Originally Posted by
JeffCO
As I said, the data are a little messy and the categories broad, and maybe departure time isn't the best metric and etc. etc., *but* overall it looks to me like these data do indeed support my impression. When United had to delay departure at least half an hour due to weather, which happened less than once a month, nearly 4 out of 6 times Frontier had to also. But when Frontier had to delay departure at least half an hour due to weather, which it did roughly 3x/month, United had to do likewise only about 1 out of 6 times.
What remains unclear is the reason for the difference.
Comparing data over time is difficult. It mixes in situations where the aircraft might be in LGA ontime or delayed, Enroute delayed for ATC or other reasons or still on a ground delay at an airport upline. Apples to Oranges especially at LGA.
If say a UA inbound flight was already enroute to LGA and would arrive prior to the F9 aircraft it's departure is more assured to be out of LGA earlier. ATC is pretty good at this. FIFO But every go around creates a very dynamic situation.
Also if in addition to local weather ATC may put an airspace flow program into effect and F9 wasn't willing or able to file a flight plan flying around other weather (more $$ fuel burn) and UA was well that's a different issue.
If you posted the date and flight we could look at it more closely vs the UA flights.