Originally Posted by
holle8e3
That's kind of a cynical way to add to the conversation. The ACARS software is not right. It needs fixed. Why even have PDCs? What's the purpose? Using your argument of 'it's not so bad to call clearance' then all airlines should not use a digital PDC system. That would be a mess. Have you ever been number 14 on clearance delivery frequency waiting for your turn?
People aren't here complaining about how arduous it is to call for a clearance. Imagine if the FO could send, receive and print every time, most importantly when it ends up seconds within D-0? The FO could then have extra time (even if it's seconds) to help load the flight plan. Be positive, shave off seconds where ever possible, be part of the solution, not the problem. Even regardless of D-0. If you call for push 10 seconds sooner, maybe you won't have to wait for 3 into the alley, one of which is a tow-in. That then saves 6 minutes, which allows the return flight to actually make up some time. And get back to the schedule. And that means the gates are available... Ect ect ect.
Seconds count boys and girls. The sooner we use that mentality, the sooner we can start to win flying again.
I understand your point of something being broken, yes its annoying when the flight number sticks and you can't get a PDC. But if you are on a quick turn (which always seems to be the case in LAX), don't you think its quicker to call for a clearance rather than coordinate a ground reset with mx (which the QRH tells you to do)? The airplane will be powered down and back up eventually.
People writing up dumb ****** like that on a quick turn is what is slowing us down. I guarantee if you look hard enough in the airplane you can find one stupid thing to write up at any given time. If you are truly thinking about the big picture tell your FO that is whining about the stupid clearance or printer not printing to call clearance and write down the damn ATIS