VS065 - why is it delayed so often?

At LGW flight delayed 2 hrs - cant see any delayed incoming flights..delays seem to be the rule on this flight ... Why?
On a brighter note managed to bag exit row seats in the bubble at twilight check in!!!

[Neil]

The a/c that is operating the 65 today is G-VROS that is currently operating the VS44 from LAS and only due in to LGW at just before 11am this morning (slightly late). So your delay is caused because they will need an appropriate amount of time to do the turn around of the a/c.

While you are correct the this flight does leave delayed more than you would hope, it actually does still tend to arrive on time if not slightly early. So it could be the slight delays in departure could actually be to ensure they don't arrive to early in to MBJ.

Neil - that was quick! Many thanks

In my experience it's usually delayed due to people being late getting to the aircraft and the number if big wheelie bags people try to bring in as hand baggage. This is a common problem on MBJ and KIN usually resulting in not enough hat rack space and lots if bags having to be offloaded tagged and placed in the hold.

Second the above, plus a lot of children and disabled passengers.

That isn't the case today (at the moment). The incoming flight is a few minutes late - yet it results in a 2 hr delay! I think there is a scheduling issue... Not the end of the world we are in number one lounge.!
Will do a trip report in the next few days.

This is a common problem on MBJ and KIN usually resulting in not enough hat rack space and lots if bags having to be offloaded tagged and placed in the hold.

I love it that you still call the bins hat racks VB :X .

Second the above, plus a lot of children and disabled passengers.

Flown to LAS three times, JFK once and MBJ once, and only on the Montego Bay flights did I see the multitudes of wheelchair boardings, I'd say at least 50 of them.

Does this happen on many other flights?

It happened both the LGW and MBJ side. The one I saw while waiting near the door of the plane, got up and casually wandered off to his seat, inferring to me, that some aren't really wheelchair bound in any way...

All the crew call them hat racks slinky lol

Yes you're right about the wheelchair thing too smid always a lot more on these flights. The last time I got off in Kingston they were all lined up one behind the other down the corridor about 30 of them could have all pushed each other and been like a little train. Again it's the kin and MBj that have loads of wheelchairs. I think it's a culture thing but they do seem to expect a wheelchair even I'd done of them are more than capable of walking?

All the crew call them hat racks slinky lol

I once sat next to Joan Collins on a flight to LAX, her hat was so large it wouldn't fit, had to go in the crew rest ) .

It happened both the LGW and MBJ side. The one I saw while waiting near the door of the plane, got up and casually wandered off to his seat, inferring to me, that some aren't really wheelchair bound in any way...

This sort of thing does upset me a little bit (nothing personal, I know it's just a throwaway comment on your part). My wife has to use a wheelchair and while there is no way she could walk more than 50 yards unaided (i.e. even down the jetway would be too much), she can walk to her seat as she can use the seat-tops for support on her way down and also sit down if she needs a quick breather.

The only alternative - as most wheelchairs will not fit down the airplane aisle - is to transfer to a special thin aisle wheelchair provided by the airport at the gate. I can tell you from experience that - despite booking in advance - the airport rarely remembers to have one ready for you, so we have a choice between delaying an entire flight for anything up to 30 mins while we wait - or just walking down. My wife's an independent sod too and tries to walk as much as possible.

I know it can be frustrating to see someone walking around and then later see them whizzed past you in a chair to skip security lines etc, especially if they look young and healthy like my wife, but we're honestly not all faking it just to get special assistance (it's not that special - now if it came with a free clubhouse invite, then I could see people faking it... ).

So yes, not everyone in a wheelchair is completely wheelchair-bound. Doesn't mean they don't need one.

Anyway, rant over!

Drew

This sort of thing does upset me a little bit (nothing personal, I know it's just a throwaway comment on your part). My wife has to use a wheelchair and while there is no way she could walk more than 50 yards unaided (i.e. even down the jetway would be too much), she can walk to her seat as she can use the seat-tops for support on her way down and also sit down if she needs a quick breather.

The only alternative - as most wheelchairs will not fit down the airplane aisle - is to transfer to a special thin aisle wheelchair provided by the airport at the gate. I can tell you from experience that - despite booking in advance - the airport rarely remembers to have one ready for you, so we have a choice between delaying an entire flight for anything up to 30 mins while we wait - or just walking down. My wife's an independent sod too and tries to walk as much as possible.

I know it can be frustrating to see someone walking around and then later see them whizzed past you in a chair to skip security lines etc, especially if they look young and healthy like my wife, but we're honestly not all faking it just to get special assistance (it's not that special - now if it came with a free clubhouse invite, then I could see people faking it... ).

So yes, not everyone in a wheelchair is completely wheelchair-bound. Doesn't mean they don't need one.

Anyway, rant over!

Drew

You clearly haven't seen the events we've been describing though, there are really a mass of wheelchairs being used by able bodied old people on the Montego bay flights. It wasn't a comment on people only able to walk short distances... The person I saw walking was clearly not inhibited in any way...