Waiting on Numbers

[mtsu_av8er]

Does it help the pilots if they know this when taxiing in? Or getting the IFR Clearance? I mean, does it help get numbers faster if they know a while in advance?

It sometimes does. In my particular airplane, we can run the ACARS numbers for 3 runways. Normally, we're able to run new numbers in less than a minute. However, I've seen it take 3 or 4 minutes (usually when you're #9, and they offer you an intersection departure RIGHT NOW!!!).

 

[surreal1221]

Not that what you are saying isn't true, but last time I rode on an ASA jet from MEM to JAN, we ended up sitting in some sort of marshall area short of the parallels next to 2 other ASA jets waiting for said data for over 45 minutes. FO explained that it had to do with some last minute baggage. Luckily I was several drinks in (from the layover), sleepy and really did not care

45 minutes for bags huh? Weak.

Most likely this situation was a EDCT or ground delay program for whatever reason. Who knows. Blame ATCCC.

Far better excuse than "bags."

Unless of course, as has certainly happened, our 1980's computer system failed again. Then maybe ACARS couldn't communicate, aaaaaaaaaaaah - nevermind. cime_sp already broke it down.

 

[WalterSobchak]

Frequently I hear pilots calling for taxi tell me that they are still "waiting on numbers". What does that mean? I have a general idea, but I'd like to know the full story. Thanks!

When you are taxiing behind Pinnacle and they are going so slow you want to ram them they are waiting for the numbers. Then they suddenly speed up it means they got the numbers. I have no idea how things are run in ops over there but in MEM it makes me cringe if I have to be behind 9E taxiing out last leg of the day.

With out the sarcasm its performance data they are waiting for.

 

[SoonerATC]

When you are taxiing behind Pinnacle and they are going so slow you want to ram them they are waiting for the numbers. Then they suddenly speed up it means they got the numbers. I have no idea how things are run in ops over there but in MEM it makes me cringe if I have to be behind 9E taxiing out last leg of the day.

With out the sarcasm its performance data they are waiting for.

Haha...they happen to be the main culprit behind my question.

BTW, blaming ATC for delays may deflect passengers' heat off the cockpit, but everyone who knows anything about this business knows it's the airlines themselves who cause the delays by scheduling too many flights into too few slots at the major airports.

 

[tykrtr]

Pinchanickel used to have to have a dispatcher enter the data and send it via ACARS. After a shortage of dispatchers, they supposedly got a system online that did most of them automatically. We flat out wouldn't let them off the gate (not that we could really stop it) until they told us they had their numbers. It is much better now with their 'automated' system. Only once in a while has there been a problem lately.

 

[tykrtr]

And, of course, as soon as I say that we haven't had very many problems lately, they miss 2 release times because they "don't have their numbers". Go figure.