Luton shambolic yesterday
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Luton and others shambolic yesterday and today
Managed to get in, but after a 7hr flight quite pleased to land.
Question: How much snow does it take to close an airport: Answer: not a lot.
Spoke to Biggin en route to ABBOT, they were ops normal, and willing to take us, on a fully swept runway, clear taxi way, plus apron space.
If asked might even had hangerage.
Thank you Biggin Hill.
glf
Question: How much snow does it take to close an airport: Answer: not a lot.
Spoke to Biggin en route to ABBOT, they were ops normal, and willing to take us, on a fully swept runway, clear taxi way, plus apron space.
If asked might even had hangerage.
Thank you Biggin Hill.
glf
Last edited by Gulfstreamaviator; 21st Dec 2009 at 12:45.
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I manage to get in Luton yesterday after they ban bizjet in. The only reason for the ban was the airport did not clean the ramp for non commercial aircraft.
Should the handling companies be equipped to clear their own ramp or the airport is liable for it?
I had no problem landing anywhere else that same day, only Luton was a problem, and it was not related to the runway or the traffic, just the ramp.
Should the handling companies be equipped to clear their own ramp or the airport is liable for it?
I had no problem landing anywhere else that same day, only Luton was a problem, and it was not related to the runway or the traffic, just the ramp.
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handlers need clearance kit
A pair of bob cats, with the right fittings on front end is all that is needed.
The airport was closed over the night, and I suspect will be again tonight.
Hope I can get out tomorrow.
glf
The airport was closed over the night, and I suspect will be again tonight.
Hope I can get out tomorrow.
glf
Yes, yesterday certainly wasn't their finest hour. Not helped by the airport being unwilling to clear a strip to get from 58 onto the taxyway, then ATC refusing to allow us to taxy over it! Probably Elf & Safety regulations......
Honestly, they really need to take a look at some european operations...I know they are geared up only for commercial airlines, but what the hell do they think bizjets taxy on in Samedan, Moscow and the like?
Then the tankers were unwilling to drive over the snow.........
I arrived at 0615, and finally departed at 1420!
And all this on a beautiful CAVOK day, blue skies and probably 50 mile vis!!!
Honestly, they really need to take a look at some european operations...I know they are geared up only for commercial airlines, but what the hell do they think bizjets taxy on in Samedan, Moscow and the like?
Then the tankers were unwilling to drive over the snow.........
I arrived at 0615, and finally departed at 1420!
And all this on a beautiful CAVOK day, blue skies and probably 50 mile vis!!!
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I could be totally wrong, but if Luton operates on a public use licence, should they not have to accept all traffic "on equal terms & conditions" even if it means putting exec jets on airline stands ?
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hi
Had to fly as A PAx yesterday for a Course in UK...so we sit in the BA Airbus in EDDS ,suddenly Captain told us well 4 1/2 hours delay due to snow ....
Arriving in LHR ,well ,thats a joke ,not even 0,5 cm snow ,all Streets M! etc clear ,but Airport dsuffered severe delays.
Managed it to come on time ,after course back to LHR ,to get told Flight to EDDS delayed by 5 hrs.
Aft 5 hrs flight cancelled ,Big Chaos ,Thousands of Passengers not informed what hapening ,Screaming at customer relations,uninformed Desk managers.
Was told at 1 30 in the morning they will try to get me on Zürich aircraft tomorrow ,got Hotel 1 Star Indian lodge about 25 minutes from Airport ,got ripped off by Cab driver and had for dinner 2 Guiness.
Arrived in the morning after 3 hours "Curry -dreams " at LHR to be told to wait in Area D and E of T 5...if i would have been calm and waited i would never had known that i was confirmed for a flight to Zürich ....
Arriing in Zürich ..flight to EDDS cancelled..so Rental car (Expensive) ...
Hopefully will get all reimbursed ...its a shame what BA dif yesterday ....
Lot to do ,honestly ......
it´s THE Fischmeister!!!!
Arriving in LHR ,well ,thats a joke ,not even 0,5 cm snow ,all Streets M! etc clear ,but Airport dsuffered severe delays.
Managed it to come on time ,after course back to LHR ,to get told Flight to EDDS delayed by 5 hrs.
Aft 5 hrs flight cancelled ,Big Chaos ,Thousands of Passengers not informed what hapening ,Screaming at customer relations,uninformed Desk managers.
Was told at 1 30 in the morning they will try to get me on Zürich aircraft tomorrow ,got Hotel 1 Star Indian lodge about 25 minutes from Airport ,got ripped off by Cab driver and had for dinner 2 Guiness.
Arrived in the morning after 3 hours "Curry -dreams " at LHR to be told to wait in Area D and E of T 5...if i would have been calm and waited i would never had known that i was confirmed for a flight to Zürich ....
Arriing in Zürich ..flight to EDDS cancelled..so Rental car (Expensive) ...
Hopefully will get all reimbursed ...its a shame what BA dif yesterday ....
Lot to do ,honestly ......
it´s THE Fischmeister!!!!
Last edited by Der_Fischmeister; 20th Dec 2009 at 19:08.
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You should see in France...
The DGAC actually asked the companies to cancel 40% of their flights from Roissy CDG till Sun. 15.00.
Le Figaro - Flash actu : 40% de vols annulés à Roissy demain
Because of ' snow, ice, x-wind and quite low temperatures.'
I can't believe it, having such incapable people! I flew 2 years in Canada, in Winnipeg actually...And a bit of snow, or -3 were NEVER such a problem!
What about Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, etc....
ps: plus, who could have predicted some snow in December, doh
The DGAC actually asked the companies to cancel 40% of their flights from Roissy CDG till Sun. 15.00.
Le Figaro - Flash actu : 40% de vols annulés à Roissy demain
Because of ' snow, ice, x-wind and quite low temperatures.'
