Vakkotaur

Yes, I'm swiping mr_fu's title for this bit of rantiness.

I am also writing of the past weekend, though not really the NYC and wedding parts. Just the getting there and getting back parts. And in fact, just the flights. Or rather, the gap between the two flights back...

On Friday, jmaynard and I had one boarding pass each. This meant we had one plane to La Guardia, even though we would land at Midway. The flight was nicely uneventful and we landed at Chicago Midway. Announcements told us we could leave the plane if we wanted, but did not have to do so. We decided to stay on the plane. Someone came around to verify that we were in the right seats and that was it. Even with a crew change, that was it. Soon we were in the air again. We landed a bit early at La Guardia.

On Sunday, we again had one boarding pass each. So we figured we'd stay on the plane in Chicago just like on the flight out. Unlike the flight out, the flight back was not on time. (jmaynard says he has yet to see ATA 205 be on time, and he's flown it several times.) There goes an hour or so right there. Once we get into the air, all is reasonably well, if delayed. Again we land in Chicago. Again we are told we can leave the plane, but don't have to. We are told this a few times. Then, without explanation, we are told that everybody has to deplane. We grab all our carry-on, figuring there is some problem and we'll have to change planes.

The jetway isn't driven up to the plane. Instead, a truck with enclosed stairs is parked by the plane. We climb the stairs down and onto the ground where we are directed into the terminal... and told to stay at the gate. We find out that we will be getting back onto the very same aircraft we just left. Why? No idea. The person checking our seating remarks it was silly to get us off of the plane. We agree and ask why we were told to. No explanation. Someone remarks about a crew change. But that makes no sense, as there was a crew change Friday and this silliness wasn't inflicted on us.

Those who were going on to Minneapolis were let back onto the plane first. In fact, I was the first passenger back on the plane. Yes, back up the truck-stairs. I notice many folks had left baggage on the plane - something that would not have been permitted if a plane change had been contemplated.

Another takeoff, another flight, another landing -- in Minneapolis, despite some crew member making a Very Bad Joke about us being cleared to land in Duluth.

Now, weather delays I understand. Mechanical problems causing changes of plan I understand. When these things happen, there is an explanation. Other flights I had been told that my plane had been grounded because of fuel problems. Or that we had to power up at a different point than usual as the auxiliary engine wasn't starting. Or that we had a ground stop and had to wait for a break in weather and a new flight plan approval. All were annoying. But in every case, I was told what the hell was going on. I can put up with a lot, really. But tell me what the hell is going on. ATA told us the get off of an airplane - one that was already behind schedule - and get right back on it, without a word as to why. Nor did they bother to put the jetway in place, or explain why it wasn't used.

In previous times, one might have asked "Is this any way to run a railroad?" It seems to be a piss poor way to run an airline.