One of the hot button issues in travel these days is what is often referred to as a “Tarmac Delay”.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Of course, Tarmac is a specific type of asphalt, and just about every airport uses a reinforced concrete surface.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Just by pointing out this detail, I am letting you know that I am putting on my pilot’s hat in looking at this problem.<\/p>\n
This Pilot’s Perspective<\/strong><\/p>\n As a pilot we are trained to handle all manner of unlikely contingencies.\u00a0\u00a0 In fact, all airlines have an operating handbook that pilots must have on hand during commercial operations.\u00a0 These handbooks specify in minute detail the proper procedure for eventualities so obscure and unlikely, that any given pilot has only a minute chance of encountering them in their entire career.\u00a0\u00a0 What struck me most about all of the notable “tarmac strandings” in the last decade or so was that recounts of the event clearly indicated that no one had any kind of procedure for dealing with it.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Basically, the pilot’s complained to the airport and their company, and both replied to the effect of: there is nothing we can do at this time, we are working on it.\u00a0 After the event, the airline in question would pretend to have fixed the problem, yet the entire process would repeat on the same or a different carrier the next time there was irregular operations.<\/p>\n Enter The Three Hour Rule<\/strong><\/p>\n Eventually, things got so bad that the government was forced to intervene.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A three hour rule was created by the Department of Transportation (DOT) that used a blunt instrument, heavy fines, in order to ensure that passengers were never detained on a plane for more than three hours.\u00a0\u00a0 The clock starts ticking when the doors close, but exceptions are made when the plane cannot return to the gate for safety reasons.<\/p>\n What Has Happened Since<\/strong><\/p>\n Strandings have virtually disappeared, especially the terrible ones that went on all day or all night.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On the other hand, foreign carriers, which are exempt from the rule have continued to see strandings during the recent snowstorms in the northeast.\u00a0\u00a0 Another effect has been that airlines are staying at the gate as long as possible when they cannot take off due to traffic, weather, or mechanical issues.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This solution is imperfect, as many airports are too short on gate space to permit lengthy stays.\u00a0\u00a0 Nevertheless, I have had several recent occasions where I or an acquaintance has been on an airplane that remained at the gate for some time during a delay.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is always comforting to know that you can leave the plane easily if you need to. \u00a0 There are all sorts of reasons you might do this.\u00a0 Perhaps you have already been delayed enough that you will miss your connection.\u00a0 Maybe you have booked a new ticket to your destination during your delay.\u00a0 Perhaps you will even miss the event you are to attend, making it a “trip in vain”.<\/p>\n