Continental, US Airways gets early start on new ground delay rules

[straitman]

Continental, US Airways gets early start on new ground delay rules.

By Joshua Freed, AP Airlines Writer
TEMPE, Ariz. — At least two airlines are already sending flights back to the gate if they're caught in tarmac delays approaching three hours, the cut-off point for new fines that take effect on April 29.


US Airways and Continental Airlines both said on Monday that they've started new procedures ahead of the government rules, which require airlines to let passengers off planes after delays of more than three hours. There are exceptions for issues such as safety, but it's not yet clear how often they'll be invoked.

 

[docjames]

Well, we'll get to see how passengers react soon.......:shock:

 

[samh004]

Being allowed to disembark after 2:55 on a plane is still complete BS. The fine might be at 3 hours, but if there’s a big issue you should be off way before then.

 

[serfty]

Being allowed to disembark after 2:55 on a plane is still complete BS. The fine might be at 3 hours, but if there’s a big issue you should be off way before then.

At least it's better than 5+ hours ...

 

[samh004]

At least it's better than 5+ hours ...

Still useless.

I guess the main issue, other than the time spent disembarking and re-boarding is the number of gates available not being enough for the planes to remain at the gates? Nothing that can be done there I suppose unless someone is cashed up enough to build bigger terminals with more gates.

 

[serfty]

Still useless.
...

A legislative line has to be drawn somewhere ...

 

[UP4014]

Was on an AA flight in Jan at LAX, delayed due to bad weather in SFO. When we did board 3 hours late we didn't leave the gate for an hour, the Captain came through the plane personally explaining to passengers he didn't want to leave the terminal until we had a landing slot at SFO. Just in case we pushed back and another plane took our place at the gate and we had to sit on the tarmac for hours waiting to come back to the terminal.

Most thoughtful and sorry to the poor buggers on a plane waiting for a gate, we sat there and had our drinks and snacks before leaving. (the flight being so rough because of the weather no in flight service was provided, also pleasing to see the Captain was a 50's, grey haired fit looking person rather than a 30yo willing to further his career quickly by getting us there regardless)

Matt
PS, I must say I quite enjoyed the view from the Admirals Club lounge at LAX (and the SFO one as well) they seem to be set up for plane spotters who like to lean at the bar while "getting the regos".

 

[straitman]

A little more info on this contentious issue :!:

The new tarmac delay rule: What you need to know.

By Samantha Bomkamp, AP Transportation Writer

NEW YORK — You've heard the horror stories of airline passengers stranded on the tarmac for hours without food or water or even sanitary bathroom conditions. Or worse, you've lived the experience. You wondered, why is this allowed to happen?

After years of sparring between passenger advocates and defiant airlines, the government has stepped in. Starting Thursday, U.S. airlines will have to let passengers off the plane after three hours or face potentially huge fines.

But depending on the airport you're at and the decisions made by pilots, passengers will have different experiences with the rule.

Here are some questions and answers related to the rule.

Q: Why pick three hours as the deadline?

A: The Transportation Department modeled the 3-hour cutoff on legislation that is still under consideration by Congress. Passenger advocates — led by Kate Hanni, who endured her own flight delay ordeal in 2006 — originally pushed for a two-hour limit. Three hours was a compromise.

Q: When does the clock start ticking?

A: Once the cabin doors close. If a plane sits at the gate with the doors open, that time doesn't count — whether it's five minutes or five hours.

Q: What happens when the 3-hour mark is approaching and we're still on the tarmac?

A: The pilot can opt to turn the plane around. But he'd better do so pronto because the countdown stops when the passengers are free to get off. US Airways has told pilots to turn back after 2.5 hours unless takeoff is imminent. Continental has less patience. Its pilots will turn around at the 2-hour mark.

Passengers can disembark at the gate or the airline could allow them to get off on the tarmac by using staircases or buses to shuttle them back to the terminal.

The pilot could decide to wait it out. But if a plane doesn't take off before three hours, the airline faces a fine from the Transportation Department of up to $27,500 per passenger. That's a lot of peanuts. Or bags of blue potato chips.

There is one condition where sitting beyond three hours is allowed. It's when the pilot decides (with the help of air traffic control) that it's not safe to move.

International airlines are not subject to the 3-hour delay rule, even if they land or takeoff from U.S. airports.