BA diversion Feb 17
Feb 17, 2010, 1:57 pm
#1
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BA diversion Feb 17
I just googled "Warsaw airport power" and read two news articles about the tower's power outage today. Says 8 flights diverted (ours, 846, not mentioned), and that they were up and running by noon. My flight was due in at 1140, we circled quite a while, pilot came on and said fuel constraints mandated diversion to Krakow. This was well after noon. Held on plane just a few minutes, pilot says no way will there be timely resolution, so 6 hour bus ride back to WAW. What the hey? Who's lying here, and why? Did BA decide cheaper to use the plane elsewhere? I'm sure we could have flown back and arrived WAW much sooner than the bus--when we got back to the airport, flights were arriving. Any thoughts?
Feb 17, 2010, 2:14 pm
#2
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The article I read said power was restored around 1200 GMT, which is going to be around 1300 in Poland, isn't it?
And there may have been further delays once the power came back, as things take time to get back to normal. There would probably also be knock-on slot delays which might explain the decision to bus passengers.
And there may have been further delays once the power came back, as things take time to get back to normal. There would probably also be knock-on slot delays which might explain the decision to bus passengers.
Feb 17, 2010, 4:47 pm
#3
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I highly doubt that the decision to divert was taken lightly.
After the safety consideration of the aircraft and passengers, the flight crew also have a commercial consideration to make and by diverting, this in no way saves, or lessens expenses for BA, it has quite the oposite effect and makes things a heck of a lot more expensive. Having aircraft and crew out of position creates a chain of events that can cause havoc to the operation.
After the safety consideration of the aircraft and passengers, the flight crew also have a commercial consideration to make and by diverting, this in no way saves, or lessens expenses for BA, it has quite the oposite effect and makes things a heck of a lot more expensive. Having aircraft and crew out of position creates a chain of events that can cause havoc to the operation.
Feb 17, 2010, 11:36 pm
#4
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Yeah, I'm sure BA not thrilled about situation, and both of you probably right, but I wonder if the uncertainty of a crew hanging around waiting to take us to WAW was economically less desirable than getting them out of KRK and back in service, poor pax be damned. And, if no slot available at WAW, they could have bussed us from somewhere out on the tarmac, like they did in KRK. Or landed at the other airport (maybe no customs there?) Huge hassle, less so for me than some others whose time was critical. Arriving 8 hours and 20 minutes late after 6 hours in toilet-less bus not fun. What made me question the whole thing were the inaccuracies in the news story--coulda been the reporter, I know.
Feb 17, 2010, 11:57 pm
#5
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Having said that, the OP could have insisted on being re-routed on the closest LO flight KRK-WAW (failing which, (s)he could have purchased a ticket him/herself and claimed the reimbursement later).
[KVS Availability Tool 5.2.0/Diamond - Amadeus Operational Info: BA 846/17 Feb 2010]
Code:
BRITISH AIRWAYS - BA 846
[Planned Flight Info]
LHR-WAW 08:15/Wed - 11:40/Wed 02:25
[Flight Notes]
KRK DIV WAW KRK
KRK AA 1303 AIRCRAFT LANDED
KRK AA 1311 ARRIVED
KRK EA 1310 ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL
LHR-WAW MEMBER OF ONEWORLD
LHR-WAW DEPARTS TERMINAL 5
LHR-WAW ARRIVES TERMINAL I
LHR-WAW 9/ NON-SMOKING
LHR-WAW ET/ ELECTRONIC TKT CANDIDATE
LHR-WAW BA CLUB EUROPE JCD FARES NOW FULLY FLEX
[Operational Info]
LHR 08:30 ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE
LHR 08:34 LEFT THE GATE
LHR 08:52 TOOK OFF
LHR - DELAY OPERATIONAL REASON
WAW 12:50 ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL
Feb 18, 2010, 4:45 am
#6
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Yeah, I'm sure BA not thrilled about situation, and both of you probably right, but I wonder if the uncertainty of a crew hanging around waiting to take us to WAW was economically less desirable than getting them out of KRK and back in service, poor pax be damned. And, if no slot available at WAW, they could have bussed us from somewhere out on the tarmac, like they did in KRK. Or landed at the other airport (maybe no customs there?) Huge hassle, less so for me than some others whose time was critical. Arriving 8 hours and 20 minutes late after 6 hours in toilet-less bus not fun. What made me question the whole thing were the inaccuracies in the news story--coulda been the reporter, I know.
In terms of cabin crew, by the time thez returned from Poland, they would not be doing another duty anyway, so the commercial side of in that sense bares no influence on the decision. Flight crew maybe different.
Feb 18, 2010, 5:41 am
#7
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Also, I should add that I'm afraid aviation-related news reports are almost never very accurate.
Feb 18, 2010, 5:45 am
#8
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