SYD delays from single runway operation

[Melburnian1]

SYD appears to be on Mode 13 this afternoon (arrivals from the east, departures to the west) so not unnaturally with one of the peak periods during the day fast approaching - 1800 to 1900 hours - there are plenty of delays.

The temperature at SYD is 33.2 with a westerly wind of 35 kilometres an hour, gusting to 54 kmh but down in MEL where I am, out at Tulla it is a chilly 10.2 degrees with a SSW wind of 28 kilometres an hour but gusts to 57 kmh.

It isn't the first time and won't be the last, but that's a fair bit of climate variability between the two largest capitals.

With this Mode 13 (?) operation at SYD having a likely maximum capacity of 37 combined arrivals and departures per hour (below what is needed at the busiest times), do JQ, QF, TT and VA tend to delay boarding until 15 minutes before the likely departure time as amended by ATC if an altered schedule is necessary, or do the carriers prefer to get everyone on board as quickly as possible in case the aircraft concerned is able to advance in the 'queue' for departures:

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/LTOP_Mode13.pdf

 

[russ]

I assume that airlines would rather not start crew duty time until they have to

The departure boards here in Sydney show delays in boarding of half an hour or so

 

[Melburnian1]

Nothing like input from a reporter at the scene. Thank you russ.

 

[russ]

You're welcome.

FYi they are serving the chicken parmigiana tonight.

 

[aupirate]

Nothing like input from a reporter at the scene. Thank you russ.

Not on scene but my daughter had a choppy flight on REX Bega to Syd a couple of hrs ago. Cabin crew said 5 pax threw up on the way down to Bega. She had the hostee sitting on the floor in the aisle fanning her, other pax passing her ginger etc etc. Her comments, worst flight ever and shes had a rough one coming into Wellington on an ATR in the past so either shes fogotten or it was bad.

 

[russ]

I was going to fly the chopper to lunch in the Hunter Valley today, but the forecast was for winds gusting up to 40kt and severe turbulence.

Needless to say, I stayed on the ground!

 

[Melburnian1]

SYD has just begun using the two main north/south runways, so hopefully the delays should reduce although many planes would now have suffered from earlier delays and the cascading effect of other aircraft being behind time.

However after only about 40 minutes, SYD is again on single runway operations using runway 25.

 

[JohnK]

The departure boards here in Sydney show delays in boarding of half an hour or so

I wish they had taken that approach with my flight.

Not a happy chap yesterday. Boarding started a few minutes late and they rushed to get everyone on board. As soon as the last person (me) sat down the captain announced a ~45 minute hold. Grrr..... Why couldn't they delay boarding for ~45 minutes?

Just as well this unhappy chap was offered a wine/beer from the front of the cabin to calm down my nerves. And then offered another beer with the snack service in case the first beer did not have the desired effect.

 

[Melburnian1]

Perhaps, JohnK, the onboard staff had thought that they could get away fairly promptly, but ATC changed its collective mind.

I agree that it's boring for passengers to have to sit on a plane when you are informed it's not leaving for a substantial time. Probably irritating for the flight and cabin crew as well.

 

[UP4014]

During bad weather a good crew won't leave the terminal without the all clear from the gate to destination.

Otherwise we'll fall into the US trap of stuck on taxiways for hours. Thankfully here we don't have the mass of traffic and really bad weather just pockets of a few hours at a time.

M

 

[JohnK]

Down to one runway again today.

Looks like I will get to OOL much later than expected and good luck trying to get to Milton before midnight.

 

[russ]

Wind 030 at 15kt. I didn't realise they changed runways for that little crosswind.

Oh well, another long night eating QF J Lounge Slop (Argentinian beef slop to be precise)

 

[russ]

Aha! A UA driver left the handbrake on.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/open-discussion/problem-at-syd-54871.html

 

[JohnK]

I feel much better knowing the reason for the delay and the wonderful speech by the captain telling us that they rushed to board us so we can sit here another 40 minutes. And he will try to get us to OOL as quickly as possible. Seriously I would rather have sat crying in the lounge instead of sitting here being offered a cup of water.

Do they even give a cough that people are going to struggle to get to where they are going at the other end? It is not like I can just pay $200 for a cab to Brisbane. Can I?

I know it is not the captains fault but "Apologies for any inconvenience caused" does not make me feel better.

 

[russ]

They rushed to board you?? Why?

Anyway, I'm still in the lounge. I'll have a drink for you if it makes you feel better.

 

[RooFlyer]

I feel much better knowing the reason for the delay and the wonderful speech by the captain telling us that they rushed to board us so we can sit here another 40 minutes. And he will try to get us to OOL as quickly as possible. Seriously I would rather have sat crying in the lounge instead of sitting here being offered a cup of water.

Do they even give a cough that people are going to struggle to get to where they are going at the other end? It is not like I can just pay $200 for a cab to Brisbane. Can I?

I know it is not the captains fault but "Apologies for any inconvenience caused" does not make me feel better.

Which do you want? Greater comfort during the delay or a greater likelihood of getting to the other end sooner? The two aren't usually compatible.

You are much better placed to get a take-off clearance sooner if everyone is on board, ready to roll as soon as an opening becomes available. If you are in the lounge and other pax scattered about, add at least 1/2 an hour to any possible departure time, probably more.

 

[JohnK]

They rushed to board you?? Why?

Anyway, I'm still in the lounge. I'll have a drink for you if it makes you feel better.

Who knows why they rushed to board. Still sitting here with no sign of pushback.

That drink sounds good. Do they deliver?

 

[Mattg]

An Air NZ A320 just flew over my house on approach to CBR..

Edit: Looks like QF56 from AKL diverted to CBR earlier as well.

 

[JohnK]

Which do you want? Greater comfort during the delay or a greater likelihood of getting to the other end sooner? The two aren't usually compatible.

You are much better placed to get a take-off clearance sooner if everyone is on board, ready to roll as soon as an opening becomes available. If you are in the lounge and other pax scattered about, add at least 1/2 an hour to any possible departure time, probably more.

We sat in aircraft waiting 1h 15m befire pushing back a few metres and then waited another 25m before taking off 2 hours late.

Not the end of the world but I was extremely tired last night arriving Brisbane 9h 30m after leaving home in Sydney. Probably more tired today trying to do a 10h day at work.

 

[N860CR]

If ATC are requiring start clearances at SYD, the crew need to call for clearance 10 minutes prior to pushback. They will then be given an approval, told to call back or given an approximate pushback time.

The issue with this is that the aircraft needs to be boarded and ready to go when the crew call for pushback. If ATC come back and say pushback is approved and the aircraft is not ready, then it goes to the bottom of the queue.

Even if they say to expect to push in say 45 minutes, that is not a confirmed time. I can think of dozens of examples where an expectation of 30-60 min delay ends up being 15 minutes. The aircraft needs to be ready to go when the approval is granted.

Unfortunately, this means having the passengers onboard when the crew is ready.