question about delay due to "flight crew availability"
Jul 1, 2014 | 9:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
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question about delay due to "flight crew availability"
Quick question, everyone. I am in Amsterdam with friends. Tomorrow they are scheduled to fly UA 908 AMS to ORD using my award miles. The flight is scheduled for 10:55am, but today I received an email informing me that the flight is now scheduled for departure at 12:18pm due to "flight crew availability".
I have to drive them to the airport and it would be far more convenient for me to not leave the hotel until 9am (30 minute drive to the airport). Is it safe to assume that the plane really won't go until then? Or do we need to treat it as if the plane could go at 10:55 and if they just have to sit the extra 1.5 hours that's how it is?
I have to drive them to the airport and it would be far more convenient for me to not leave the hotel until 9am (30 minute drive to the airport). Is it safe to assume that the plane really won't go until then? Or do we need to treat it as if the plane could go at 10:55 and if they just have to sit the extra 1.5 hours that's how it is?
Jul 1, 2014 | 9:50 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: WA, US
Programs: lots of little things
Posts: 705
I'm pretty certain that the 12:18PM ETD is based on exactly X number of hours from when the crew began their required rest period. I don't think it'll be possible for them to begin their next duty period any earlier than what's posted.
That being said, I guess it's possible to swap in a new crew, but that would've likely been identified as a possibility earlier on by crew scheduling.
That being said, I guess it's possible to swap in a new crew, but that would've likely been identified as a possibility earlier on by crew scheduling.
Jul 1, 2014 | 9:54 am
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Diego
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Quick question, everyone. I am in Amsterdam with friends. Tomorrow they are scheduled to fly UA 908 AMS to ORD using my award miles. The flight is scheduled for 10:55am, but today I received an email informing me that the flight is now scheduled for departure at 12:18pm due to "flight crew availability".
I have to drive them to the airport and it would be far more convenient for me to not leave the hotel until 9am (30 minute drive to the airport). Is it safe to assume that the plane really won't go until then? Or do we need to treat it as if the plane could go at 10:55 and if they just have to sit the extra 1.5 hours that's how it is?
I have to drive them to the airport and it would be far more convenient for me to not leave the hotel until 9am (30 minute drive to the airport). Is it safe to assume that the plane really won't go until then? Or do we need to treat it as if the plane could go at 10:55 and if they just have to sit the extra 1.5 hours that's how it is?
Crew scheduling rules are just as strict as aircraft maintenance rules to the FAA. This particularly true after the Continental Express Q400 crashed in Buffalo which was attributed in part to crew fatigue.
Jul 1, 2014 | 9:54 am
#4
Original Poster
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I'm pretty certain that the 12:18PM ETD is based on exactly X number of hours from when the crew began their required rest period. I don't think it'll be possible for them to begin their next duty period any earlier than what's posted.
That being said, I guess it's possible to swap in a new crew, but that would've likely been identified as a possibility earlier on by crew scheduling.
That being said, I guess it's possible to swap in a new crew, but that would've likely been identified as a possibility earlier on by crew scheduling.
Jul 1, 2014 | 9:58 am
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Diego
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My guess is that it is a pilot that is the problem as the F/As are usually staffed above minimum on international flights and one less F/A than expected would not delay the flight.
Jul 1, 2014 | 10:00 am
#7
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Jul 1, 2014 | 10:27 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Jul 1, 2014 | 10:42 am
#9
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I have not flown AMS to USA, so I am not aware of actual airport processing time on Wednesdays. Just to note that UA advises to allow 3 hours, if that information is helpful.
Jul 1, 2014 | 10:43 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Even though the flight may be delayed, that does not equate to check-in being delayed. IIRC, check-in at AMS is done by contract staff and they very well could close the desks an hour prior to the scheduled departure time (and likely move on to their next assignment). If your friend needs to check a bag or is not able to check-in (and print a boarding pass) on-line then you should make sure they are at the airport with sufficient time to make the check-in cut off. The last UA departure is the ORD at 10:55 so, conceivably, the check-in desks could close around 10am.
Last edited by kenn0223; Jul 1, 2014 at 10:53 am
Jul 1, 2014 | 12:34 pm
#11
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Even though the flight may be delayed, that does not equate to check-in being delayed. IIRC, check-in at AMS is done by contract staff and they very well could close the desks an hour prior to the scheduled departure time (and likely move on to their next assignment). If your friend needs to check a bag or is not able to check-in (and print a boarding pass) on-line then you should make sure they are at the airport with sufficient time to make the check-in cut off. The last UA departure is the ORD at 10:55 so, conceivably, the check-in desks could close around 10am.
Jul 1, 2014 | 2:31 pm
#12
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Even though the flight may be delayed, that does not equate to check-in being delayed. IIRC, check-in at AMS is done by contract staff and they very well could close the desks an hour prior to the scheduled departure time (and likely move on to their next assignment). If your friend needs to check a bag or is not able to check-in (and print a boarding pass) on-line then you should make sure they are at the airport with sufficient time to make the check-in cut off. The last UA departure is the ORD at 10:55 so, conceivably, the check-in desks could close around 10am.