Originally Posted by
SCEflyer
+ 1. The only point that I have to add is that schedule padding is not limited to JFK. I will often take an < 1.0 hour from XXX to ATL, which will arrive 15 minutes early, and we sit on the airplane until the gate is clear. On the other hand, however, the A/C often times has been in XXX overnight, and will need to be deiced before the AM departure, which will consume much of the pad, and the flight will still arrive on time.
Certainly it isn't. In fact, a good majority of Delta flights arrive early. ATL is more padded on the 30 minute territory. JFK is more like the 50 minute variety. Yes, I agree, arriving early can result in no gate being available but it seems like that has been a little better in ATL lately. You actually consider deicing time? Wow. A fair number of smaller outstations that deice at the gate, get that out of the way long before any passengers arrive...well maybe not long before but you get the idea. But yes, deicing can consume the pad and about 20 other things could too but usually doesn't.