Technical departure/Arrival question.

[mirrodie]

Say I book a ticket, such as on UsAirways or Aa.com, and the flight details say the plane departs at 9:05 PM and arrives at 1:15 PM.

I have often wondered what those times mean. Actual takeoff times? OR time leaving and arriving at a gate? OR takeoff and touchdown? Suppose yo arrive at 1:15 as per the schedule, is the !:15 the touchdown time, gate arrival time, time that you'd be at the baggage carousel(ok, that was a bit much)?

Ever wonder?

[hiss srq]

it is scheduled wheels up time.

[T-Bird76]

There block times from when the door is closed to the time the door is opened. Taxi times are generally built in but its not flight time from wheels up to wheels down.

[AirtrafficController]

yea thered are sometimes taxi delays-taxing to the runway

[mirrodie]

There block times from when the door is closed to the time the door is opened. Taxi times are generally built in but its not flight time from wheels up to wheels down.


OK, so they are essentially gate to gate times then, right?

[PhilDernerJr]

Yes, gate to gate.

The plane is called "off blocks" not when the door is closed or when the jetway is pulled, but when the plane beigns pushback.

Also keep in mind that for most airlines, the Captain calls the block out time, so a plane that pushes at 9:06 can still be called on time at 9:00 is the Captain wants to.

[stuart schechter]

If you think about it, this is a self-explanatory question. If on average, it takes 20 minutes to taxi-out and actually roll, then a 9:00 flight would mean that you leave the gate at 8:40 and you would have to show up ath the airport at 6:30.

[T-Bird76]

If you think about it, this is a self-explanatory question. If on average, it takes 20 minutes to taxi-out and actually roll, then a 9:00 flight would mean that you leave the gate at 8:40 and you would have to show up ath the airport at 6:30.

WTF does that mean "its a self explanatory question?" Its a valid question and one that comes up many times when people are told they left on time only to sit on a taxiway for an hour or more...What does getting to the airport have to do with anything?

[USAF Pilot 07]

[quote="stuart schechter":51cb7]If you think about it, this is a self-explanatory question. If on average, it takes 20 minutes to taxi-out and actually roll, then a 9:00 flight would mean that you leave the gate at 8:40 and you would have to show up ath the airport at 6:30.

WTF does that mean "its a self explanatory question?" Its a valid question and one that comes up many times when people are told they left on time only to sit on a taxiway for an hour or more...What does getting to the airport have to do with anything?[/quote:51cb7]

You see, if the plane is scheduled to leave at 9, the catering truck will get there at 830, and the people who clean the plane just before that. Therefore, the best time to awake for your flight is 547, unless you have to shave, then you should make it 541, and leave your house by 6 to arrive at the airport at 630, unless you don't have an electronic ticket, in which case you need to arrive earlier. Obviously if you've ever flown on an airplane, you'd know this, and the original question would be self-explanatory....

[T-Bird76]

Clark what happens if you have a big dinner the night before and you know that morning trip to the bathroom is well I'll say...."extra long." Might have to wake at 5 then?

[Winglets747]

Yes, gate to gate.

The plane is called "off blocks" not when the door is closed or when the jetway is pulled, but when the plane beigns pushback.

Also keep in mind that for most airlines, the Captain calls the block out time, so a plane that pushes at 9:06 can still be called on time at 9:00 is the Captain wants to.
I thought an "on-time" departure is on time as long as the door is closed at/by the departure time. Is this not the case?


If you think about it, this is a self-explanatory question. If on average, it takes 20 minutes to taxi-out and actually roll, then a 9:00 flight would mean that you leave the gate at 8:40 and you would have to show up ath the airport at 6:30.
See previous posts. A 9:00 flight isn't wheels up time.

[PhilDernerJr]

A flight is determined to be on-time based on whoever is present making the decision to call it so. For my airline, it's the Captain's call. Other airlines might rely on someone in a ground tower.

So, whether it's doors closed or whatever, it's based on whatever the person making the decisions decides to call it.

But technically "block to block" has to pertain to when the aircraft goes "off blocks", which happens upon aircraft movement/pushback. This could be different for other airlines.

[USAF Pilot 07]

Clark what happens if you have a big dinner the night before and you know that morning trip to the bathroom is well I'll say...."extra long." Might have to wake at 5 then?

Yes... Maaayyyyyybe 504, but that could be pushing it... no pun intended... :P