ATCers finally push back: "Airlines Cause Delays, Not Controllers"

[Pat]

There is a very interesting thread on the AOPA Forum about the ATC.
Many people know there is a problem with our commercial airline system but they think it is because of ATC.
The ATC is now stepping up even when they know their "Bread and Butter" is the airlines.
That they do not say is many cities are part of the problem. The FAA has tried to reduce the number of flights into Chicago because they cannot handle the schedule of traffic when an increase in spacing is required because of weather. We all know , Chicago has some weather.
The full response from the ATC is:
http://www.athgrp.com/NAS Congestion - Journal of ATC Article - Winter 2017.pdf
The short version is:
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-...h-group-airlines-cause-delays-not-controllers

 

[RNC]

Re: ATCers finally push back: "Airlines Cause Delays, Not Controllers"

There are many people at fault for poor airline efficiency, but I agree with the article that #1 has to be the airlines themselves.

The following things take time away from every flight:

1) Charging fees to check bags, resulting in people trying to carry excessive amounts of carry-on luggage to avoid the fees.

2) Tiered seating (first class, business class, economy class)

Those are coincidentally the things that SWA eliminated, and as a result are notoriously on-time. It's not uncommon for their flights to depart and arrive early, even.

 

[Pat]

Re: ATCers finally push back: "Airlines Cause Delays, Not Controllers"

There are a lot more differences between the airlines and schedules.
Look at the European airlines, they appear to be able to keep a schedule.
You mentioned Southwest.
A good friend, flies for the big guy. He said Southwest pilots get paid a standard rate for flight depending on the route. My friend gets paid from the take off roll to destination. Unless there is a delay of more than 15 minutes. Then they get paid from the gate to destination including the delay. They make more if the flight is delayed more than 15 minutes.

 

[FS]

Re: ATCers finally push back: "Airlines Cause Delays, Not Controllers"

On time means within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. So the flight can push back 14 minutes after the schedule time and still be considered on time. Same for the arrival: If it's within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival then it's still recorded as on time.

So having great on time statistics may not mean much. I'm also reasonably sure that all airlines pad their arrival times. That is, that the scheduled time from departure to arrival is more than the actual average flight time for a given leg. I've been on Southwest numerous times where we were disembarked before the scheduled arrival time.

 

[N4843W]

Re: ATCers finally push back: "Airlines Cause Delays, Not Controllers"

On time means within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. So the flight can push back 14 minutes after the schedule time and still be considered on time. Same for the arrival: If it's within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival then it's still recorded as on time.

So having great on time statistics may not mean much. I'm also reasonably sure that all airlines pad their arrival times. That is, that the scheduled time from departure to arrival is more than the actual average flight time for a given leg. I've been on Southwest numerous times where we were disembarked before the scheduled arrival time.

Some years ago, they added on about 20 minutes to any flight under 2.5 hours, and an hour for anything over. That "helped." Fun with statistics.