Kudos To Cape Air From PVD To Martha's Vineyard

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With down time while working in Providence, Rhode Island, I get the opportunity to fly Cape Air to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

What an experience!

 

 

Checking in at TF (Theodore Francis) Green International Airport or better know as Providence (PVD), I am asked my weight. 200 pounds. Okay, what's a few pounds among friends.

 

The friendly gate agent also weighs my backpack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I guess weight becomes critical when you are flying on a 9 passenger, Cessna 402 airplane.

Boarding according to weight we all end up with window seats in a surprisingly comfortable cabin. With an open seat up front, one lucky passenger gets to sit next to the single pilot operating our flight. Nevertheless, I can tell most of us are just as excited by the unique experience ahead.

 

A quick safety briefing by our pilot Captain Kim and we sit back to watch her do her piloting thing.

I am impressed.

 

 

 

 

Captain Kim takes a few attempts to get the propeller driven engine started then like the Space Shuttle launch, it’s a go.

With a smile, I am taken back to romantic and glory days of flying minus the engine smoke and oil leaks.

 

 

 

 

It takes just a few minutes of taxiing around with a window open before Captain Kim has us airborne for Martha's Vineyard a 25 minute flight from Providence.

 

Initially the ride is a little bumpy as Captain Kim moves levers and pushes buttons.

Feeling confident we are in good hands, cameras click away as we enjoy the scenery below us.

 

 

 

 

About 20 minutes into the flight we begin a gradual descent from about 3000 feet.

A beautiful day gives us a nice view of Martha's Vineyard and more photo opportunities.

A fast ferry but slow compared to us can be seen below heading for the island.

 

 

 

Lined up for landing, with a gentle thump the Cape Air Cessna 402 returns us to Mother Earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deplaning, the passengers seated at the rear of the aircraft leave first.

My backpack is retrieved from a compartment behind the left engine and placed with others from the nose section of the airplane.

 

 

 

We are given more photo opportunities before being escorted along the tarmac to an exit gate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Martha's Vineyard!

 

Technorati Tags: Cape Air,Martha's Vineyard,Providence,Rhode Island,TF Green International Airport,Cessna 402,Providence Airport,PVD,Theodre Francis,Captain Kim,Massachusetts

Steven Slater Hero, Rude Customers Villains

 

It is unfortunate that it takes a frustrated and abused employee with courage to expose what most in the airline and service industry have known and dealt with for years.

Customers can be downright rude and nasty to employees with no consequences.

 

 

Often companies like Jet Blue encourage this type of treatment because they will normally reward a customer's bad behavior.

In light of this incident (publicity) Jet Blue announced it is giving all passengers on board the flight a $100 “Reward”.

Why?

 

This incident on Jet Blue Flight 1052 from Pittsburgh to New York’s JFK and daily occurrences of similar issues could be avoided if companies like Jet Blue had the courage to support their employees and not let them be treated with disrespect from their customers.

 

This issue may have not even escalated to the point it did if the Captain of the flight became involved. He or she would have had the authority to have the passengers removed.

The Captain is ultimately responsible for who flies on the airplane and he or she should always take into consideration other crew members when making that decision.

 

Any passenger that is disrespectful to an employee and will not comply with safety instructions (which is required by law) should be removed from the flight. Why should Flight Attendant Slater or any other employee doing their job be treated with disrespect by a rude customer?

While I cannot condone Mr. Slater's actions in possibly violating airport security rules or airline policy I still consider him a hero. It is ridiculous to see the criminalization of his actions. I know of others that I have violated airport security procedures and the worst outcome has been suspension of airport security privileges.

I hope those “investigating” this incident will have the courage to do the right thing and let Mr Slater go on with his life.

There are real criminals that the Queen’s New York District Attorney should spend taxpayer’s money prosecuting instead of an employee fed up from years of customer abuse.

 

Technorati Tags: Steven Slater,Jet Blue,Flight Attendant,Jet Blue Flight 1052,Pittsburgh,New York,JFK,Queen's District Attorney

From Departure Gate To Takeoff, How Do Pilots Do That?

 

A simple answer would be, hopefully very safe and carefully. However, in reality to do so requires a lot of planning and experience.

 

Arriving at the airplane, pilots must complete an interior and exterior preflight to check that the airplane is safe for flight.

Manuals and checklists are provided to ensure this process is completed correctly.

 

 

 

Most commercial aircraft are equipped with on board computers and navigation systems to assist pilots in safely operating your flight.

Before your flight can depart a flight plan is loaded into the on board navigation system manually or through an automatic up link.

