on-time arrivals/departures

[Beverly Lynn]

** Do You Trust the DOT Numbers?
This week we're looking for your opinion on the U.S. Department of
Transportation's on-time arrival and departure numbers for the major
airlines, plus the figures release on involuntary bumping and other
delays. Do you believe them? If so, why? If not, why? Send your
thoughts to feedback@elliott.org and please include your full name,
city and contact information.


I'm just curious to the many who travel if they believe what they have read! I sent my email to him. he is pretty good at getting back to you too if you have any questions or comments.

 

[wackywitch]

Hey, Beverly....didn't you say once or twice that they count a departure as "on-time" when they shut the door to the gate and the plane pulls away? That sitting on the runway waiting to take off isn't counted in these "on-time" statistics?

When do they count the arrival? When the tires touch down on the tarmac?

If these are the criteria for "on-time" arrivals and departures, then I'd have to say that ANY figure the airlines put out are skewed. My definition of on time arrival is when I walk into the airport at the stated arrival time and if the plane leaves the ground at the stated departure time.

 

[apagano]

I trust that the numbers are accurate for the criteria they use, but I question the criteria. I have noticed that schedules are pretty heavily padded. Some flights from Cleveland to LaGuardia are scheduled for 2 hours even though you only spend a little over 1 hour in the air. And sitting on the tarmac for 45 minutes should NOT qualify as on-time no matter when the plane leaves the gate.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

yep I sure did. this is why I emailed him my opinion on it as well. there is out from the gate time, off the ground time, on the ground time, at the gate time......its a royal pain having to fill it in in the omcputer and on all the paperwork associated with this. I think they need to reevaluate the system for on time performance. like Air Tran from pit. they may show on time becuase they pushed it away fromt he gate 50 feet to get it there but it didn't take off for another 35 min. thats not on time. how can a flight leave on time then arrive over 45 min late? makes no sense.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

where's the link to view the numbers?

 

[Beverly Lynn]

do a search for them. try google.com or dogpile.com and then try the DOT(department of transportation.

 

[travelcoupons]

The link...............
http://199.79.179.77/ntda/oai/index.shtml