Seattle Runway Construction
Nov 2, 2018, 2:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SFO/SEA
Programs: Gold 75K
Posts: 218
Seattle Runway Construction
I've had a few flights recently from SFO to SEA where we've boarded and then been told, that due to Runway Construction we had a "wheels up" time about an hour later than planned.
My question--each time the pilots announce this just as we're ready to push back, as if it is an unexpected surprise. Are the one hour holds for runway construction really that last minute?
And yes, I know delays happen. And, I understand there may be reasons to board the plane at the scheduled time for gate management. But, iff Alaska knows the delays are coming, I'd appreciate at a minimum they let us know we'll be on the ground for an extra hour so I could buy some food or use the restroom.
My question--each time the pilots announce this just as we're ready to push back, as if it is an unexpected surprise. Are the one hour holds for runway construction really that last minute?
And yes, I know delays happen. And, I understand there may be reasons to board the plane at the scheduled time for gate management. But, iff Alaska knows the delays are coming, I'd appreciate at a minimum they let us know we'll be on the ground for an extra hour so I could buy some food or use the restroom.
Nov 2, 2018, 2:45 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
I've had a few flights recently from SFO to SEA where we've boarded and then been told, that due to Runway Construction we had a "wheels up" time about an hour later than planned.
My question--each time the pilots announce this just as we're ready to push back, as if it is an unexpected surprise. Are the one hour holds for runway construction really that last minute?
And yes, I know delays happen. And, I understand there may be reasons to board the plane at the scheduled time for gate management. But, iff Alaska knows the delays are coming, I'd appreciate at a minimum they let us know we'll be on the ground for an extra hour so I could buy some food or use the restroom.
My question--each time the pilots announce this just as we're ready to push back, as if it is an unexpected surprise. Are the one hour holds for runway construction really that last minute?
And yes, I know delays happen. And, I understand there may be reasons to board the plane at the scheduled time for gate management. But, iff Alaska knows the delays are coming, I'd appreciate at a minimum they let us know we'll be on the ground for an extra hour so I could buy some food or use the restroom.
Nov 2, 2018, 2:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
Neil
Nov 2, 2018, 3:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
The airline usually has an estimated wheels up before boarding starts.
One of the things I really miss about flying UA is that they used to publish the estimated takeoff time to GDS (accessible through ExpertFlyer, etc.), so I always had a good idea of whether my connection was shot or not. AS is considerably less transparent with this type of data.
One of the things I really miss about flying UA is that they used to publish the estimated takeoff time to GDS (accessible through ExpertFlyer, etc.), so I always had a good idea of whether my connection was shot or not. AS is considerably less transparent with this type of data.
Nov 2, 2018, 3:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 90
I've had a few flights recently from SFO to SEA where we've boarded and then been told, that due to Runway Construction we had a "wheels up" time about an hour later than planned.
My question--each time the pilots announce this just as we're ready to push back, as if it is an unexpected surprise. Are the one hour holds for runway construction really that last minute?
And yes, I know delays happen. And, I understand there may be reasons to board the plane at the scheduled time for gate management. But, iff Alaska knows the delays are coming, I'd appreciate at a minimum they let us know we'll be on the ground for an extra hour so I could buy some food or use the restroom.
My question--each time the pilots announce this just as we're ready to push back, as if it is an unexpected surprise. Are the one hour holds for runway construction really that last minute?
And yes, I know delays happen. And, I understand there may be reasons to board the plane at the scheduled time for gate management. But, iff Alaska knows the delays are coming, I'd appreciate at a minimum they let us know we'll be on the ground for an extra hour so I could buy some food or use the restroom.
Nov 2, 2018, 4:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
We had this happen to us on a Skywest E175 DAL-SEA with about an hour delay. I was up front and could hear the cockpit conversations. Pilots became aware of this delay shortly after boarding started. After everyone was boarded they made the decision to let everyone get off, even though they would have to re-board in about 20 minutes. It was a nice break and re-boarding went smoothly. Our wheels up time did stick to that time. We spent about 10 minutes in the penalty box before that time so it was held firm.
I have not had the ground stops if Seattle weather is perfect, but any periods of low ceilings during the day triggers the longer ground stops it appears. This is supposed to be wrapped up in December... not sure exactly when. I do see the work on the taxiway (forcing closure of the runway) being constant and making good progress, so I am hoping the pain ends sooner.
I have not had the ground stops if Seattle weather is perfect, but any periods of low ceilings during the day triggers the longer ground stops it appears. This is supposed to be wrapped up in December... not sure exactly when. I do see the work on the taxiway (forcing closure of the runway) being constant and making good progress, so I am hoping the pain ends sooner.
Nov 2, 2018, 8:22 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Imagine some of the reason they'd want to board and have you sit on the tarmac before takeoff vs in the airport is to clear up the gate for other departing or arriving flights. Given how folks have described AS' overly ambitious utilization of gates at SEA, I could see the option of holding boarding until closer to the ATC departure window only leading to further delays/cancellations of other flights.
