Profile Descents

[NJA_Capt]

From what we've been told, the profile descents are to help you guys save fuel and whatnot.

I like the profile descents, but fuel savings are already shot, by the time most STARs begin. Arrival descents in the lower 48 are begun ridiculously early. I would welcome a reg to forbid descents prior 150nm from destination (jets). Coming down 200-500nm out is wasting millions of gallons of fuel per day.

Just put that on my wish list ......along with:
No airliners above FL400
Aircraft above FL390 must be able to maintain .86 or better
Airports limited to <10 SIDs/STARs (Sorry Texas)
No downwind vectors beyond 5nm or above 3000 MSL.
No "regional jet" flights beyond 2.0 hrs.
Turn the SLOW guy off route, not the overtaking aircraft.


A fella can dream can't he?


Polar: On descend via, set the altitude alerter on the lowest alt on the arrival and engage VNAV. Enjoy the ride (I still calculate the restrictions in my head, just in case)

 

[elmetal]

No "regional jet" flights beyond 2.0 hrs.

That would be the biggest thing I think in the airline world today.

How the heck can I take a 757 for 3 hours one day but an ERJ for 3 and a half the next?

I hate that "regionals" do all the domestic heavy lifting and don't get the proper compensation for it.

That is obviously not to say the majors don't pull their weight, but I think the bureaucracy has gotten absurd. I have not met a single nonaviation enthusiast that knows that Delta Connection is not actually operated by Delta at all (and that goes for all regionals)


I'd be fine if you said: Ok well this is a short flight we're gonna have you fly [insert regional] to our hub then take one of our planes to your destination.
Masking that you are outsourcing your work allows for the regionals to stay where they are and the pay to stay where it is. It's kind of like hiding that your catfish is from Vietnam not Mississippi.