FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Why Do Americans Tolerate "Gate Waiting?"
Old Dec 30, 2019, 9:27 am
  #36  
Jinxed_K
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: BOS
Programs: JMB, AMC
Posts: 162
Thought this thread was going to be about people who wait at the gate before their group is called...

Originally Posted by garykung
I believe it may have something to do with ACAA, i.e. the law makes it more difficult to use temporary facilities like bus gates.
I'm inclined to agree with this, especially for new airports/terminals.
From an operator's point of view, it's probably a lot easier to accommodate (for example) a wheelchair by having the plane wait for a gate/jetway and roll it to the door than having a lift or ramp vehicle on standby at a hardstand for that 'just in case it gets routed there' moments when a gate is not available. Not to mention the staff training and the need for a ground level/accessible door at the terminal which connects securely to Immigration/Customs if required.

I don't see an issue with moving a plane to a hardstand if the airport is already equipped to handle embarking/disembarking from the ground, but I can't see airports building new hardstands just so a plane doesn't have to wait for a gate/jetway when they're full at the time of touchdown.
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