Ryanair blame cancellation on snow to save money

budgetflyer

From the Ryanair website
http://www.ryanair.com/en/notices/gops/101128-Snow_Disruptions-GB

UK: Gatwick Airport is open but operating with restricted flight movements resulting in a number of flight cancellations up until 15:30hrs. Edinburgh Airport is open but due to limited availablity of de-icing fluid a number of flights have been cancelled.

bagand96

budgetflyer wrote: »

From the Ryanair website
http://www.ryanair.com/en/notices/gops/101128-Snow_Disruptions-GB

And there was us debating crewing!

This could be a new one. It is most certainly a flight safety issue. Wonder whether it is extraordinary though? If there physically isn't enough of the stuff at EDI to go round then it is beyond the airlines control. However would a judge say it is the airlines responsibility ensure there was enough? Seeing as Ryanair, and every other airline, do not do this work themselves (it is contracted to either the airport or handling agents) is it or isn't it beyond the reasonable control of said airline?

dzug1

bagand96 wrote: »

Seeing as Ryanair, and every other airline, do not do this work themselves (it is contracted to either the airport or handling agents) is it or isn't it beyond the reasonable control of said airline?

Who knows? However principals are generally responsible for the actions or otherwise of their subcontractors, so it doesn't (directly) let them off the hook.

budgetflyer

Ryanair Urban myth #1023

Michael O'Leary has bought up all available de-icer stock, and only releasing it (via sub contractors) for full flights.

Scots

I've been working today so unable to answer here. Just got time for one reply.... all of the above hypothetical reasons for not flying are fine except...

If there was no crew aavailable, when would they realise this, 5 mins before take off ? would they put the luggage on board, would they refuel if there was no crew. I don't think they would.

If there was no de icer, then how come other planes were being de iced before, during and after my cancellation. Plus the de icer guys were actually in position waiting for us to go. Doesn't sound like there was no de icer.

Thx for all the input guys, appreciated. will catch up later. finish around 2 am. I drive taxi's no cancelling for me.

dzug1

Scots wrote: »

I've been working today so unable to answer here. Just got time for one reply.... all of the above hypothetical reasons for not flying are fine except...

If there was no crew aavailable, when would they realise this, 5 mins before take off ? would they put the luggage on board, would they refuel if there was no crew. I don't think they would.

If there was no de icer, then how come other planes were being de iced before, during and after my cancellation. Plus the de icer guys were actually in position waiting for us to go. Doesn't sound like there was no de icer.

Thx for all the input guys, appreciated. will catch up later. finish around 2 am. I drive taxi's no cancelling for me.

Well if they were going to cancel anyway why would they bother to do all that?

Pure speculation - they were expecting a relief crew to turn up and at the last minute they didn't. Either they couldn't get to the airport, or were arriving from another flight that was cancelled/badly delayed. Or someone got confused, allowed the preparations to go ahead - then oops, remembered it couldn't go.

There's all sorts of explanations as well as cancelled to save money.

whatmichaelsays

richardw wrote: »

And maybe not. There should be adequate standby crew to provide cover.

And who pays for an arbitrary number of "spare crews" to be hanging around every airport that Ryanair fly to?

If Ryanair have a crew, they'll want them in the air earning money, not sitting in Costa Coffee waiting for circumstances that, around 360 days of the year, won't happen.

bagand96

budgetflyer wrote: »

Ryanair Urban myth #1023

Michael O'Leary has bought up all available de-icer stock, and only releasing it (via sub contractors) for full flights.

Ryanair Urban myth #649

Michael O'Leary gets out of bed every morning, and looks at Ryanair's timetable for that day. For no other reason than his own amusement at others misfortune, he randomly selects 5 flights to cancel.

richardw

whatmichaelsays wrote: »

And who pays for an arbitrary number of "spare crews" to be hanging around every airport that Ryanair fly to?

It is funded from the saving from not paying compensation to passengers for ordinary circumstances cancellations.

Many organisations have standby employee systems to maintain service levels, it is an art to getting it right and doesn't have people hanging around unecessarily as you imply.

budgetflyer

What most businesses who's standby rotas are abnormally stretched would do is phone out any extra staff on days off etc. Many people are glad of the extra overtime.
In this instance, conditions made getting to the airport difficult.Maybe who ever was in charge just didn't think it through properly or just couldnt get the staffing levels.

However, In the great bean counting world, it makes sense to cancel the plane with only 50 on it and let the full ones fly. They may huff + puff about compensation, but if the courts decide, they will just have to pay it.