It seems now we know...pilots seem to like it , it works and if you guys think it expedites traffic then , as the users, you would think "people" would listen. I am hoping that some of the people involved in this ridiculous idea have read your posts.

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply!;)

"Follow the greens". Its the best system in the world. It would be crazy to scrap it.

Terriffic!
 

Keep them I say! It makes life easy for the crew especially in poor vis and busy radio conditions as well as a safer system. Even for pilots not familiar with LGW/LHR when they arrive or depart it makes taxi-way identification very simple and straightforward. Why remove a good thing!

Rather than hope someone reads it, it may be prudent to actually make sure they read it. How about sending them a hard copy or a link to this thread?? It appears you are in a position to do so...
IF powers that be want to remove this system and the users are plainly against it then someone has to speak up and let the masses be heard. Why not get a formal petition together and actively oppose this daft ide??

Spamcan

Great idea spam,
I'll speak to the union in ernest and see what they say...I am keen to keep my identity secret at the moment.

Keep it ... pls ...
 

After 7 yrs at LHR with 2 operators, it makes it one of the easiest places in the world to operate at. Even with all the new, confusing t/way deisgnators around all the WIP over the last few yrs, "follow the greens" actually makes it easier to taxi at night, than day.
Brilliant system keep it, and the BA mgt prob. need to go and have another look at things. (I am being diplomatic for a reason :-) )
K1.

I've always travelled a long way when I arrive at LHR and I prefer arriving at night due to this very system! It means I can just "follow the greens" and keep my eyes and ears open for any other threats after a long flight through the night.
Hope they keep it as it's a definite benefit to flight safety.

As an new f/o, turning off the taxiway all hell breaks lose (flaps , spoilers, memory items etc....) and trying to read back taxi clearances etc.... easy to see how things can be missed.

I like the greens at LHR, extra safety is good in my book.:ok:

fly ginger

Please excuse my ignorance and naivety (not yet an ATPL holder), but is it possible that BA are simply trying to establish a different back up plan for when the system doesn't work for some reason, so that the whole shooting match doesn't grind to a halt?

BA don't need a back up plan NATS already have one devised. It's called following the taxi instructions using the taxi chart, although after a long flight it is much easier to be told on vacating "Take the first left, follow the greens" than " First left on Alpha, right at Block 12, left on Bravo hold at Juliet".

The system is the best in the world :D and the options being the ICAO placarded nightmare that is MAN!!:sad:

Thats right we have back up plans for the back up plan. The level of interest has been seen by some important players here, so thanks again..hopefully BA and the BAA realise they have got a great system here and by changing it we would DEFINATELY not be able to shift as much traffic. Incidently discussions with the tug drivers seems to provide similar responses....but if any read this , please share your thourghts.:ok:

Best system in the world! Keep It !!!!!
:) :) :) :)

Terrific system. Every major airport should have it.

BA has a dire ground operation at LHR with delays to departure mostly being self generated through staff shortages. Could it be they wish to divert attention from these rather more tricky issues?

Operated at lhr ofr the last 10yrs or so - KEEP THE GREENS!- best system in the world.

I have never had a problem with this, apart from VERY occasionally having to ask if stop bars should be red, normally a reason for it or cleared very quickly,works well - keep it!
I would also like to know where BA would stand legally if there were an accident where the removal of this were a factor - I would think their liabilities would then be enormousif it could be shown that they were behind the move!:=

My understanding is that the the problem started because BA do not have enough staff to meet all their arriving a/c at peak. As it is good practice to leave the stand entry guidance (SEG) off until the person responsible has checked the stand for FOD, equipment, spillages and airbridge serviceability - and in BA that's the Red Cap. Following this procedure left a/c on the taxiway and crews and pax fuming.

Instead of devolving responsibility to others in the turnround team, BA approach BAA to leave all the SEGs on all the time. (AGNIS green?) so that pilots could pull onto stand and await the dispatcher whilst not blocking the thru route.

Now how that became "turn off all the taxiway green lights" I don't know.

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.

BTW I know the name of the person in BA who asked the question - but dare not speak his name!

Sir George Cayley

Quite a number of stands at LGW, could not have their stand guidance left on permanently, even if they wanted to.

The newer, laser type installations have to have the aircraft type entered on them via a small keypad on the stand and then a password to switch them on.

Sir George,

The thread was started as BA allegedly have asked for a meeting with HAL to get rid of the switcheable reds and greens at Heathrow and Gatwick for 3 main reasons , which are at the start of the thread. The parking problem was highlighted as at present BA seem to have a dire shortage of staff to switch guidance on before an aircraft pulls onto stand. This blocks cul-de-sacs and taxiways, DELAYING aircraft.

This thread is about wether pilots prefer the switcheable system at LHR and LGW, where we can route aircraft without long verbal clearances, or not.

autothrottle -
as endorsed by nearly all the feedback - it is undoubtedly an excellent sysyem. On the (very) few occasions when it is a slight hinderance - ie during periods of staff shortages / waiting for stopbars to be lowered - it may well, to some degree, cause extra delays.

If BA are, indeed, questioning the merits of the system - it should be pointed out to them that - overall, it without doubt, expedites ground movements.

We all know finding our way around the manoevring area can be the hardest part of the flight. Whilst it shouldn't be taken for granted, or used as an excuse to let your guard down - it will certainly help the large number of pilots for which LHR isn't their main base. How many times have we dawdled round a large, unfamiliar afld - like an old dear in sainsbury's car park :) - causing delay and frustration.

The 'delay beancounters' will obviously be unable to quantify this - and would be shortsighted to push for its withdrawl.

Keep the greens! They should be standard everywhere, much safer than the alternatives. More bad publicity for BA!