Why can't they go back to the terminal?
2007-03-17 13:28:53 · 8 answers · asked by Gardenfoot 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
It's true, listen to the pilots on here, as frustrating as it is the decision is not in their hands, coming from me I'm a flight attendant and have to deal first hand with the passengers and I see their frustration, but it's something that is out of our hands.
=)
2007-03-17 19:03:42 · answer #1 · answered by flightpillow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some cases there might not be a gate to go back to. Usually as soon as the aircraft leaves the gate there's another coming into the same one. Especially if some are being held at the gate. There's simply no where to go. Also, if your stuck out on a taxiway with aircraft in front of you and behind you ATC is not going to move everybody out of the way. You have to wait until you get to an intersection, assuming you have a gate to go to.
ATC does not have the final say on what an aircraft is going to do. If the crew wants to do something different than instructed by ATC, the crew is only required to let ATC know that they need something different, they will then get a clearance for something else. The captain is in constant communication with his company dispatcher to determine what is going to happen. In real life the captain has full authority over what takes place on his flight but, it's the company that dictates whether the flight comes back to the gate or waits it out, unless the captain deems that the flight cannot be performed safely and within FAR's (fuel) He has the final say. He better have good reason to cancel or there will be hell to pay. It all comes down to what's going to be profitable.
Either way it sucks for everyone on the airplane....Especially the crew.
2007-03-17 19:03:42 · answer #2 · answered by JDZA 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who said it was the airlines? Its the tower that controls them. They cant do anything without authorization from the tower.
I dont think you realize how much delays mess things up.
Every aircraft files a flight plan with the local flight service station, which has to then put that into the computer and plan to get the aircraft from point a to b using navigational aids and such.
You cant just take off when the weather is good, you have to work with ATC. Its all timed, and if you miss your window, you have no choice but to wait.
They have to plan all the flights around each other, they cant just let them randomly fly some route. They follow navigation aids, like VOR or NDB radio beacons, and there are only so many options.
ATC must space each aircraft to avoid collision and severe wake turbulence.
Also, If an aircraft is delayed, it has to get up to date weather data, and file a flight plan, which is not always possible, since the Flight Service Station may be incredibly busy.
I cant tell you how many times the FSS has been so busy that they've sent me over to some other random FSS.
So if it gets a flight plan, if it cant take off on time, it has to wait again and file another, otherwise, all the spacing and timing would be off.
2007-03-17 14:05:17 · answer #3 · answered by Doggzilla 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sometimes the passengers just can't exit the planes. Or the FAA does not allow them to do so.
2007-03-18 05:25:12 · answer #4 · answered by Leon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the alternative is to scrub the flight and give everybody's money back. So just hang in there...I'm sure we'll be going in the next 20 minutes...or so...
2007-03-17 15:36:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
yea ATC makes the pilot stay where ever due to the safety of the passengers because you never know if the taxi ways are ice free and if their not Ur screwed!!
2007-03-17 14:47:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
so you can get a far away distance.
2007-03-17 14:10:42 · answer #7 · answered by Concorde 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BECAUSE THEY CAN,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,THEY HAVE ABSOLUTE POWER..................................
2007-03-17 13:36:46 · answer #8 · answered by adhimsa346 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