Flight returns to gate for lost passports

I was on the VS45 last week. We push back about 5 minutes early, and I started to think if we get a quick take-off off we could be in JFK at least 30 minutes early. After being released from the tug, we went about 10 feet when the plane suddenly ground to a halt. After a short delay an announcement said we had to return to the gate due to a paperwork irregularity. Sighs all around as any chance of an early arrival went out of the window. When we got back to the gate it turned out the paperwork irregularity was 4 passports had been left by a family in the gate area. Once the family were reunited with their passports, and more fuel was taken on board, we were airborne about an hour late. This got me thinking on a couple of points:

1.Why did we go back to gate for the passports. Was is because Virgin would have been fined by US immigration as the four would not have the correct papers to enter the US? Was it for security reasons as four abandoned passports would be suspicious? Was it that Virgin, out the kindness of their hearts, did not want to see a family's holiday ruined?

2.It actually took longer to get more fuel on-board then sorting out the passport issue. As we had only travelled about 10 feet under our own steam I was surprised this was necessary. Is there a minimum amount of fuel that operational procedures say must be on-board for a LHR to JFK flight, and even if we were a few litres short of this a top-up was necessary?

Mark

Well if VS knew the passports were at LHR and then flew the passengers to the states, yes they would be fined and the passengers put on the next flight to Heathrow. The fines can be quite a lot for flying someone with the incorrect paperwork or lack of it in this case.

I would of thought it was cheaper for VS to return to the gate to pick them up.

[mitchja]

I believe every airline gets fined somewhere in the region of around ~2000 for every passport issue they let though (whether it be fake or out-of-date or simply not having one)

This is why VS out-source the passport checks (the pre-check-in red passport sticker). The pre-check-in agents are checking the authenticity and validity of your passport. You also see agents double-checking the passport stickers as you board the A/C to confirm you have been authenticated.

Obviously arriving in the US without a passport would be a major headache for VS or any other airline with US authorities wanting to know why and how the airline let pax arrive in the US without one.

Regards

I think the reasons for going back for the passports is fairly clear

But why the Fuel topping up? - that's the one that puzzles me?

quote:Originally posted by mitchja
You also see agents double-checking the passport stickers as you board the A/C to confirm you have been authenticated.


We were delayed boarding a flight from ORD because my son's passport hadn't got authenticated the sticker.

Paul

quote:Originally posted by PeterStansfield
I think the reasons for going back for the passports is fairly clear

But why the Fuel topping up? - that's the one that puzzles me?

I agree. I suspect that the ground staff are supposed to do a sweep of the gate area for lost property, before the door closes, but didn't in the case. When boarding a plane you seem to need as many arms as a octopus to gather up all your bits and pieces, so lost property cannot be that unusual.

This fuel was strange, as we had only travelled such a short distance that any fuel use would have been minimal. One joker on board said that perhaps one pilot turned to other as we started to roll and said I thought you put the gas in! Oh s**t we better go back to the gate![:)]

I seem to remember that during the last fuel crisis SRB was supporting the idea of tugs pulling planes almost to the runway before starting engines. Apparently this could save a significant amount of fuel. Not sure why it didn't get any further than just an idea?

Could have taken extra fuel to allow them to up the cruise speed to make up some time or they were operating at minimum fuel & the delay would get them in at a busy time & would require holding fuel.

As for the tugs. There is the cost of the extra tugs, the emissions from the big diesel engines in the tugs (not as efficient as gas turbine engines) & if they have a problem on initial engine start they are a long way from any assistance. I believe at JFK airlines often shut down one or all engines when waiting in the hold for take off.

[Scrooge]

How did the pax get on the plane without their passports, they are supposed to be checked at the gate [B)]

But yes, VS will be fined and the pax will be sent back on the next flight out if the pax arrive without them, so thats the reason for returning to the gate.

The fuel, a 744 burns about a gallon a second, fuel loads are calculated and the required amount is loaded, no more, no less, the problem comes when an unexpected delay crops up, so more fuel has to be loaded.

In regards to the tugs, it's a great idea, but at a busy airport it would be hard to work, just the sheer numbers of tugs required to move the flights around would cause an environmental issue.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
How did the pax get on the plane without their passports, they are supposed to be checked at the gate [B)]



Most of the gates (especially gates 13-22 which VS prefer) are known as closed gates - so passports and boarding cards are checked at the entrance to the gate before the passenger can enter the gate room. It sounds like the passengers left their passports on the seats inside the gateroom so they would have already been checked.

quote:In regards to the tugs, it's a great idea, but at a busy airport it would be hard to work, just the sheer numbers of tugs required to move the flights around would cause an environmental issue.

The problem is that most of the tugs in use in the UK are old & it's not a requirement to fit exhaust filters (as i believe it is in Germany), bit of an own goal using them really.

quote:The fuel, a 744 burns about a gallon a second, fuel loads are calculated and the required amount is loaded, no more, no less, the problem comes when an unexpected delay crops up, so more fuel has to be loaded.

Not 100% accurate, the crew will receive a flight plan on which the stand by fuel figure will be based. Roughly 30-45 mins prior to departure (check in closed etc) the crew will receive the final weights & will work out a final fuel figure. This is not set in stone & will receive adjustments at the Captains discretion.

Could have saved a bucket load of time by passing the documents up to the crew by going via the avionics bay hatch just aft of nose landing gear[;)]

Another consideration, they might have missed an ATC slot & had to wait for that[?]

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
How did the pax get on the plane without their passports, they are supposed to be checked at the gate [B)]
As Tinkerbelle says the passports and boarding cards were checked as we entered the gate holding area. As you boarded the plane the boarding cards only were checked, with the passports left in the holding area.

quote:Another consideration, they might have missed an ATC slot & had to wait for that[?]

After the 2nd pushback we were airborne within around 10 minutes. Not sure if we pushed to the front of the queue or very lucky with our timing and airfield position. I am sure there is a science to it, but taxi time at Heathrow always seems a lottery to me.

The flight was on Tuesday 22nd September, if anyone has any access to useful information.

quote:Originally posted by Denzil
Could have saved a bucket load of time by passing the documents up to the crew by going via the avionics bay hatch just aft of nose landing gear[;)]


There was a pic somewhere (probably on a.net) with an AA ramper crawling up a fully-extended belt-loader to hand the flight deck some missing paperwork through one of the flight deck windows - in order to save having the plane come back onto the gate and shut down.

This was followed by the typical a.net air-sucking discussion of how illegal/dangerous/against-rulebook/sensible this person's actions were - saved a return to gate and lengthy delay, and saved uplifting extra fuel.

Obviously, reaching the flight deck window on a 747 is likely not doable on a belt-loader.

Mike

I remember that picture, think it was a-net. Can't find it though.