This is an electronic Point A to B map.

 

 

Once the flight deck preparation is complete your flight will be ready to depart the gate after the boarding process is complete.

 

“Phoenix Ground, American 41 is ready to push Gate 19”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although your flight is ready to depart it cannot leave the gate until it has permission to do so from a Ramp or Ground Traffic Controller.

 

Leaving the gate area one or both engines will be started depending on your airline, airport or airline company procedure.

There is no key involved. For the most part this is an automatic process initiated and monitored by the pilot.

 

 

If a lengthy taxi time is anticipated it is possible the airplane will taxi (move around) with only one engine running. This can save a considerable amount of fuel and money. At idle, a jet engine can use more than 100 gallons per hour. With a fleet of 600 airplanes, using just 10 gallons less fuel per hour per airplane with Jet Fuel at $2.00 per gallon equals about a $12,000 savings in fuel cost.

 

As the airplane begins to roll the noises you hear are flaps being extended and brakes being checked. Both of these are normally operated by a hydraulic system.

In order for the airplane to fly it must produce lift. In essence it must overcome the effect of gravity.

The aircraft wing is the primary source for producing lift and flaps supplement it's lift producing capability.

Flaps are used for takeoffs and landings with the amount used depending on the airplane weight and configuration.

 

At the gate or as the airplane is taxiing to the runway the airplane’s weight is calculated. This is important because it determines what configuration will be used to allow for a safe takeoff.

Did you know that standard weights are used for all passengers? You weigh about 200 pounds in the winter and about 175 in the summer. Either way you look marvelous. Hey, hey, hey!

With the aircraft weight determined safe takeoff speeds and power settings can be determined.

Sometimes this calculation is delayed and you cannot takeoff until it is complete. Although unusual you might find yourself in a “We are waiting for takeoff numbers” delay which is normally brief.

 

For maintenance and fuel savings along with other safety considerations your flight may not always takeoff at full power. An airplane with few passengers departing on a long runway might be such case.

Have you ever stuck your hand out the window of a moving car while your mom was not looking? What happens? Your hand wants to fly especially if your mom has a lead foot. However, if she drives slow like me nothing much happens.

 

The same is true of an airplane. It must reach a certain speed before it will fly. Again this speed depends on it's weight and atmospheric conditions.

On a hot day with all things equal the airplane must go faster to fly than on a cold day. Most commercial airplanes safely become airborne between 150-200 miles per hour although airplane speeds are referenced in knots.

 

“Northwest 807, turn right heading 230, cleared for takeoff”

 

When conditions allow most airplanes will take off with a headwind to reduce the amount of runway required to become airborne. That is why at different times you may depart an airport in a different direction depending on surface winds.

Using throttle levers located on a center console, pilots set a pre-determined power setting.

 

As the airplane gains speed pilots are required to make system checks to ensure the airplane can be safely taken airborne. Any malfunctions require a swift decision that is made based on experience, aircraft procedures and airline policies. 99.9 percent of the time reaching the correct calculated lift off speed your flight will become safely airborne.

 

This is done by the pilot manipulating a flight control surface on the tail of the airplane called the elevator combined with “rudder” pedals for ground directional control.

 

 

 

 

A coordination of flight control surfaces on the tail along with the wings and you are accelerating to your cruising altitude. You will be traveling about 500 miles an hour when you get there.

 

With nice weather it will seem like you are sitting in a comfortable bus except you will soon be about 5 miles above the earth. Enjoy your flight.

 

Technorati Tags: Flaps,Navigation Systems,Elevator,Exterior Preflight,Phoenix Ground,American,Northwest

Fly Spirit Airlines, Pay For Carry On Luggage

 

As of August 1^st Spirit Airlines now charges it's passengers for carry on luggage.

Despite politicians like Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York meddling, Spirit has gone ahead with it's previously announced plans.

I say good for Spirit Airlines having the courage to run their business how they see fit to do so.

 

 

I recently flew Spirit to Boston on August 2nd and from what I could tell passengers have quickly adapted to the new fees.

I don't think Spirit has lost many of it's customers as my flight was still relatively full for a weekday 7am departure. It boarded without any problems and departed on time.

 

 

Like most businesses Spirit is doing what it feels it must to survive and stay profitable. For some reason, I think politicians and a good portion of the flying public feel that airlines must sacrifice their viability for the sake of cheap airfares.

Most would feel differently if the same standards were applied to where they earned their bread and butter.

