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Original poster

Air Traffic Control Airport Misery

157 replies

LongDarkTeatime · 28/08/2023 23:51

Is anyone else sitting at home after having their holiday cancelled today?
We haven’t had a ‘proper’ holiday in 6 years and we’re so looking forward to going away. Waited all day at the airport just to be cancelled just after the plane that was supposed to take us landed. So disappointed.
Well done to everyone who managed today with young kids. All the families around us coped so well.

OP posts:
Ozgirl75 · 29/08/2023 14:09

Oh and their website has also crashed.
What an absolute crappy airline BA is now. I wouldn’t even mind the delay if there was even one staff member here to confirm that this flight will definitely go today. Given that there are about 10 flights per day from here it’s fairly crappy that they don’t employ one staff member.

forgotmyusername1 · 29/08/2023 14:54

my sister was sat on a plane for 10 hours before they took off. She did manage to get home yesterday

Ozgirl75 · 29/08/2023 15:06

forgotmyusername1 · 29/08/2023 14:54

my sister was sat on a plane for 10 hours before they took off. She did manage to get home yesterday

Feel like I can’t complain when I hear that! At least I have food, can walk around and actually only have a short flight once I get going.

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Flying Holidays
Original poster
LongDarkTeatime · 29/08/2023 15:20

@forgotmyusername1 omg your poor sister. Did she have kids with her?

OP posts:
Ozgirl75 · 29/08/2023 15:42

One thing I wondered, does anyone know - why would a flight just keep getting more and more delayed? Like, how do they not know when it’s going? Don’t they have a slot that is confirmed?
Our flight is meant to leave at 3. WAs delayed earlier to 4.40, then to 5.00 then to 5.50, 6.10 and now 6.18. Does anyone in the know understand what’s likely to happen with this flight? There are multiple other flights to the same location with the same carrier, all have left somewhat delayed but only one worse than ours.
We’re now due to leave after the flight after ours, which is scheduled for 5.00 and is only delayed until 5.20. So why can’t they just swap slots?!

forgotmyusername1 · 29/08/2023 15:47

LongDarkTeatime · 29/08/2023 15:20

@forgotmyusername1 omg your poor sister. Did she have kids with her?

No just her on her own.
They weren't allowed off the plane, no air con, no food and drink vouchers and couldn't charge her mobile phone.
She should have left at 2 and finally left just after midnight.
She had to be at work today so she was just greatful she got back at all

Original poster
LongDarkTeatime · 29/08/2023 16:02

Ozgirl75 · 29/08/2023 15:42

One thing I wondered, does anyone know - why would a flight just keep getting more and more delayed? Like, how do they not know when it’s going? Don’t they have a slot that is confirmed?
Our flight is meant to leave at 3. WAs delayed earlier to 4.40, then to 5.00 then to 5.50, 6.10 and now 6.18. Does anyone in the know understand what’s likely to happen with this flight? There are multiple other flights to the same location with the same carrier, all have left somewhat delayed but only one worse than ours.
We’re now due to leave after the flight after ours, which is scheduled for 5.00 and is only delayed until 5.20. So why can’t they just swap slots?!

A friend who is air crew explained to us it depends on multiple things.
1, are there alternative take off and landing slots available (problem is usually a busy UK end for beach holidays)
2, Will a plane be in the right place for you to take you
3, Will there be crew available to staff the plane. Crew and pilots have a certain number of hours they can safely work. Quite a few do multiple flights a day. If a delay means they don’t have enough hours left to complete a flight they can’t go. Airlines can call ‘stand by’ crew in (paid to be available if they are needed).

I was annoyed yesterday as it was clear when we were re-scheduled for the 2nd or 3rd time the airline would have known if crew were available (plane was on its way back). Even air crew friend said yes we’ll def be going now. Then it was cancelled just as we were due to board. Someone messed up.

OP posts:
LIZS · 29/08/2023 16:09

@Ozgirl75 is your plane even there yet? Often turn around times are tight but it won't necessarily be working just the Heathrow/Edi route but come on from elsewhere. That incoming flight may also be subject to delay from issues getting a slot while accommodating the backlog. LNER were offering free train journeys but not sure whether to all affected by the chaos or just those landing at Edi et al instead of destinations like Manchester or Birmingham. Fingers crossed you get on board soon. Might it be worth going to the gate of the next(potentially earlier) BA flight and seeing if they can transfer you?