Nov 2, 2018, 10:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: CO - Onepass Gold Elite--> UA - MileagePlus Gold Premier--> Silver --> AS - MileagePlan MVPGOLD!
Posts: 735
We had this happen to us on a Skywest E175 DAL-SEA with about an hour delay. I was up front and could hear the cockpit conversations. Pilots became aware of this delay shortly after boarding started. After everyone was boarded they made the decision to let everyone get off, even though they would have to re-board in about 20 minutes. It was a nice break and re-boarding went smoothly. Our wheels up time did stick to that time. We spent about 10 minutes in the penalty box before that time so it was held firm.
I have not had the ground stops if Seattle weather is perfect, but any periods of low ceilings during the day triggers the longer ground stops it appears. This is supposed to be wrapped up in December... not sure exactly when. I do see the work on the taxiway (forcing closure of the runway) being constant and making good progress, so I am hoping the pain ends sooner.
I have not had the ground stops if Seattle weather is perfect, but any periods of low ceilings during the day triggers the longer ground stops it appears. This is supposed to be wrapped up in December... not sure exactly when. I do see the work on the taxiway (forcing closure of the runway) being constant and making good progress, so I am hoping the pain ends sooner.
I have actually had ZERO delays in/out of Seattle so far this year. Maybe I'm just traveling during lulls in the daily traffic patterns. I hope it continues, because I booked a multi-airline connection there during the holidays. Which, as I type that, I now realize was a stoopid plan!
Nov 3, 2018, 2:25 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
I have actually had ZERO delays in/out of Seattle so far this year. Maybe I'm just traveling during lulls in the daily traffic patterns. I hope it continues, because I booked a multi-airline connection there during the holidays. Which, as I type that, I now realize was a stoopid plan!
Nov 3, 2018, 2:56 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
It happened to me today on a YVR-SEA flight. Boarded and was told our wheels up time was about 50 minutes from then due to SEA runway construction but we would taxi out and be ready to take off in the hope that we were given clearance to depart earlier. Sure enough, we ended up only waiting for about 5 minutes once we made it out to the runway. So I am all for boarding on time and then sitting on the tarmac, even if it is in that torture chamber known as the Q400. Worked out very well today.
Nov 3, 2018, 4:27 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
It happened to me today on a YVR-SEA flight. Boarded and was told our wheels up time was about 50 minutes from then due to SEA runway construction but we would taxi out and be ready to take off in the hope that we were given clearance to depart earlier. Sure enough, we ended up only waiting for about 5 minutes once we made it out to the runway. So I am all for boarding on time and then sitting on the tarmac, even if it is in that torture chamber known as the Q400. Worked out very well today.
Nov 3, 2018, 11:07 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
If you are on a Q400 inbound to SEA, esp. later in the day or poor weather, your prospects are grim. E75s are borderline.
Nov 3, 2018, 12:26 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
The wheels up times usually come from clearance delivery or ground.
If they’re a short wheels up time (like the 10-15 minute delays that are normal on the shuttle routes), usually those are congestion and Seattle center/approach needs to meter the planes coming in to their airspace. Most planes are routed over Portland, Spokane and Vancouver to enter SEA Approach, and there is only so much sky for planes to go in.
I need to travel with you.
I’ve been delayed this year at SEA due to fog, construction, congestion, smoke, wind, sun, crew positioning, a swarm of locusts and clouds.
If they’re a short wheels up time (like the 10-15 minute delays that are normal on the shuttle routes), usually those are congestion and Seattle center/approach needs to meter the planes coming in to their airspace. Most planes are routed over Portland, Spokane and Vancouver to enter SEA Approach, and there is only so much sky for planes to go in.
I have actually had ZERO delays in/out of Seattle so far this year. Maybe I'm just traveling during lulls in the daily traffic patterns. I hope it continues, because I booked a multi-airline connection there during the holidays. Which, as I type that, I now realize was a stoopid plan!
I’ve been delayed this year at SEA due to fog, construction, congestion, smoke, wind, sun, crew positioning, a swarm of locusts and clouds.
Last edited by tusphotog; Nov 3, 2018 at 12:36 pm
Nov 3, 2018, 2:04 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,388
The wheels up times usually come from clearance delivery or ground.
If they’re a short wheels up time (like the 10-15 minute delays that are normal on the shuttle routes), usually those are congestion and Seattle center/approach needs to meter the planes coming in to their airspace. Most planes are routed over Portland, Spokane and Vancouver to enter SEA Approach, and there is only so much sky for planes to go in.
I need to travel with you.
I’ve been delayed this year at SEA due to fog, construction, congestion, smoke, wind, sun, crew positioning, a swarm of locusts and clouds.
If they’re a short wheels up time (like the 10-15 minute delays that are normal on the shuttle routes), usually those are congestion and Seattle center/approach needs to meter the planes coming in to their airspace. Most planes are routed over Portland, Spokane and Vancouver to enter SEA Approach, and there is only so much sky for planes to go in.
I need to travel with you.
I’ve been delayed this year at SEA due to fog, construction, congestion, smoke, wind, sun, crew positioning, a swarm of locusts and clouds.