Originally Posted by
Jacinda
Does Departure time mean different things to different people?
It certainly does. What does it mean to you?
Among the departure times you can choose are:
- Time the gate was closed, so you can't then arrive at the gate and get on board.
- Time the door was shut, so no-one can get off the aircraft
- Time the captain asked the Tower to depart
- Time the Tower said it's OK to leave
- Time the pushback mechanism actually started and the aircraft physically started to move
- Having pusbbacked, disengaged from the tug / Mototok, the aircraft taxis under its own steam (yes, whatever) around the airport
- Aircraft says it's ready to take off, all checks completed
- Tower gives clearance to take off
- Aircraft actually takes off.