Calgary International Airport II

[MrBigStuff]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Scary landing for this A380. Check the swerves after touchdown - I'm amazed it didn't tip!
• Video Link

The amazing skill that these pilots displayed on this rough landing - giving new meaning to white knuckle landing - and it's amazing that no tires blew out with the side to side motion.

[msmariner]

[QUOTE=MrBigStuff;7953297]The amazing skill that these pilots displayed on this rough landing - giving new meaning to white knuckle landing - and it's amazing that no tires blew out with the side to side motion.:yes

[FormerWingTipper]

BA B747 diversion early this morning. Looked like a medical. Arrived at Gate D78.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by FormerWingTipper

BA B747 diversion early this morning. Looked like a medical. Arrived at Gate D78.

Yeah - those BA 747's have been having huge bed bug issues.

[J-D]

Originally Posted by Acey

AM's YYC-MEX has seen an even higher percentage of connecting passengers than was anticipated, and AM is "very happy" with the route. That is directly from AM supervisor. It doesn't mean WS can't push them out, but obviously the higher the percentage of connecting pax on AM the less likely it is to happen... not to mention WS is only 4 weekly.

YVR will have four airlines to MEX. They might have a problem.

It certainly doesn't hurt that they've had rock bottom prices for the routes they're offering. I'll welcome the extra competition!

[Tobuz]

I flew in to YYC on a Delta flight this week, and noticed that the cabin crew never handed out CBSA declaration cards to passengers. I asked one of the flight attendants as he walked down the aisle. (I'm NEXUS, so I don't need one. But I know the frustration of landing in a foreign airport without forms pre-completed -- so asked!)

His response: Canada no longer uses paper forms, so Delta no longer provides them to passengers on flights to Canadian destinations.

Hmmmm, I thought. Canada no longer uses paper forms at most airports. But they absolutely still do at YYC! (I didn't bother to point out the error to the FA, as, well, why bother.)

As my fellow passengers arrived at the CBSA processing area, confusion reined as many were turned back to the hallway to find and complete those paper forms. Welcome to Calgary, folks.

CBSA's kiosks at YYC (which hasn't even been in service a year) are the old technology. Those are the ones that require the paper form to be completed and scanned. A glance at CBSA's web-site shows that they're only in use here, YYZ T1, and YUL. When I tried it once - just for the sake of trying it - the machine proved to be finicky, difficult, and a PITA.

According to the CBSA's web-site, here are where you'll find the brand new "Primary Inspection Kiosks" (that are entirely paperless) that Delta has caught wind of...

If you arrive at one of Canada's busiest international airports, you can now verify your identity and make an on screen declaration using primary inspection kiosks.

The CBSA, in collaboration with airport authorities, began introducing these new kiosks in March 2017 and will continue installing them at Canada's major airports throughout 2017-2018.

And the same web-site clarifies that "Canada's busiest" and "Canada's major airports" (as mentioned in the above quote) are:

Ottawa International Airport – YOW
Vancouver International Airport – YVR
Terminal 3, Toronto Pearson International Airport – YYZ
Edmonton International Airport – YEG
Halifax Stanfield International Airport – YHZ

Hmmm. Clearly the new, go-forward paperless kiosks had to have been in the works long before YYC's international terminal opened.

Why in the heck would CBSA have installed almost-obsolete technology in a brand new international terminal?? Wouldn't it have just made more sense to open YYC without kiosks, then install the new ones when they were ready to go?

If you're not NEXUS, consider stocking up on paper declaration cards if you're flying Delta (or if any other airlines similarly stop handing them out).

