Originally Posted by
Gold Digger
Hi everyone
Currently sat on BA277 to HYD which was scheduled to leave at 1505 but now told we’re going to be on the tarmac for another 45 minutes (ETD therefore 1715).
When we boarded, we were told that ATC clearance was delayed and that in the captain’s view, rather than leaving us to mill around in the terminal building, clearance to take off could be expedited if we completed boarding, pulled away from the gate and sat on some other part of the apron.
All rather strange. Does anyone have any insight as to the reason for the delay?
thanks
GD
Possibly some mixed messages or misunderstandings - a 'ready' message can be put to ATC once the airbridge is retracted and the aircraft is ready to pushback. The aircraft's location on the airfield will have no impact on the slot time given by ATC though - the only possible impact will be from any 'ready' messages given by aircraft that are ready before their pushback time AIUI.
OTOH pushing back to hold at a remote stand may be advantageous from
BA's perspective as they control the stand allocation at T5. It barely has enough stands for normal operations, let alone any kind of major delays, so it's understandable that they'd encourage crews to push back to free up a gate even if they can't depart just yet.