.
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Definitely, absolutely, in no uncertain terms, please please please, KEEP the switchable greens and stopbars.
I've had the pleasure of flying into LHR, sadly no more as our slots were asset stripped by Big Airways before they sold us down the river, and now LGW, usually twice daily. Fantastic system.
I would say most of us are more than prepared to put up with the odd time a red holds us up for a few seconds, and the rare occasion a stuck stopbar causes problems. Personally the need to marshal aircraft across a stuck stopbar at the hold is a bit O.T.T., but even then the value of the system far outweighs any problems it might cause.
If only MAN would install it, a lot of chatter and confusion would be removed. Not a fan of BA, as you can surely guess a Bacon rasher wouldn't be, but they should concentrate on sorting their own house out instead of interfering with such a world leading idea. Keep the lights switchable!
Oh, and a big thanks to the GMC lads and lasses for their quick work.
I've had the pleasure of flying into LHR, sadly no more as our slots were asset stripped by Big Airways before they sold us down the river, and now LGW, usually twice daily. Fantastic system.
I would say most of us are more than prepared to put up with the odd time a red holds us up for a few seconds, and the rare occasion a stuck stopbar causes problems. Personally the need to marshal aircraft across a stuck stopbar at the hold is a bit O.T.T., but even then the value of the system far outweighs any problems it might cause.
If only MAN would install it, a lot of chatter and confusion would be removed. Not a fan of BA, as you can surely guess a Bacon rasher wouldn't be, but they should concentrate on sorting their own house out instead of interfering with such a world leading idea. Keep the lights switchable!
Oh, and a big thanks to the GMC lads and lasses for their quick work.
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The only problem I have had with the system at LHR is when the light operator assumes we are taxiing faster than we actually are (doesn't happen often, when it does it is usually when we start moving after stopping, single engine taxiing means we don't accelerate very fast) and the stop bar comes on before we (quite) cross it. Even with this, it is still better than any other airport I have ever been to.
Keep it.
If they get as far as running a trial without it, I can imagine the delays caused when every aircraft stops at every intersection and asks for directions. And as for the RT congestion caused by everyone asking for progressive taxi instructions...
Keep it.
If they get as far as running a trial without it, I can imagine the delays caused when every aircraft stops at every intersection and asks for directions. And as for the RT congestion caused by everyone asking for progressive taxi instructions...
It's the best system in the world - and the safest. I don't operate out of LHR anymore and now when I'm taxying around some confusing mess of an airport such as beijing, I tell the other pilot about the fantastic system at LHR, they all seem to agree that it's what's need at all major airports.
Runway incursions are a hot topic at the moment. The LHR system has to be the best way of stopping them. Tell BA to get back in their box!
Runway incursions are a hot topic at the moment. The LHR system has to be the best way of stopping them. Tell BA to get back in their box!
Follow the Greens
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Keep the Greens
I am definitely in favour of keeping the system at LHR. As has been said, it cuts down on RT traffic and keeps things running smoothly. It's particularly helpful when vacating the runway if Ground is busy.
Any hold-ups due to delays in changing the lights are minimal; mostly the lighting operators are on the ball and the system works like clockwork!
Any hold-ups due to delays in changing the lights are minimal; mostly the lighting operators are on the ball and the system works like clockwork!
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Listen guys. BA does not want to get rid of this system.
Controller sickness at Heathrow during one month last year caused delays so BA asked NATS to investigate so that the same thing doesn't happen again.
You see it was the fact that the system wasn't working as normal that caused the delays ... get it?
Anyway, don't let the facts get in the way of some good banter
Controller sickness at Heathrow during one month last year caused delays so BA asked NATS to investigate so that the same thing doesn't happen again.
You see it was the fact that the system wasn't working as normal that caused the delays ... get it?
Anyway, don't let the facts get in the way of some good banter
Couldonlyaffordafiver
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Minor thread creep:
The stand is always checked. I check it. If I'm happy it's clear, I taxi on. If I'm not, I don't. I use the guidance for guidance. Not as a signal that the stand is clear.
An opinion from pilots about trundling onto an unchecked stand with the real risk of causing damge to the a/c or airbridge might also be useful.