I also noticed that the arrivals hallways that lead up to YYC's CBSA processing area are now outfitted with loooong stanchion/rope corrals ... that snake quite a distance down the corridor walls. I assume that's a result of our old/bad kiosk system here and the resulting slow processing of passengers at peak arrival times. I recall the PR swirl around the new terminal last year promising how those long lines approaching CBSA in the old terminal would all be a thing of the past, eliminated by the cutting edge technology and design of the new terminal. Oopsie daisy. That didn't work out as planned.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Tobuz

I flew in to YYC on a Delta flight this week, and noticed that the cabin crew never handed out CBSA declaration cards to passengers. I asked one of the flight attendants as he walked down the aisle. (I'm NEXUS, so I don't need one. But I know the frustration of landing in a foreign airport without forms pre-completed -- so asked!)

His response: Canada no longer uses paper forms, so Delta no longer provides them to passengers on flights to Canadian destinations.

Hmmmm, I thought. Canada no longer uses paper forms at most airports. But they absolutely still do at YYC! (I didn't bother to point out the error to the FA, as, well, why bother.)

As my fellow passengers arrived at the CBSA processing area, confusion reined as many were turned back to the hallway to find and complete those paper forms. Welcome to Calgary, folks.

CBSA's kiosks at YYC (which hasn't even been in service a year) are the old technology. Those are the ones that require the paper form to be completed and scanned. A glance at CBSA's web-site shows that they're only in use here, YYZ T1, and YUL. When I tried it once - just for the sake of trying it - the machine proved to be finicky, difficult, and a PITA.

According to the CBSA's web-site, here are where you'll find the brand new "Primary Inspection Kiosks" (that are entirely paperless) that Delta has caught wind of...



And the same web-site clarifies that "Canada's busiest" and "Canada's major airports" (as mentioned in the above quote) are:

Ottawa International Airport – YOW
Vancouver International Airport – YVR
Terminal 3, Toronto Pearson International Airport – YYZ
Edmonton International Airport – YEG
Halifax Stanfield International Airport – YHZ


Hmmm. Clearly the new, go-forward paperless kiosks had to have been in the works long before YYC's international terminal opened.

Why in the heck would CBSA have installed almost-obsolete technology in a brand new international terminal?? Wouldn't it have just made more sense to open YYC without kiosks, then install the new ones when they were ready to go?

If you're not NEXUS, consider stocking up on paper declaration cards if you're flying Delta (or if any other airlines similarly stop handing them out).

I also noticed that the arrivals hallways that lead up to YYC's CBSA processing area are now outfitted with loooong stanchion/rope corrals ... that snake quite a distance down the corridor walls. I assume that's a result of our old/bad kiosk system here and the resulting slow processing of passengers at peak arrival times. I recall the PR swirl around the new terminal last year promising how those long lines approaching CBSA in the old terminal would all be a thing of the past, eliminated by the cutting edge technology and design of the new terminal. Oopsie daisy. That didn't work out as planned.

I believe YVR invested the kiosk. They setup a subsidiary company to manufacture and market the kiosk to airports in Canada and the US. At least YVR will make some money selling YYC new kiosks.

[PPAR]

I have a question for those of you familiar with YYC operations.

In February I will be returning from a business trip in Europe on a British Airways’s flight scheduled to land at 15:45. Turns out my son’s hockey team has decided to go to a tournament in Phoenix and wants the team down there the same evening I return to Canada. There is a 18:45 WestJet flight to Phoenix I could catch. I would exit customs, switch my business luggage for a carryon, and check back in.

So my question is this reasonable, or is BA often delayed, or is passing through both Canadian customs then out through us customs going to be too time pressed?

[PPAR]

Thanks Acey. I figure I need two hours to clear customs twice and meet up with my son, so as long as the BA flight is less than an hour late I should be fine (other opinions?).

[DoubleK]

Do you have a Nexus card? That might help you shave a few minutes through US customs.

[PPAR]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Do you have a Nexus card? That might help you shave a few minutes through US customs.

yeah I do. I also think that US customs should be relatively quiet in the late afternoon.

[YYCguys]

A friend of mine that just flew YYC-PSP the day before yesterday, said that nothing out of the ordinary occurred, at least with him, personally, vis a vis the new security protocol of an additional interview and electronics screening. Is it a random check or is it to be performed on each and every US bound passenger?

