Airport.

[Roger Mexico]

5 minutes ago, Happier diner said:

Are the DOI accountable for baggage handling? 

Technically not.  Ground-handling functions such as baggage handling and similar services are subcontracted by the airlines.  That's why at larger airports different baggage handlers do different planes.  Technically it's the same as check-in staff etc.

Of course in a smaller airport the only way for such services to be economically provided may be for the Airport itself to employ them, rather than have each airline have its own.  That's what used to happen at Ronaldsway but the functions were then contracted to a particular operator, Menzies.  But the actual services are as per their contract with the airlines (not that the latter have a choice).

[Happier diner]

6 minutes ago, Roger Mexico said:

Technically not.  Ground-handling functions such as baggage handling and similar services are subcontracted by the airlines.  That's why at larger airports different baggage handlers do different planes.  Technically it's the same as check-in staff etc.

Of course in a smaller airport the only way for such services to be economically provided may be for the Airport itself to employ them, rather than have each airline have its own.  That's what used to happen at Ronaldsway but the functions were then contracted to a particular operator, Menzies.  But the actual services are as per their contract with the airlines (not that the latter have a choice).

So now I am totally confused. So sleasyjet (The Airline) are blaming the ground staff for delays. Ground staff that they employ?

[TheTeapot]

There was a thread on here years ago where people were kicking off about the baggage handlers, then directly employed, getting well paid.

So needless to say, it got contracted out, savings were basically zero, the staff are on minimum wage, there is a permanent recruitment advert due to high turnover, and the level of service collapsed.

 

[Roger Mexico]

13 minutes ago, Happier diner said:

So now I am totally confused. So sleasyjet (The Airline) are blaming the ground staff for delays. Ground staff that they employ?

Menzies employ the ground staff, but the service is provided directly to the airline.  Or not as the case may be.

7 minutes ago, TheTeapot said:

So needless to say, it got contracted out, savings were basically zero, the staff are on minimum wage, there is a permanent recruitment advert due to high turnover, and the level of service collapsed.

Is there anything more characteristic of modern life than people complaining about the consequences of something they have demanded?

[Happier diner]

25 minutes ago, Roger Mexico said:

Menzies employ the ground staff, but the service is provided directly to the airline.  Or not as the case may be.

Is there anything more characteristic of modern life than people complaining about the consequences of something they have demanded?

Yeah. But who employs Menzies? 

[Non-Believer]

53 minutes ago, TheTeapot said:

There was a thread on here years ago where people were kicking off about the baggage handlers, then directly employed, getting well paid.

So needless to say, it got contracted out, savings were basically zero, the staff are on minimum wage, there is a permanent recruitment advert due to high turnover, and the level of service collapsed.

Yes indeed. There was huge public concern at the costs of running the airport, publicised by the "management" itself who claimed that it cost £3M+ a year more than it should.....so naturally the "management" (note inverted commas) acted upon this vitriol (some of which was exemplified on these boards) by making cuts to the baggage handling staff and contracting it out....

If only those posters had been able to travel forward in time and then look back at where it has transpired that the money was really being wasted... including on that "management". And the politicos overseeing it.

Edited June 20, 2023 by Non-Believer
Typo

[WTF]

2 hours ago, madmanxpilot said:

Unlike previous incumbents of the post, he’s not a qualified civilian controller, and therefore cannot control aircraft here.

and not it seems capable of transitioning into one for some reason.

[WTF]

26 minutes ago, Happier diner said:

Yeah. But who employs Menzies? 

Womenzies to fuck them.

[Ontheinside]

Newby to NOTAMs. If the airport closes at 20:45 (19:45 GMT) then particularly an Easyjet scheduled arrival 20:15 and departure return 20:45 is never going to happen given aircraft movements are not allowed within 15 minutes of close?

[madmanxpilot]

4 minutes ago, Ontheinside said:

Newby to NOTAMs. If the airport closes at 20:45 (19:45 GMT) then particularly an Easyjet scheduled arrival 20:15 and departure return 20:45 is never going to happen given aircraft movements are not allowed within 15 minutes of close?

A very astute question.

The closure times detailed in the NOTAM are there simply to ensure compliance with the requirement for ATC breaks throughout the day. I would suspect (although I am not certain of the fact) that at the aerodrome published closing time there will still be staff on duty for a short period to cater the emergency return the 15 minute buffer is for. In fact, if you look at the NOTAM, the last period of opening is 1820 -1945, some 20 minutes less than all of the others, so that sort of confirms my line of thought.

There is the seasonal extension, which sort of makes the point moot anyway.

[madmanxpilot]

IOM Airport page forewarning of disruption tonight because of weather in the south of the UK. 
 

The METAR says PROB30 TEMPO for heavy showers - that officially means they are so unlikely to happen you don’t have to consider them for planning purposes.

I cannot for one moment believe that is the actual reason.

[Roger Mexico]

4 minutes ago, madmanxpilot said:

IOM Airport page forewarning of disruption tonight because of weather in the south of the UK. 
 

The METAR says PROB30 TEMPO for heavy showers - that officially means they are so unlikely to happen you don’t have to consider them for planning purposes.

I cannot for one moment believe that is the actual reason.

Met Office is forecasting widespread thunderstorms, which are unpredictable as to where they actually happen:

And of course, even if linked airports aren't affected, the journey might be.  Is this saying anything more than 'expect the unexpected'.

[Utah 01]

This easyjet (and sleazy is now more apt than ever) fiasco has now moved beyond farce and it's time we saw some piano-wire string-up of those responsible.

Mrs Utah's return flight, having already having to fork out £250+ to get to London on Friday after Thursday's cancellation, has been cancelled.

The weather excuse is utter crap and if the airport is using that to cover their incompetence they guilty are lying through their teeth.  Thunderstorms are part and parcel of aviation; since when has flying ground to a halt because there 'might' be some thinderstorm around? 

It seems to me that easyjet operations, and it would be a decision taken quite a way up its food chain, have landed on a nominal time of accrued delay to the IOM aircraft during its previous sectors, over which no attempt will be made to operate the flight - all filed under 'too difficult' and sod the passengers.

This is classic behavior when any organisation has a monopoly and becomes arrogant enough to believe it is indefensible.  I'll say it again.  easyjet should be kicked off the Island and who will replace it?  At the moment it wouldn't matter one iota because the 'service' they pretend to provide is a joke.

Edited June 20, 2023 by Utah 01

[The Phantom]

2 hours ago, Nellie said:

Gatwick cancelled again tonight, without explanation. I think they have barely operated 50% of the planned schedule in the last week. 

Somewhat ironically bearing in mind the current airport clusterfuck, there is a big Aviation Conference being held tomorrow. 

Admittedly it's mainly angled towards Private Jets, but I'd suspect there were due to be a lot of attendees on that flight tonight and it will make the Isle look super competent and awesome.   

https://www.iomaviationconference.com/

[Ringy Rose]

7 hours ago, Two-lane said:

The airport management manages the airport - including the sub-contractors.

 

Menzies aren’t a sub-contractor of the airport. They’re a sub-contractor of the airlines.

As others have said, at big airports you will have several ground handling companies, and the airline will choose them. Here there’s just Menzies.

As for why, everyone bitched (and continues to bitch) about “too many public sector staff”. Departments were told to cut headcount. So, hey presto, the ground handling crew are no longer public sector staff.