Originally Posted by
username
I know the schedule time is padded but the strange thing is the estimated gate arrival time once the plane is in the air is still way off.
I think the larger jets have data links that updates the position and wheels up times with the computer. Maybe the regional jets don't do it and they don't update this any other way?
That's very possible.
99% of my flying on UaCo is on PMCO ExpressJet RJ's and I can tell you the notifications and updates for delays are essentially non-existent.
For example, it's routine for a flight departure to be listed as "on time" (on all media, website, pda site, airport monitors) even after it has been delayed for hours.
I have to assume it's an ExpressJet issue, but it's troubling because RJ's represent over half of all domestic departures daily in the system.