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by YYCguys

A friend of mine that just flew YYC-PSP the day before yesterday, said that nothing out of the ordinary occurred, at least with him, personally, vis a vis the new security protocol of an additional interview and electronics screening. Is it a random check or is it to be performed on each and every US bound passenger?

Flew into the states today (had to go through security and customs twice because my flight was cancelled ). Nothing out of the ordinary.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by Acey

Ahh yes, that gongshow of a Compass flight to SEA.

Compass, same as Delta? But yes, to Seattle how did you guess!? Certainly was a gong show and ruined my day.

[outoftheice]

Looks like the new Airport Authority CEO is making the right noises about trying to improve the airport experience. Be curious to see the changes they have up their sleeves.

Airport must be 'way better welcome mat' for Calgary and region, CEO says

Reid Southwick, Calgary Herald

Less than a year after taking the helm of the Calgary Airport Authority, Bob Sartor says he’s been fixing customer complaints at the new terminal while dreaming up ways to improve the experience for tech-savvy and international travellers.

“We need to be a way better welcome mat for the city and the surrounding region,” Sartor told a downtown crowd Thursday.

“As it relates to when they leave, we need to make that goodbye so memorable they will say, ‘I’ve got to come back.’”

The former chief executive of Calgary’s Big Rock Brewery took the airport’s top job in January, just as it was facing a series of grievances over the international terminal, which had opened a few months earlier.

Since then, the airport authority has taken on two major gripes by installing 200 more seats and seven water fountains throughout the terminal....

Full article here: http://calgaryherald.com/business/local-...come-mat-for-calgary-and-region-ceo-says

[Cage]

Originally Posted by Acey

We kind of international gates this morning. This was basically the first day of the full Saturday winter sked and it went pretty terribly. WS2214 and WS2382 both took 30 minute hits that WS likely attributed to gate shortage...

The problem is that this dumb airport doesn't have central deice, so when big boy Rouge needs to deice he blocks gates 80 and 81 for 15 minutes, and delays start stacking up so the two WS tow crews can't get the midmorning bank onto the gates in time. I don't see how WS can escape this on any Saturday morning where deicing is required, short of running a 3rd tow crew.

Okay Acey you have peaked my interest. Time for an indepth analysis of Saturday mornings gate activity. I have my suspicions as to what's going on, but will need to see the arrival and departure timings.

Good thing there is another hour tonight. Stay tuned.

[CrossedTheTracks]

Originally Posted by Acey

The problem is that this dumb airport doesn't have central deice, so when big boy Rouge needs to deice he blocks gates 80 and 81 for 15 minutes, and delays start stacking up so the two WS tow crews can't get the midmorning bank onto the gates in time. I don't see how WS can escape this on any Saturday morning where deicing is required, short of running a 3rd tow crew.

Hmm? There is a central deicing facility. Is it... too small? Doesn't accommodate all aircraft types?

I don't know much about it other than I used it once earlier this year. Looks like it has 4 parking spots, based on satellite picture. A far cry from YYZ's capacity, I realize.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by Acey

We kind of international gates this morning. This was basically the first day of the full Saturday winter sked and it went pretty terribly. WS2214 and WS2382 both took 30 minute hits that WS likely attributed to gate shortage...

The problem is that this dumb airport doesn't have central deice, so when big boy Rouge needs to deice he blocks gates 80 and 81 for 15 minutes, and delays start stacking up so the two WS tow crews can't get the midmorning bank onto the gates in time. I don't see how WS can escape this on any Saturday morning where deicing is required, short of running a 3rd tow crew.

Some of the problems can be attributed to start up of the winter schedule. Example: WS had to tow a bunch of aircraft over from domestic because there were insufficient Mexico arrivals the night before. Additionally TS ferried in their 310 for startup ops, I think WG did the same but cannot find the inbound aircraft to confirm.

A central de-ice apron would help solve the mid morning WS bank issues as it would get the ealry morning aircraft off gate on time.