 

In my opinion baggage fees along with “nickel and diming” of customers would be unnecessary if airlines could upfront get a reasonable price for their product.

In the end, passengers will determine whether Spirit is doing the right thing in charging it's customers extra fees for carry on luggage.

Let the market decide not the politicians.

 

Technorati Tags: Spirit Airlines,Baggage Fees,Senator Charles Schumer

My Experience Flying Delta To Madrid

 

After causing a minor security breach coming from the airport parking building, I quickly return to airport terminal.

 

A brief check of the departure display board and I proceed to the Delta ticket counter to check in for my flight.

 

 

 

 

 

Using a kiosk with the assistance of a Delta employee, the check in process is simple and easy even for an international flight.

 

 

 

 

 

Showing my identification and boarding pass to a TSA employee, I join a short security line for airport screening.

Using provided bins, I separate my travel companions. Canon and Samsung camera equipment in one bin, Acer notebook laptop in another.

Bare feet, I pass through the center (you should also) of the metal detector. Passing too close to the sides might set it off even if you have no metal on you.

 

We start the boarding process about 40 minutes prior to departure on a relatively full flight. Arriving at the gate early, I have time to RELAX and browse the nearby concession shops.

 

 

 

 

$2.00 is steep for a 16oz bag of M&M's but I need a "melt in your mouth not in your hand" fix.

My flight is on board a Boeing 757 where I am assigned a window seat. Leaving the gate on time, the airplane suddenly goes dark as it loses power.

A nearby passenger is quick to note, “They did say to turn off all electrical devices”. This causes a burst of laughter and my flight is off to a humorous start.

 

The Captain informs us about the situation and the problem is quickly resolved. Apparently, the aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) had shutdown.

 

Airborne, I get a nice view of South Florida coastline and building afternoon thunderstorms in the distance.

Further north a glimpse of America's Space Coast and Cape Canaveral, the Space Shuttle launch site.

 

Before long we are descending into Atlanta for an on time arrival.

A 3 hour sit at Atlanta Hartsfield's, the world's busiest airport, gives me time to RELAX and explore what the airport has to offer.

 

 

 

 

En-route to my next gate, I deny myself the indulgence of a 3 for 1 Caramel Apple Special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or Sam Adams Beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the sounds of black and ivory notes, I am thinking “Play us a song” as I approach The Piano Bar located in Terminal E.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About an hour before departure I am at the boarding gate for my flight to Madrid.

For security reasons, passengers must be on board international flights at least 30 minutes prior to departure.

Failure to do so can lead to denied boarding as bags are removed for passengers that do not actually board the flight.

 

For an on time departure, airlines must have sufficient time to do so hence the 30 minute cut-off.

This evening the flight time is about 8 hours and 30 minutes to Madrid. On board a Boeing 767, the seats are relatively comfortable with individual seat back entertainment.

My plan as always on international flights is to attempt to adjust my body time to my new destination. It is almost 1am in Madrid as Spain is six hours ahead of east coast time.

Somewhere over the North Atlantic dinner is served. A night cap with a guy named Jack and a girl named Ginger (Jack Daniels and Canada Dry Ginger Ale) and I vaguely remember reclining seat.

 

Peeking from behind heavy eyelids, I open a window shade and Delta 108 is well into it’s descent for Madrid, Spain.

 

 

 

 

Now I am taking in a view of Spain from thousands of feet up in the air. The skies above are clear and blue accented only by an occasional whisper cloud.

 

The air below is also clear and gives a great view of the Spanish landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the morning sun warming it's left side, the airplane's shadow follows us all the way to a smooth touchdown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bienvenido, A Madrid!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Delta,Madrid,Atlanta Hartsfield,TSA,Acer Notebook,Metal Detector,Boeing 757,Boeing 767,APU,Cape Canaveral,Atlanta,Spain,Jack Daniels,Canada Dry Ginger Ale

Airlines Lose Court Case

 

 

In a decision that may eventually help reduce airport congestion and delays, a US Court of Appeals ruled that airports can impose varying landing fees throughout the day at congested airports.

 

 

 

How airlines react to this decision may lead to reduced delays at airports like New York La Guardia or Chicago O'Hare.

A major contributing factor to airport delays is airport and airspace congestion. Airlines contribute to this problem by having too many flights operating at congested airports. For the stated case of remaining competitive, airlines will operate numerous flights with smaller aircraft between certain paired cities.

 

As an example, some airlines offer what is called “Shuttle Service”. These flights offer hourly or less than hourly service usually between two high density airports.

