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[Travel] Plane in a spot of bother......
- Thread starter dazzer6666
- Start date
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,221
Exactly. FlightRadar means every man and his dog can see the odd aircraft going round again, or turning back, and assumes there's some sort of panic situation on. When I worked at LGW, there were local standbys all the time, plus the occasional full emergency, the terminology of which would probably put the fear of God into most people, but which for the airport staff are a fairly standard and generally unconcerning occurrence (albeit an FE would warrant the fire service lining up just in case).
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
The only time I've experienced anything like this was because of swirling fog at Luton. We were on an early morning Easyjet flight from Athens, and the pilot went around a couple of times getting lower each time, and then climbing again.
He announced that the fog was moving so he was going to give it a third try, and if he had 100 yards visibility this time, he would land it, otherwise we'd climb again and go to Stansted.
My friend and I had a National Express coach booked an hour later, so really wanted to land at Luton, but fortunately, the fog swirled enough to give us a clear view and we landed.
He announced that the fog was moving so he was going to give it a third try, and if he had 100 yards visibility this time, he would land it, otherwise we'd climb again and go to Stansted.
My friend and I had a National Express coach booked an hour later, so really wanted to land at Luton, but fortunately, the fog swirled enough to give us a clear view and we landed.
As someone who has used National Express loads of times from Heathrow to Brighton that is one thing not to worry about. I have arrived early or late for my booked coach and have always been able to board the next available whether ahead of schedule or late. Once we were diverted to Manchester and NE put me on the next coach to London rather than wait for the airline to magic up alternative travel.
Shropshire Seagull
Well-known member
For most modern aircraft and airports, landing in fog is no longer an issue thanks to ILS [Instrument Landing System].
Beacons around the threshold [piano-keys] at each end of the runway work on very precise triangulation to confirm aircraft height and direction to ensure the glide path arrives on the threshold - clever stuff and very safe ...
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
That's ok if you're going to London. I wasn't.
Nothing to do with London as a destination. My experience of NE is wherever you are going they do their best to put you on the next available coach. They well understand that aircraft arrivals do not always keep to schedule.
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
The coach I wanted was from Luton to Yorkshire. I don't think Stansted had that service.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Ok. Understand. Still think NE offers a good service where it does go to.. Have a lovely weekend.
Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
Yeah but you have to pay some kid a fiver to watch the plane while the pilot runs into the terminal for a slash or come back to find the tyres nailed.
OzMike
Well-known member
I think that I would be happy to be the position to yomp all the way back down, rather than be transported in a box.
Pilot on a flight from London to Edinburgh a few years ago: “Well, ladies and gentlemen, we’re about half way up, and I’ve been told that they’ve just closed Edinburgh airport due to fog. So what we’re going to do is fly on up there and hang around a bit. Hopefully, the fog will clear enough for us to land. If it doesn’t, I’ll see if I can find somewhere else.”
