ACARS and on-time question

[Snaab]

Wanted to know when ACARS 'starts' and 'stops' to record the time block to block. My plane, the Saab, doesn't have it. We're supposed to call times as we see it. If bags are loaded slowly or we have a late straggler that technically makeus us 2, 3, or 4 minutes late off the gate, obviously we can make it up in the air and the CA calls it an "on-time" departure. Get into the arrival gate early or on-time....No problem.

My questions:
* If the same happens to an ACARS-equipped plane, does the Captain get a call asking why he was 4 minutes late off the gate?
* When does ACARS start and stop?
* Is it always prudent to try and get off the gate a few minutes early to avoid being 'late' in and ACARS-equipped plane?
* Any interesting ACARS stories?

Just curious about working w/ ACARS, as I haven't yet! Thanks.


Snaab

 

[Baronman]

We have ACARS at XJT so I can answer some of the questions...

You get blocked "OUT" when the parking brake is released and all doors are closed. Usually we're waiting on the bag door to drop the brake, sometimes we're waiting on a tug driver to be in position to give us the "Clear to release parking brake."

It is prudent to get out a couple minutes early to get paid in an ACARS aircraft.

If we're late, we're late...If it's something that ops has been monitering, then they know who to assign the delay to, maintenance, catering, late bags etc.
Sometimes you get into a pissing match with ops to see who it's assigned to.
Doesn't really matter, it's always something...

 

[hbrow15]

to ad to what baronman said, if all doors are closed you drop the brake get an out time and reset the parking brake and continue doing checklist or whatever as you are out ontime. Also if you have a late passenger or bags after you already blocked out the display will show a new time from when the doors are re-closed and the Brake released but you are still out ontime as the first time is what counts. As Baronman said we try to get out early(up to 10min) so we can get paid. Talking to some guys that been around awhile before XJT had ACARS, it really paid for itself because when they had to call times every leg was out 5 early and in 10 late to boost the paycheck.

 

[flyer172r]

Usually when we leave late on an ACARS-plane, we get a message from dispatch after taking off asking why we were late. There is a page in the ACARS menu that will let you send in the reason for any delay, but at TSA at least it doesn't matter if you send it in or not, they still ask.

There are ways around having to have all the doors closed before you release the parking brake.

 

[j41driver]

Different aircraft have different types of ACARS.

The ACARS on the 717 captures 5 times: Door Closed/Out/Off/On/In. The others that I've used do not capture Door Closed.

The "Out" time is what is used to monitor on time departures and is captured when the airplane moves either by tug or under its own power.

The J41 needed all of the doors closed, oil pressure on one engine, and the parking brake released to generate an Out time. The DoJet and CRJ just needed the doors closed and parking brake released.

 

[Flyerjosh]

Like everything else in the system, there's always a way to bend the system. Depending on the crew, there might be a way to tricking the box into thinking you're out (pop the brake, reset it), or depending on the unit just reinitialize the system to get a correct time. I have also just called ops over the radio and called a "correct" time. ACARS isn't flawless...

 

[j41driver]

I have also just called ops over the radio and called a "correct" time.

That worked pretty well at ACA...not so much at AirTran.

 

[wheelsup]

Like everything else in the system, there's always a way to bend the system. Depending on the crew, there might be a way to tricking the box into thinking you're out (pop the brake, reset it), or depending on the unit just reinitialize the system to get a correct time.

It depends on the software. The acars AWAC has won't record a push time unless every door is closed (including the cargo door, not just the pax door). If you pop the breaker, it will capture the time it re-initializes at when pushed back in, which defeats the purpose (unless you're doing it as you pull INTO the gate...and want to get paid while the pax get off, but I've never heard of anyone actually doing that).

 

[Snaab]

Thanks for the replies! Not sure why our planes don't have ACARS, but I can take a good guess as to why. I enjoy flying with different CAs- some *always* call it out on time, while some literally look at their watch when the tug starts rolling and then again when we're "cleared for takeoff."

I'm in the right seat, so I don't make that call yet. Haha.

Snaab

 

[blueridge71]

Not sure why our planes don't have ACARS, but I can take a good guess as to why.

ASA either.

A little birdie told me: CHEEP CHEEP.

 

[skiandsurf]

Thanks for the replies! Not sure why our planes don't have ACARS, but I can take a good guess as to why. I enjoy flying with different CAs- some *always* call it out on time, while some literally look at their watch when the tug starts rolling and then again when we're "cleared for takeoff."
I'm in the right seat, so I don't make that call yet. Haha.
Snaab

If your captain always calls it on-time, even when late, the problems will never get fixed. ( late due to no rampers, captain calls it on-time; company thinks they have enough rampers).

I always tried to call it what it was. If your late out, you will probably be late in, so it shouldn't effect you pay.

 

[great cornholio]

.

A little birdie told me: CHEEP CHEEP.

Have you ever spent any time in STL and seen those stupid commercials for Dirt Cheap Liquor Stores with that guy in a chicken suit dancing around with a bottle of rum in each hand and saying "CHEAP CHEAP" like every few secs. I see that stupid thing in my sleep now. So thanks for getting that stuck in my head once again.

 

[flyer172r]

Have you ever spent any time in STL and seen those stupid commercials for Dirt Cheap Liquor Stores with that guy in a chicken suit dancing around with a bottle of rum in each hand and saying "CHEAP CHEAP" like every few secs. I see that stupid thing in my sleep now. So thanks for getting that stuck in my head once again.

Gee, thanks for reminding me of that, hadn't seen it in a while and I was much happier for it.

 

[Motive Flow]

Have you ever spent any time in STL and seen those stupid commercials for Dirt Cheap Liquor Stores with that guy in a chicken suit dancing around with a bottle of rum in each hand and saying "CHEAP CHEAP" like every few secs. I see that stupid thing in my sleep now. So thanks for getting that stuck in my head once again.

It's nice to have a liquor store next door to the public library (St. Charles/Rock Road).

"Remember, the more you drink, the better she looks."
"CHEAP, CHEAP! FUN, FUN!"

 

[great cornholio]

Gotta love Crack Rock Rd. Its all liquor stores, fast food places, and check cashing places...oh and the random sex store.

Man I cant rememeber anything else that old dude says..but I think he usually says something like "stay safe out there" then "CHEAP CHEAP FUN FUN" anyways I think he should say "I need your money more than you need your liver" "CHEAP CHEAP FUN FUN"

Oh and since Im on a rant about STL in my crashpad in STL how about those crazy Becky's Carpet commericals...I know I watch way too much TV, but I've been on reserve for the past 6 months. When I was a new hire a few years ago she used to ride a magic carpet around STL now she just talks smack so its not nearly as much fun, although she does have a 30 minute infomercial that runs at night.

Rant over.