Many times these routes (New York, Boston, Chicago) are flown by 50-90 seat aircraft that require most of the same airport and airspace considerations.

 

 

The same amount of seats can be offered by one 150 seat airplane compared to three 50 seat airplanes. While schedule frequency would be reduced so would the amount of airplanes.

Even passengers inconvenienced by scheduling changes will benefit if over all airport congestion and delays are reduced.

 

 

By imposing higher landing fees at certain times of the day airports hope to influence airline scheduling policies. Although I am not fond of government intervention in business sometimes it becomes necessary.

I agree with the court's decision in the case of Department Of Transportation versus The Air Transport Association (ATA). The court stated, “As the airspace is used ever more intensively, it is unsurprising that the department would update its approach to landing fees in an effort to relieve airport congestion”.

 

I hope both parties will use this decision to update their approaches to solving other problems effecting air travel congestion and delays.

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Department Of Transportation,The Air Transport Association,Landing Fees,Congested Airports,New York La Guardia,ChicagoO'Hare,Boston,Chicago,Shuttle Service

The Truth About Airlines Tarmac Horror Stories

 

I sense that there is a belief among many that airlines have done less than nothing to avoid “tarmac horror stories”.

This belief goes along with the logic that “The airlines should have come up with a solution when they had the chance (which they had for YEARS). And – again – they not only did nothing; they basically “stuck it” to the government and the flying public”.

 

Some facts for you:

In 2006, 36 out of 7,141,922 flights reported had delays of more than five hours after pushing back from the gate. That is just 0.0005 percent, or five ten-thousandths of a percent.

Delays and cancellations are the enemies of every airline. DOT has estimated the cost of delays to U.S. airline passengers in 2005 at $9.4 billion. At $62 in direct operating costs per minute of flight delay, DOT has estimated that in 2005 delays cost airlines an additional $5.9 billion.

Reference:http://www.airlines.org/PublicPolicy/Testimony/Pages/testimony_4-11-07Senate.aspx

The TRUTH and point here is “tarmac horror stories” are extremely rare in the big picture and hurt airlines as much as passengers (if not more).

The TRUTH is most passengers prefer to take the chance of delays than to have their flights canceled.

 

 

 

 

Airlines sometimes in extreme situations miscalculate the effects on weather and delays on airport operations. It is only then that passengers may find themselves in this unfortunate situation.

 

 

 

To my knowledge, all “tarmac horror stories” have involved unforeseeable weather situations and delays. Having stranded passengers is an unfortunate situation not an intentional one.

Every flight a major airline operates is done with a contingency plan. If the weather is forecast to be bad at your destination then extra fuel and alternate airports are chosen.

If you are flying from DFW to FLL where bad weather or delays are forecast. You can rest assure your flight has a contingency plan. MIA or MCO may be alternate airports where extra fuel can be boarded. Sure you don't want to go to MIA or MCO but this has to be an option for additional fuel or services your flight might need before it can land in FLL.

 

Airplanes are designed to have flexibility in their normal mode of operation but are limited by fuel and passenger or load configuration. Any airplane cannot fly forever, it can run out of gas just like your car might except you have more options.

Therefore, even with a contingency plan to get you safely to your destination without a “tarmac horror story”, your flight will have limitations.

Airlines gain nothing by creating these situations and I can guarantee you they do their best to avoid them as the statistics from 2006 prove. Again, only 36 out of 7,141,922 flights reported had delays of more than five hours after pushing back from the gate.

 

Yes, that is potentially 36 “tarmac horror stories” and I would not wish anyone to be in that situation.

 

 

Yet, if you consider a 0.0005 % occurrence rate as airlines not being responsible or doing less than nothing then I am afraid you have an unrealistic expectation of airlines and air travel.

This is hardly a case of “stick it to the government and the flying public” and The Passenger's Bill Of Rights is useless government intervention. For sure you will see less “tarmac horror stories”.

However, this will come at the expense of you being possibly further delayed when your flight is canceled by your airline to avoid paying ridiculous government fines.

 

 

 

 

 

Often comparison is made to EU regulations but they are mostly meaningless. The EU operates it airlines and airspace differently than in the US. Furthermore, European passengers have other reliable means of public transportation and the volume of air traffic does not compare to US operations. An airline with 600 daily departures can hardly be compared to one with 3,400.

 

It seems people have unrealistic expectations when it comes to airlines and air travel. This only leads to disappointment for something that can otherwise be a pleasant experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: Tarmac Horror Stories,DOT,Airline Delays,Airline Cancellations,DFW,FLL,MCO,MIA