Airlines Must Let Paxs Off Stuck Planes

[anewunion]

How bout we fix the ATC problem, and no one will wait 3 hrs...

 

[Scope out RJ's]

How bout we fix the ATC problem, and no one will wait 3 hrs...

How dare you make complete sense!
Isn't it more feasable to keep the current system in place and tie up the court systems with more frivilous lawsuits?

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

How about we stop cramming a plus-size ladies into size-3 dresses.

Wait - I mean how about we stop cramming 1,000 daily operations into airports designed for 500?

(If only there was a way to get more people onto fewer planes. . . hmmmmm.)

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

If you have to take a pilot or a mechanic and push an empty plane back OFF the gate and hard-stand it, then do it. If you can't, get the air stairs that EVERY airport keeps on-property for jetbridge breakdowns and walk them in.

Maybe each airline/aiport should have X number of airstairs per plane.

Every airport has to have emergency plans in place for fires, tornadoes, etc. Maybe they should have a contingency plan for offloading passengers/crews. It could be a designated overflow parking area, or whatever, where buses can be escorted. Maybe it's just a spot at the end of the terminal where the plane parks momentarily to offload. It's not that complicated is it?

Airlines don't do anything unless the alternatives cost less. If a fine is more expensive than having to put in effect a plan, then the choice is obvious.

 

[General Lee]

Passengers will love it when at 2:59 we have to go back to the gate and CNX the flight, and then they have to find a hotel room on their dime since the flight is now cancelled due to WX. Hilarious.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[livin'thesim]

Well, the airlines did this to themselves by failing to plan for contingencies.

After the DTW debacle a few years ago, and the more recent examples, they have used up multiple chances to be proactive.

Now, the reactionary government will force the issue.

Well, they had ample warning.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Well, the airlines did this to themselves by failing to plan for contingencies.

After the DTW debacle a few years ago, and the more recent examples, they have used up multiple chances to be proactive.

Now, the reactionary government will force the issue.

Well, they had ample warning.

Good point, there are few examples of airports that can facilitate off-loading of passengers without a jetway.

Washington-Dulles is sort of unique with their "Planemate" vehicles. The vehicles are operated by the airport authority, so no single airline can stake claim to their use. (i.e. Mesaba supposedly barring that Expressjet flight from using their gate.) A lot of aircraft can be parked on a remote pad, and shuttled directly from the aircraft to the terminal.

It probably wouldn't be a terrible idea for some of the major hubs to have a couple of these vehicles and a docking door on the terminal for when things get really bad. At least this way you can get folks back to the terminal without a dedicated jetway and having to move aircraft all around.
Likewise, it could offer a way to allow people wishing to deplane a ride back to the terminal without having to take the aircraft all the way back terminal, and allowing others to stay on board while the plane waits in line.

 

[Lear70]

Well, the airlines did this to themselves by failing to plan for contingencies.

After the DTW debacle a few years ago, and the more recent examples, they have used up multiple chances to be proactive.

Now, the reactionary government will force the issue.

Well, they had ample warning.

That's essentially it.

If the airlines would respond by putting a REASONABLE contingency plan into place, say at 6 hours, hard limit, and show that every airport they served had the equipment and procedures to do it, they could probably effectively lobby to repeal this latest move by the Obama administration.

Otherwise, if they won't, then they can just be stuck with it. Something had to be done...

 

[Turtle21]

Costs will go up because of this little gem. Question is: Who's gonna pay for it?

The FOs and FAs sitting reserve. :laugh:

 

[jonjuan]

How about we stop cramming a plus-size ladies into size-3 dresses.

Watch it, or Mrs. Lee will accuse you of slander.