Another suggestion would be to use the overnight TAC crew to reposition 2-3 aircraft onto the international apron remote stands. This would make the aircraft require less time during the midmorning crunch.

In future years, WS is going to have to consolidate some CUN flights onto the 763/789 size aircraft. Example: to free up one gate consolidate WS2254 into WS2310 with a 763 equipment. AC and TS both send widebodies to CUN on Saturday morning and so should WS.

AC actually has it right with AC1888 from OGG at 6am outbound at 8:30 as AC1864 to CUN. TS however overnights their A310 for TS490 to CUN, which is a problem.

gates 70/71/72/73/74/78/79 are all domestic inbound and then international or transborder outbound. WS is at least making good use of the new swing gate capacity that YYCAA has created for them.

The root cause of the problem is that WS has 14 international or transborder bound flights on the Saturday mid morning departure bank. Compounding the problem is that WS abhors early morning international or transborder departures. So for example there is no 7am LAS, LAX, PSP, or SAN flight which all have enough YYC origin traffic to sustain a flight without the benefit of connection traffic.

Some domestic to international quick turns have the aircraft well above daily utilization. CUN, SJD, LTO, FLL, MCO will fill the aircraft winter utilization requirements without starting the day in YWG, YHM, YXE, YXX. Therefore somewhere in the network are aircraft with below average utilization. Consequently a schedule adjustment to split domestic and international departures with a bus operation to shuttle pax would solve the problem and free up 2-4 gates.

Some of the above mentioned changes will be done through the introduction of Swoop. Example if LTO gets Swooped the aircraft won't be coming from YQR or another domestic destination.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by Acey

I believe WS had 2 planes on east pads Saturday morning, and AC's EWR was on a pad as well. Nail in the coffin was PSP and one other Mexico I think were on 32 and 34 and had not been towed over at 30 min to departure. So I was mistaken with that flight number, it was WS1468 that could for sure be attributed to the tow delay. Inbound was not late.

Yes WS had a 3 aircraft on remote stands along with AC584. However I can't tell where in the terminal campus the aircraft is located.

Additionally. WS1468 originated at gate 32 comming from YQU several hours before departure. WS had gate 88 well before ws1468 departure so no excuse for not moving the aircraft sooner. I suspect that WS will have learned their lesson (they are very good a learning from mistakes) and will make sure this doesn't happen again.

WS2246 PVR came from gate 34 arriving as WS242 from YEG. Same situation as with WS1468. No reason not to tow earlier.

Originally Posted by Acey

Only problem is that unless that flight is on gate 76, there is no advantage because a widebody takes 2 int'l gates. With Air Transat around, it's best to put their widebody on 76 so that when it inevitably breaks only one gate is lost. That's not even a joke... they left 1.5 hrs late off 76 yesterday.

I would consolidate CUN with a 8:45am departure. There is very little to be left behind by leaving before the 10am gate crunch. This frees up 2 gates for 10:30am departure slot. Additional gate time is freed up as the domestic arrival doesn't have to occur at a swing gate.

The alternate is to departure the early CUN flight at 7am and make this flight the RON aircraft. The later flight would then go on the same gate as the 7am CUN and arrive from a domestic destination.

[FormerWingTipper]

I don't usually defend Westjet, but why should they have to tweak their schedule? They are the customer to the Calgary Airport Authority (CAA). The CAA should provide adequate gating to their customers. If they can't handle that task with a brand new terminal since it was a poor design on their part, then they should proceed to implementing a slot control to regulate the flight schedule across all carriers.

Then the air carriers can decide if it is worth doing business with the CAA or go elseware to better run airports. Air Canada has clearly decided to go with 3 hubs (YYZ, YUL, and YVR) and mark YYC as a regional hub only. I know GTAA has an agreement with AC and YVR is making strides to market itself as partner to airlines. YUL even has made great improvements in the renovations to create an ideal connection point. Meanwhile, YYC seems to dig its heals that the airlines are the problem and point the finger every which way that suits them.