CO99 EWR-HKG..always delayed???
Nov 18, 2009, 4:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York City
Programs: UA 1K, CX Dia, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Dia
Posts: 385
CO99 EWR-HKG..always delayed???
I have a tight connection of 90 minutes on this flight 1 month from now and it seems every time I look to see the on-time performance this flight is delayed. Today it is delayed 5 hours for "maintenance." I am thinking I better make alternative arrangements and assume that I will not make my connection. I would think a flight like this would be on-time more often than not. I have flown CX on this route and never had any problems, why is CO late so often?
Nov 18, 2009, 4:35 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: HKG
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 12,311
It's because they don't have too many connecting customers at HKG on this flight, and the aircraft just sit at HKG for 15 hours overnight. So, there is no big hurry to get this flight out of EWR; and if they have a irregular operation and need a spare 777-200 for another route, they will do well to delay this flight out of EWR compared to most other routes with short turnarounds.
Nov 18, 2009, 4:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYS
Programs: UA 1K MM, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 311
I was in HKG last week and noticed this trend also only because I was there twice at the gate to pick up friends who came after me. I have been flying this route since it started and have never seen this before. The few times that I was delayed was never more than 1 hour. One time there was a problem with solar flares and we went over the Pacific but we were well compensated. The only connection Ive seen is HKG-CAN and 60 minutes there is considered a legal connection.
Nov 18, 2009, 5:00 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Many 772 flights have been taking MX delays lately. It hasn't been a good month for CO's 772 operations.
Nov 18, 2009, 5:13 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Windsor, Connecticut
Programs: UA
Posts: 358
I have flown CO99 several times and have been lucky enough to have been late only once, by about 20 minutes.
Nov 18, 2009, 5:59 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
The main problem is that CO doesnt have a spare or 2 lying around like a relief pitcher on a baseball team. So since they work em hard when something goes wrong look out
Most of them land and rest an hour or so and then back to work, no real time to fine tune them
imagine what it would be like had HKG been a quick turn around
Nov 18, 2009, 6:05 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 813
Just sayin.
Nov 18, 2009, 6:22 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ACT/GRK/DAL/ABI/MIA/FLL
Programs: OMNIArchist, OMNIArchy!, OMNIIDGAS
Posts: 23,478
As another poster stated on a different thread, mechanics aren't happy with the pace and direction of contract negotiations.(2% pay raise) Not sure if they fall under the RLA, but they are smart enough to know the widebidy fleet is the backbone of CO's operation and they want to make sure everything is working 100%."By the book"
Just sayin.
Just sayin.
2% raise right now isn't bad, many companies asking for reduced pay and not giving raises.
Nov 18, 2009, 6:52 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY USA
Programs: UA Gold = nothing, UA Million Miler; Alaska MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 315
Bad Night?
Looks like other ACs are in the MX mood.
-78 to ZRH (767-200)
-80 to GVA (767-400)
Both are running an hour to two late.
-Jim
-78 to ZRH (767-200)
-80 to GVA (767-400)
Both are running an hour to two late.
-Jim
Nov 18, 2009, 7:04 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 813
Planes are getting fixed, just a lot s l o w e r than normal. A mechanic told me that after reading this site, no broken seats or inop AVOD's will occur, no broken APU's etc. If you see a plane with a missing wing, let em know. Bankers on Wall Street got bonuses while mechanics on Main street should settle for 2% raises?
Nov 18, 2009, 7:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MEXICO
Programs: CO GOLD
Posts: 187
This is anecdotal only, but when I had an ontime arrival in EWR in late July, I noticed a few hours later that the turnaround flight to HKG was announced delayed till 10 PM (or later).
Would SUCK if you booked another connecting flight outside Continental's grid.
Would SUCK if you booked another connecting flight outside Continental's grid.
Nov 18, 2009, 7:48 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: OnePass, Royal Orchid Plus, Mabuhay Miles
Posts: 376
I've been lucky to have only missed 2 connections in the many times that I've taken this flight. CO has always taken care of me just fine (airport hotel & rebooking) even though they didn't originally book the connection.
Btw, if you have a departure that is 45~60 min late you'll still have time for the connection but ask CO to have an agent at the gate to carry you through the connection. They will do it & it'll make a big difference.
Nov 18, 2009, 7:49 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Please back up such an incredible and borderline libelous claim with something more than significant rolling delays in the wide-body fleet. What makes you think that there are gaps or that corners are being cut?
Nah...it is a labor action.
Nah...it is a labor action.
Nov 18, 2009, 8:14 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 813
99 (HKG) left 6 hrs late today.
Ditto for PEK.
The beating will continue till morale improves.
Ditto for PEK.
The beating will continue till morale improves.
Nov 19, 2009, 8:10 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York City
Programs: UA 1K, CX Dia, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Dia
Posts: 385
Wow I had no idea there any problems with the mechanics, thanks for all the input. I am booked on a connecting flight with CX to MNL with only 90 minutes to spare. I think I might just cancel my CO reservation and book CX outright because if this trend continues the chances of me making my connection are slim to none.