sorrygottarunway
Well-Known Member
In my new position at an airport where ground stops and delays are part of the daily routine, I am curious about the different types of delays that are put on my flights. Everytime I seem to ask ATC "does that mean we will actually be departing at that time, is this a for-sure time?" I always receive quizzical responses paired with the standard aviation adage "well nothing is for sure!"
One thing that is always on my mind is when to board- should I board in preparation for a departure release time only to find that we'll be waiting for another hour? If I wait to board up and we get unexpectedly released, now I am at the disadvantage that I'll miss the release time.
So here's what I've come up with so far:
Ground Stops: Usually paired with an "update time." Could be cancelled or extended at the update time, and its pretty much a dice roll on whether you'd be leaving at the update time. The other day, our update time arrived and we were then granted a wheels up time. I guess it wouldn't be wise to board during a ground stop until you hear what the new news is at the update time, but I've also been in a situation where I've held on the ramp, already boarded, making the $$ for an hour sitting there.
EDCT: Expect departure clearance time. I'm a bit fuzzy if the EDCT time one receives is a sure thing. "Expect" means be prepared, or also it might change. If I queried ATC to see if that was our wheels up, they would naturally answer no.
Wheels Up time: This seems to be when ATC wants us taking off, so I usually board in anticipation of this time. Haven't been disappointed yet!
Anybody have any other experience with these terms?
One thing that is always on my mind is when to board- should I board in preparation for a departure release time only to find that we'll be waiting for another hour? If I wait to board up and we get unexpectedly released, now I am at the disadvantage that I'll miss the release time.
So here's what I've come up with so far:
Ground Stops: Usually paired with an "update time." Could be cancelled or extended at the update time, and its pretty much a dice roll on whether you'd be leaving at the update time. The other day, our update time arrived and we were then granted a wheels up time. I guess it wouldn't be wise to board during a ground stop until you hear what the new news is at the update time, but I've also been in a situation where I've held on the ramp, already boarded, making the $$ for an hour sitting there.
EDCT: Expect departure clearance time. I'm a bit fuzzy if the EDCT time one receives is a sure thing. "Expect" means be prepared, or also it might change. If I queried ATC to see if that was our wheels up, they would naturally answer no.
Wheels Up time: This seems to be when ATC wants us taking off, so I usually board in anticipation of this time. Haven't been disappointed yet!
Anybody have any other experience with these terms?