From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!esquire!brl-bmd!wmartin Newsgroups: net.aviation Title: On-ground holds for ATC Article-I.D.: brl-bmd.314 Posted: Tue Aug 10 11:40:48 1982 Received: Thu Aug 12 07:39:28 1982 References: csin.176 This is NOT a general aviation question; it relates to commercial flights: I've been taking flights for business purposes about once a month for a while this year. Every flight, ecept one night flight, has been delayed at the gate for 20-40 minutes due to being held at the gate by the air traffic controllers, according to pilots' announcements. They usually explain how this is better than circling at the destination, saves fuel, and suchlike. I agree with this reasoning; it is logical. But why on earth are the flights scheduled for time "n" and then delayed for 30 minutes at all?!?!? Why aren't they SCHEDULED for time "n + 30" to start with? Can anyone explain the reasoning behind paying the crew and loading the plane that extra 30 minutes ahead of when they can take off? As I said, this affected EVERY flight I took during prime time, so what would be wrong with just slipping all the schedules? Bemusedly, Will Martin