SFO Ops - UGH
Dec 26, 2019, 6:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 331
SFO Ops - UGH
Sitting on AS 421 (SFO - SEA) right now, sched departure 17:10. Boarded like clockwork at 16:30, all done by 17:00. Then we sat and sat, and the FA comes on and says we are ready to go but we are waiting on pilots that are en route from Seattle and scheduled to land in one hour.
So, delays happen, but why the heck did we board when it was clearly known that we’d be delayed by at least an hour? Cmon Alaska.
So, delays happen, but why the heck did we board when it was clearly known that we’d be delayed by at least an hour? Cmon Alaska.
Dec 30, 2019, 12:24 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: Alaska, Bonvoy, HH
Posts: 482
Funny, I had a rather different delay experience @ SFO on Sat.
Flight to PDX was delayed an hour apparently because the crew had timed out.
AS put a beverage cart (self-serve) out at the gate while we waited.
Flight to PDX was delayed an hour apparently because the crew had timed out.
AS put a beverage cart (self-serve) out at the gate while we waited.
Dec 30, 2019, 1:03 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SFO/SEA
Programs: Gold 75K
Posts: 218
That's my pet peeve with SFO ops. It often appears obvious that there are delays coming because the aircraft is still a distance away, or in your case, the pilots aren't there. If it's that obvious, they should be transparent with the information, and definitely not board a plane to make folks sit for an hour.
Jan 1, 2020, 6:07 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold; Hilton Diamond; National C ar Executive Elite
Posts: 732
This happens a lot with the SFO-DAL route with Embraers when there is fog or heavy rain at SFO and not at SJC. The E’s can land at SJC so AS will switch airports to keep the birds flying. I appreciate that AS wants to get the flight and minimize any on ground delays, out but the additional 40 min drive to SJC is not easy to accommodate when you’re driving down from north of the golden gate.
Jan 1, 2020, 8:00 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
Come to think of it, I have long wanted to try the Monterey Airbus.
Jan 2, 2020, 3:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,966
This happens a lot with the SFO-DAL route with Embraers when there is fog or heavy rain at SFO and not at SJC. The E’s can land at SJC so AS will switch airports to keep the birds flying. I appreciate that AS wants to get the flight and minimize any on ground delays, out but the additional 40 min drive to SJC is not easy to accommodate when you’re driving down from north of the golden gate.
Jan 2, 2020, 4:52 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
Since none of the routes I fly are ERJ-only, I just avoid the ERJ flights when booking out of SFO. Have never been diverted to SJC or OAK on mainline. Not saying it can’t happen, but seems to happen most often with ERJs.
Jan 2, 2020, 4:55 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: sometimes, strangely, I find myself at home
Programs: I need to do better in managing my affiliations. Oops, I overshot the runway for status next year.
Posts: 651
Jan 2, 2020, 9:29 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,639
Mainline flights do divert. RJs are first obviously (fewer people to inconvenience/reaccomodate). Only caveat is so far I haven't seen any Airbii to OAK; if you're on one you're likely going to SJC if you divert. At some point presumably they'll schedule them into OAK (and will then be able to handle diverts) but they haven't yet.
Jan 3, 2020, 7:58 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,966
This must happen more often than I thought. They have a whole page devoted to it - https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...ng-to-bay-area
and https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...-from-bay-area
and https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...-from-bay-area
Jan 4, 2020, 9:29 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 282
You all get me nervous. If I have a 6AM PDX-SFO (737-9) flight is it less likely to be significantly delayed/diverted due to the early departure? (I'm assuming it's early enough where ATC won't be too backed up yet on a foggy morning).