So I have just got home having flown back on the 919 from STR tonight after a complete comedy of errors. We took off half an hour or so late due to the high winds and were then further delayed sitting in the stack, the flight wasn't that eventful although final approach was a bit of a roller coaster with the winds and all. After landing we are taxiing to T5 and turn right early, T5C and already have an hour delayed, joy.
So we park up at the gate, it's a fancy new afair with no fewer than three jet-bridges all ready for the arrival of the 380s.
And we sit.
And sit.
There is a chap in a high viz jacket in one of the jet bridges looking confused, he wiggles the joystick, more confusion, he talks to someone on the radio then runs off.
He then re-appears on the first of the three jet bridges, realises we are on a 319 and disembarking via the over wing exit might be tricky. He disappears again.
Captain comes over the PA, no jet bridge, stairs on the way.
We sit.
15 minutes later stairs appear....at the back. It's a full 319 and I'm in 4A, lovely.
So I sit.
Finally get off, into the terminal and down to the trains....they are broken.
So I walk...15 minutes back to T5A.
And that's the story of the 919.
If it wasn't so ludicrous I would be angry but at least I got some exercise and a chance to see the tunnel eh!
Last edited by Joely; Nov 23, 12 at 2:56 am..
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Sorry to hear you had such a comedy of errors !
Quote:
There is a chap in a high viz jacket in one of the jet bridges looking confused, he wiggles the joystick, more confusion, he talks to someone on the radio then runs off
This is the best part of your thread however ! are you sure he wasnt a Council worker ?
cs
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Doesn't really seem to fit in on BA flyertalk anymore, hey ho, times change, I'm still around and might post from time to time, still read forum and PMs
I had an instance recently at STL where I was convinced the person reversing the jetway had no idea how to drive it. Backwards and forwards it went to the degree I was just waiting for the crash as it hit the side of the plane. Luckily the tug driver seemed to get the hint and just reversed us off pretty sharpish. Could have been a problem with the jetway controls I guess, but as I had only a 1hr connection at Detroit I was dreading any cock ups.
So I have just got home having flown back on the 919 tonight ..
Origin of the service doesn't make much of a contribution to this arrival farce, but flight number only is never a helpful reference for medium-grade geeks.
For those without a BA timetable app implanted in the cerebral cortex, 919 is from Stuttgart. (Thanks, Google)
I think they should have put in a moving walkway and it would not be so bad but that is a really long walk from T5 C, poor you.
P.S. how was the wrap?
It's certainly a long way and the last half is a fairly steep uphill gradient. The worst bit is the signs on the wall reminding you just how little of the walk you have completed!
Wrap was good thanks, went well with the G & T plus silly lemon!
Origin of the service doesn't make much of a contribution to this arrival farce, but flight number only is never a helpful reference for medium-grade geeks.
For those without a BA timetable app implanted in the cerebral cortex, 919 is from Stuttgart. (Thanks, Google)
Edited, I am only a medium-grade geek myself so I'm not sure how I missed that!
Bit harsh to blame this all on BAA. Yes, they are responsible for the trains to and from the T5 satellites. But the allocation of T5 stands to individual flights, the operation of the airbridges, the fact that a set of stairs was in the way, are all the responsibility of the airline or its handling agent (in this case BA is its own handling agent).
BA Captains do have a tendency to blame BAA for things like delays in attaching the airbridge, conveniently forgeting that it's a BA staff member that does such things.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BasilBush
Bit harsh to blame this all on BAA. Yes, they are responsible for the trains to and from the T5 satellites. But the allocation of T5 stands to individual flights, the operation of the airbridges, the fact that a set of stairs was in the way, are all the responsibility of the airline or its handling agent (in this case BA is its own handling agent).
BA Captains do have a tendency to blame BAA for things like delays in attaching the airbridge, conveniently forgeting that it's a BA staff member that does such things.
It is not BA that allocate stands. It is not BA that are responsible for the working of the air bridges.
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BA Captains do have a tendency to blame BAA for things like delays in attaching the airbridge, conveniently forgeting that it's a BA staff member that does such things.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Littlegirl
It is not BA that allocate stands. It is not BA that are responsible for the working of the air bridges.
Genuine LOL You have unfortunately just reinforced BasilBush's point quite nicely.
I was on BA1463 yesterday. We eventually landed at Heathrow an hour late, it was one of those landings where you can see the runway moving sideways as well as forward and each wheel slams down at different times.
I'm pretty sure that BA have responsibility for allocating stands at T5 - yes, it is a BAA responsibility at other terminals but not at T5 (but I stand to be corrected if someone knows for certain). I think this was also the case when BA were the dominant operator in T1 (and also T4).
As for airbridge availability, I agree this is down to BAA. But I read the post as the problem being that a set of stairs was in the way of the airbridge. Maybe the OP meant to type that the stairs were 'on the way', in which case my apologies.
My main point was that BA do have a tendency to blame the airport for any ground-related problems, whereas the truth is often a little more complicated.
I'm pretty sure that BA have responsibility for allocating stands at T5 - yes, it is a BAA responsibility at other terminals but not at T5 (but I stand to be corrected if someone knows for certain). I think this was also the case when BA were the dominant operator in T1 (and also T4).
As for airbridge availability, I agree this is down to BAA. But I read the post as the problem being that a set of stairs was in the way of the airbridge. Maybe the OP meant to type that the stairs were 'on the way', in which case my apologies.
My main point was that BA do have a tendency to blame the airport for any ground-related problems, whereas the truth is often a little more complicated.
sorry, was meant to read on the way, late night ipad typo!
While BA may operate the bridges, who maintains them?
Maintenance is definitely a BAA responsibility, and the CAA imposes a service level target on Heathrow, with financial penalties if these are missed. Often, however, the failure of an airbridge to work is down to faulty operation (such as being driven outside its limits, or obstructions on the apron). It's rarely a case of it being entirely A's fault or B's fault - which is the way it's often presented.
You have unfortunately just reinforced BasilBush's point quite nicely. 