Ozgirl75 · 29/08/2023 16:09

My fear is that it’s cancelled just as we’re boarding! Then we’ll have spent 6 hours waiting for the flight and have to find somewhere to stay at 7pm with two kids.

Ozgirl75 · 29/08/2023 16:10

LIZS · 29/08/2023 16:09

@Ozgirl75 is your plane even there yet? Often turn around times are tight but it won't necessarily be working just the Heathrow/Edi route but come on from elsewhere. That incoming flight may also be subject to delay from issues getting a slot while accommodating the backlog. LNER were offering free train journeys but not sure whether to all affected by the chaos or just those landing at Edi et al instead of destinations like Manchester or Birmingham. Fingers crossed you get on board soon. Might it be worth going to the gate of the next(potentially earlier) BA flight and seeing if they can transfer you?

Yes I was wondering about that but presumably that flight would be full too?

LIZS · 29/08/2023 16:13

It might be, but there may be connecting passengers who don't show or whose plans changed.

PatChaunceysFruitCake · 29/08/2023 16:22

Did you make it @Was126orbustandmaybebust? Hope your Dad is ok Flowers

crumblylancs · 29/08/2023 16:26

We're currently at the airport with a 6hr delay- can cope with it as long as the flight actually goes!

I've very quickly realised that it's not the delays and cancellations which people can't accept, it's the piss poor communication! Jet2 staff on the ground aren't being updated by the decision makers here which is shit for them and passengers.

Original poster
LongDarkTeatime · 29/08/2023 16:27

@Was126orbustandmaybebust did you get there in time. Feeling for you and your family

OP posts:
Original poster
LongDarkTeatime · 29/08/2023 16:29

@crumblylancs well put! Completely agree. Everyone can understand the situation, it’s the lack of or poor communication which is really frustrating.

OP posts:
WasserUndBrot · 29/08/2023 16:29

Due to fly home tomorrow with 2 children, one of whom is autistic so I’m hoping we don’t have any delays. Airline are aware he’s autistic but that won’t be much help I suspect. Flying into a regional airport so I think that’s in our favour!

MermaidEyes · 29/08/2023 16:38

Oh that's crap OP 😒 I know a couple of people who flew yesterday and sat on the tarmac for hours before they finally took off. Have the issues been resolved now for those flying in the next few days?

Original poster
LongDarkTeatime · 29/08/2023 16:47

MermaidEyes · 29/08/2023 16:38

Oh that's crap OP 😒 I know a couple of people who flew yesterday and sat on the tarmac for hours before they finally took off. Have the issues been resolved now for those flying in the next few days?

I know of people who were cancelled today. No idea about rest of week as most people I know have to be back for start of school term.

OP posts:
huggiess · 29/08/2023 16:47

MermaidEyes · 29/08/2023 16:38

Oh that's crap OP 😒 I know a couple of people who flew yesterday and sat on the tarmac for hours before they finally took off. Have the issues been resolved now for those flying in the next few days?

I bloody hope so !

Ozgirl75 · 29/08/2023 16:47

OMG @LIZS i went and asked at the gate for the flight that was meant to be after ours but is actually 2 hours earlier and they’ve squeezed us on! Can’t believe it! Thanks so much for the suggestion, I’ll now be home before our “real” flight even leaves.
THANK YOU!

Original poster
LongDarkTeatime · 29/08/2023 16:48

@WasserUndBrot good luck and I hope you get back as planned.

OP posts:
notimagain · 29/08/2023 17:00

If a delay means they don’t have enough hours left to complete a flight they can’t go. Airlines can call ‘stand by’ crew in (paid to be available if they are needed).

For info yes, most airlines do indeed have some form of crew standby but it's often quite a small/a very small number and in a situation like yesterday they'll get used up very early in the disruption.

JuicyFroot · 29/08/2023 17:01

<Reporting live from Athens Airport!>

Flight delayed by 40 minutes.
Reading this thread has made me so grateful we are on board, and plane is due to take off any minute.

I hope everyone who is looking to go on holidays in the next few days, or trying to get home do so without too much disruption.

LIZS · 29/08/2023 17:04

Ozgirl75 · 29/08/2023 16:47

OMG @LIZS i went and asked at the gate for the flight that was meant to be after ours but is actually 2 hours earlier and they’ve squeezed us on! Can’t believe it! Thanks so much for the suggestion, I’ll now be home before our “real” flight even leaves.
THANK YOU!

Excellent news! Hope you have a good trip home.

Ozgirl75 · 29/08/2023 17:06

Thank you!