News and notes from around the interweb:
- American Airlines Pilot Scolded by Delhi ATC for Taxiing too Slowly
At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), an American Airlines (AA) captain experienced an unusual confrontation with ATC. The controller scolded the pilot for taxiing too slowly at 12 knots.
…When the captain refused to increase speed due to safety concerns, as the aircraft was at max gross weight, the situation escalated. ATC subsequently directed the aircraft to a “penalty box” – a designated holding area away from active runways – essentially delaying the flight’s departure.
The captain later reflected that Delhi (DEL) was one of the only airports he had encountered with specific minimum taxi speed requirements rather than maximum limits.
- Clean. Your. Planes.
@AmericanAir
Did you ever think of cleaning your airplanes? Business class….. pic.twitter.com/Yz4RWx8ytK— moe green (@moegreen19) April 15, 2025
I’m flying @united first class. My seat is broken and the purchased WiFi is a joke. This is also next to my seat. Refund please! pic.twitter.com/gWG2qXEGgJ
— TB* (@thebrownlife) April 15, 2025
- Last year, American Airlines introduced higher award prices for additional inventory on some Alaska Airlines flights, combinable with American Airlines flights. That’s been extended.
- It’s not good chocolate – not worth eating – but it’s not required, either. It’s a cheap gimmick but still above and beyond, right?
- Singapore Airlines new terminal 2 lounges at Changi airport
- Update on American Airlines summer baggage embargo:
Well said, Gary. I’d’ve gone with exclamations: ‘Clean! Your! Planes!’
And also: Pay your cleaning crews well, and give them enough time and support to do their jobs!
While the term “Penalty Box” has always amused me (especially since there are a few airport diagrams that explicitly use that name), I have to wonder what the call was. “Delay of game”?
Planes need to go through a deep cleaner more often but that cost money so……..
I wonder how much extra weight is carried due to airplanes not being cleaned properly. The extra weight requires extra fuel to be consumed.
It’s all about money.
@George N Romey — Costs to clean.
@jns — Costs NOT to clean.
Brilliant!
Changi terminal 2 renderings look sleek.
@Denver Refugee — Haha would be a fitting penalty. I’m curious if that’s the official term used in DEL since I don’t think hockey is very popular out here (or maybe other industries use the term too?)
@1990 — I say your 3% titanium tax goes too far!
I was musing about fuel yesterday as I filled up my 4Runner. I wonder if a system could be made to fuel vehicles that would give you five gallons or twenty liters that was fast and totally automatic. Just pull up and five gallons is loaded and your credit card on file is charged. The whole idea is convenience and carrying less fuel so as to get better gas mileage (one of the reasons cited for getting rid of the spare tire). No going into a store to buy anything or do anything. Maybe a corral so you cannot get out and slow down the line. The vehicle gives feedback so it doesn’t overfill and maybe won’t fill a tank to more than half full. You could always go to a traditional gas station for the long trips or if you want to go inside to buy something or use the restroom.
@ jns. We used to have that system, it was called a Service Station. An attendant met you when you pulled up to the pump and asked you how many gallons you wanted or a fill up. They even washed your window and checked your oil. They (most often HE was in uniform) took your cash and you drove off. Think this was antiquated? Oregon wouldn’t give the service up until two years ago.
@One Trippe — It’s still a thing in NJ! (It has been illegal to pump your own gas in New Jersey since 1949 under the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act.)
This reminds me of when I was giving my literally still-wet pilot license a shakedown on my first rental (Piper Cherokee) flight from Gary IN to Toronto International Airport. I had no idea what I was signing up for, and it was a miracle of timing that had me and my 3 passengers arrive on a Saturday, which was the only day of the week when landing reservations were not required.
After about an hour of holding, I had to tell Tower my passengers were getting airsick in the hot summer sun and I was running out of fuel. They finally gave me a landing window. Only, I was being followed with a Lockheed 1011, with a stall speed about the same as my cruise. They said repeatedly “Best Speed To The Runway” and sounded nervous, and then asked me if I could speed up.
I landed in a full power dive at VNE until half a second before touchdown with a pretty wild crab/slip at 90 degrees to kill velocity, tires screeching to make the turn to the first taxiway.
I vowed to do my homework henceforth.
Toronto Tower were absolute princes and didn’t even make fun of me. If you’re reading this, thanks!