I can't believe it, having such incapable people! I flew 2 years in Canada, in Winnipeg actually...And a bit of snow, or -3 were NEVER such a problem!
What about Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, etc....
ps: plus, who could have predicted some snow in December, doh
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wrong sort of snow
On the wrong sort of taxiway, at the wrong time of the year.....
But at the end of the day...it all boils down to money.
No mince pies at Signature Luton.....now that is discusting...I shall complain.
glf
But at the end of the day...it all boils down to money.
No mince pies at Signature Luton.....now that is discusting...I shall complain.
glf
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Managed to get stuck in LeBourget for 2 days. No de-ice fluid for the whole weekend!! Just 2 trucks for the whole airport and when they're empty they need to warmup for 7(!) hours. 
Talking about being unprepaired!
Talking about being unprepaired!
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No mince pies...a hanging offence!!!!!!!!!
Before you award Biggin on the Bump with any award, consider my experience on the 20th December...here goes...
We were all expecting snow - I spoke with people at Biggin on Saturday who assured me that they were ready to deal with it and that operations shouldn't be affected. To be completely fair to Biggin, they had a man ploughing from 0100 onwards on Sunday morning to keep up with the snow...excellent thinks I, and loads up his passengers ready for the word from the Tower that they were open and then we were ready to go...Winter hols...yippeeeeeee!!
NO...the man said it was ploughed but the anti icing hadn't worked and it was 90% ice...they were hoping that the sun (-3c by the way) would work its magic, and standby. Stood/Sat/Lounged by and nothing positive occuring. Biggin operates an anti icing policy...this is supposed to stop the ice from forming as opposed to de-icing any accumulated ice.
Embarrasing to say the very least. Braking action reported as poor - although this seems to be done by ATC/Fire people testing the brakes of their vehicles.
At std + 4 hours, ground ops manager arrives on his day off (no - he's not related to me!!!), and has another go with the anti-ice which finally (helped by the sun) begins to work. He uses his knowledge of braking action (and the input of some Bizjet pilots) to declare it a go, go, GO!! (sorry Murray Walker...). Big 'thank you' to Barry for all his efforts.
STD + 5.5 hours...airborne.
I know that NetJets had to cancel a G550 that was going to Dubai from Biggin (don't suppose they were impressed) and I almost had to charter from Farnborough (they were operating ok) to get my passengers away.
I know Biggin is higher than Farnborough, but not having any form of de-icing seems to be much, much worse than no mince pies.
Poor, poor, poor - that was the scoring of the panel on the performance of Biggin Hill Airport...my Owner's thoughts are unprintable.
Before you award Biggin on the Bump with any award, consider my experience on the 20th December...here goes...
We were all expecting snow - I spoke with people at Biggin on Saturday who assured me that they were ready to deal with it and that operations shouldn't be affected. To be completely fair to Biggin, they had a man ploughing from 0100 onwards on Sunday morning to keep up with the snow...excellent thinks I, and loads up his passengers ready for the word from the Tower that they were open and then we were ready to go...Winter hols...yippeeeeeee!!
NO...the man said it was ploughed but the anti icing hadn't worked and it was 90% ice...they were hoping that the sun (-3c by the way) would work its magic, and standby. Stood/Sat/Lounged by and nothing positive occuring. Biggin operates an anti icing policy...this is supposed to stop the ice from forming as opposed to de-icing any accumulated ice.
Embarrasing to say the very least. Braking action reported as poor - although this seems to be done by ATC/Fire people testing the brakes of their vehicles.
At std + 4 hours, ground ops manager arrives on his day off (no - he's not related to me!!!), and has another go with the anti-ice which finally (helped by the sun) begins to work. He uses his knowledge of braking action (and the input of some Bizjet pilots) to declare it a go, go, GO!! (sorry Murray Walker...). Big 'thank you' to Barry for all his efforts.
STD + 5.5 hours...airborne.
I know that NetJets had to cancel a G550 that was going to Dubai from Biggin (don't suppose they were impressed) and I almost had to charter from Farnborough (they were operating ok) to get my passengers away.
I know Biggin is higher than Farnborough, but not having any form of de-icing seems to be much, much worse than no mince pies.
Poor, poor, poor - that was the scoring of the panel on the performance of Biggin Hill Airport...my Owner's thoughts are unprintable.
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Thank you for your understanding re mince pies.
Knowing your pax, I am surprised that they actually noticed the delay.
I would kill for a return trip to Dubai, I arrived in a short sleeve shirt, and no thermals knickers, for a 2 hour turn round.
Do Net Jets need an SNU, I will supply the brandy butter.
Happy Xmas to us all.
glf
Knowing your pax, I am surprised that they actually noticed the delay.
I would kill for a return trip to Dubai, I arrived in a short sleeve shirt, and no thermals knickers, for a 2 hour turn round.
Do Net Jets need an SNU, I will supply the brandy butter.
Happy Xmas to us all.
glf
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He uses his knowledge of braking action (and the input of some Bizjet pilots)
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The Signature guys really got their act together last night. They worked through the night to clear their stands and this morning all looked to be much more organised than was the case yesterday. Good job! They even had their GM out there with a shovel this morning!
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NO...the man said it was ploughed but the anti icing hadn't worked and it was 90% ice...they were hoping that the sun (-3c by the way) would work its magic, and standby. Stood/Sat/Lounged by and nothing positive occuring. Biggin operates an anti icing policy...this is supposed to stop the ice from forming as opposed to de-icing any accumulated ice.
Embarrasing to say the very least. Braking action reported as poor - although this seems to be done by ATC/Fire people testing the brakes of their vehicles
0 - Medium
1- medium/poor
2-poor
3-Biggin on Sunday
