That 10 million Heathrow spent on snow stuff other year is working well isnt it?

[Southern Toon]

Japanese news channel NHK reported last Monday that 850 flights in Japan had been cancelled due to snow, so don't believe all the media bullshit that it only happens in the UK.
3,400 people spend night at Tokyo airport after snowfall causes flight cancellations | Fox News

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

BA can't be blamed for airport logistics.

They can and they have been. Grounding all your planes has an effect on Heathrow airport logistics as well as other airports where their planes are blocking gates. Frankfurt airport was royally pissed off with them last year.

 

[Weststander]

How many billions to invent and implement freezing fog clearing equipment.

Not worth it. Angry flyers need ti chillax.

 

[Weststander]

Nonsense. You only have to go to Gatwick to see how an airport can be run properly. The contrast between now and when Gatwick was run by BAA is stark. Heathrow can be run much better as many business leaders and the government agree.

In fact:

Gatwick got slagged massively by the media and flyers in the snowy winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

How many billions to invent and implement freezing fog clearing equipment.

Not worth it. Angry flyers need ti chillax.

With so many BAA apologists in the UK it is no wonder they do not feel the need to up their game. Why do you expect such pitiful standards?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

In fact:

Gatwick got slagged massively by the media and flyers in the snowy winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11.

MPs hear praise for Gatwick snow plans From The Argus)

Gatwick wins battle of the snowploughs - FT.com

And I speak from personal experience as well. Most people I know rate Gatwick much higher now BAA have gone.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Could have been predicted though. Whole country seems to stop which I find astounding

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Delays this weekend are nothing to do with de-icing equipment though, it's because of poor visibility caused by the snow, which means LHR has to increase the gap between aircraft using the runways. They either cancel a bunch of flights in advance to accommodate this need or end up with scheduled arrivals & departures getting later & later, which would have people complaining anyway. I'm not sure what they're expected to do, to be honest. It can't actually be a surprise to people travelling that there are delays, just as there are on the roads and trains?

LGW is less affected by this because it's not operating at 99% of capacity or whatever it is that LHR operates at.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

it's because of poor visibility caused by the snow

How much visibility do they need? Surely they just point planes in the rough direction and send them on their way? It's not as though the pilot needs to see his destination to take off.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

How much visibility do they need? Surely they just point planes in the rough direction and send them on their way? It's not as though the pilot needs to see his destination to take off.

I can't claim to be an expert but would assume there is some scientific/ technical explanation, for safety reasons.

They probably err on the side of caution but imagine the scenario if they didn't do it and something went wrong.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I can't claim to be an expert but would assume there is some scientific/ technical explanation, for safety reasons.

I'm pretty certain it will be health and safety. It always is.

 

[16bha]

How much visibility do they need? Surely they just point planes in the rough direction and send them on their way? It's not as though the pilot needs to see his destination to take off.

Seems to be a very anti BAA bias here.The CAA provides the parameters on take off and landing visibility limits, not the Airport Operator. I work at one of their airports, and have to say that considerable amounts have been invested in snow clearing equipment, and planning and preparation for events like this. On Friday, we had an almost 100% staff turnout, with many coming in very early to avoid the snow on roads and help either airside or in the terminal with passengers. We worked closely with the airlines, NATS and ground handling agents to minimise disruption.

in summary, a shed load of work and commitment goes in by all staff with the support and investment of our owners, and I want to make sure a balanced view is presented here.

 

[goldstone]

Delays this weekend are nothing to do with de-icing equipment though, it's because of poor visibility caused by the snow, which means LHR has to increase the gap between aircraft using the runways. They either cancel a bunch of flights in advance to accommodate this need or end up with scheduled arrivals & departures getting later & later, which would have people complaining anyway. I'm not sure what they're expected to do, to be honest. It can't actually be a surprise to people travelling that there are delays, just as there are on the roads and trains?

LGW is less affected by this because it's not operating at 99% of capacity or whatever it is that LHR operates at.

The words of a knowledgeable poster.

The "bunch of flights" they cancel are always the short-haul ones (it's easier to do that than to cancel flights coming from or going to the other side of the world).

So the message is, never plan a journey that involves changing planes at Heathrow. Take your long-haul flight first (if possible), with your connection at the end of your journey. For example if you're travelling from Manchester to Sri Lanka, much better to fly on Qatar Airways, Emirates, or Etihad direct from Manchester to their Gulf hub and then take a connecting flight to Colombo.

 

[Lethargic]

They can and they have been. Grounding all your planes has an effect on Heathrow airport logistics as well as other airports where their planes are blocking gates. Frankfurt airport was royally pissed off with them last year.

Frankfurt are not perfect I was delayed there several times 2 winters ago when they had snow they had plenty of delays and cancellations themselves. It maybe one of the few things we are still world class at, but we are far from alone in flight cock ups due to weather.

 

[beorhthelm]

I'm pretty certain it will be health and safety. It always is.

yeah, who needs health and safety on runways? isnt it less than a minute between planes landing and taking off: do you want to still be taxi-ing off the runway as the next is landing or starting to take off as the plane in front hasnt left the ground?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

yeah, who needs health and safety on runways? isnt it less than a minute between planes landing and taking off: do you want to still be taxi-ing off the runway as the next is landing or starting to take off as the plane in front hasnt left the ground?

When an authority such as the CAA or NATS mentions health and safety you can take it to be sincere. When a public listed company mentions it I generally presume its a spun business decision.

 

[The Spanish]

the problem is partially down to capacity. there isnt time between flights at peak times to clear the runway. refering to the likes of Stockholm or others is irrelevent as they firstly have an army of snow clearance vehicles to simply operate in the first place for months of the year and secondly have a fraction of the traffic. then theres the fact that other airports are affected, which the cause of some of the cancellations in the first place.

dont let the facts get in the way of a "Daily Mail" (as some tedious unimaginative pseuds on here might call it) style moan up - bloody hell this country etc etc

Saturday Qantas shelved Frankfurt flight ex Singapore and bundled as many people as possible onto LHR flight. f***ing poorly prepared inefficient Germans.

 

[The Spanish]

The words of a knowledgeable poster.

The "bunch of flights" they cancel are always the short-haul ones (it's easier to do that than to cancel flights coming from or going to the other side of the world).

So the message is, never plan a journey that involves changing planes at Heathrow. Take your long-haul flight first (if possible), with your connection at the end of your journey. For example if you're travelling from Manchester to Sri Lanka, much better to fly on Qatar Airways, Emirates, or Etihad direct from Manchester to their Gulf hub and then take a connecting flight to Colombo.

or alternatively give your money to a British business.

 

[Springal]

How are the Germans getting on with that new airport in Berlin by the way

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

How are the Germans getting on with that new airport in Berlin by the way

It's a little late but the airport slap bang next door is open for business after snow last night.