Tarmac Delays

GoJet Airlines SOC Master Plan

Downloadable version can be found here.

You can locate the DOT approved GoJet Airlines’ Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan at http://www.gojetairlines.com.

For all domestic flights, GoJet Airlines (GoJet) will provide passengers on a flight experiencing a tarmac delay at a U.S. airport the opportunity to deplane before the tarmac delay exceeds three hours in duration, subject to the exceptions below.  For international flights, GoJet will provide passengers on a flight experiencing a tarmac delay at a U.S. airport the opportunity to deplane before the tarmac delay exceeds four hours in duration, subject to the exceptions below.

Passengers shall have the option to deplane an aircraft when there is an excessive tarmac delay with the following exceptions:

1. For departing flights, when the flight begins to return to a suitable disembarkation point no later than three hours (for domestic flights) and four hours (for international flights) after the main aircraft door is closed to deplane passengers. If the aircraft is in an area that is not under the carrier’s control, the aircraft has begun to return to a suitable disembarkation point when a request is made to the Federal Aviation Administration control tower, airport authority, or other relevant authority directing the aircraft’s operations. If the aircraft is in an area under the carrier’s control, the aircraft has begun to return to a suitable disembarkation point when the pilot begins maneuvering the aircraft to a suitable disembarkation point; or
2. The pilot-in-command determines that deplaning passengers at a suitable disembarkation point would jeopardize passenger safety or security, or there is a safety-related or security-related reason the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or
3. Air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to a suitable disembarkation point to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.

This plan ensures that GoJet will meet or exceed specified guidance as it pertains to provisioning, as follows: adequate food and potable water no later than two hours if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.  During the tarmac delay, GoJet will provide operable lavatory facilities, adequate medical attention if needed, comfortable cabin temperature, and other customer comfort needs.

GoJet will ensure the comfort and safety of our passengers in the following ways:

• GoJet will notify passengers on board the aircraft during a tarmac delay regarding the status of the delay when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes and thereafter may provide subsequent updates, including flight status changes, including the reasons for the tarmac delay, if known.
• For all departing flights and diversions, each time the opportunity for passengers to deplane exists at a suitable disembarkation point, GoJet will timely notify the passengers on board the aircraft of the opportunity to deplane.
• Allow customers to use electronic devices and move freely about the cabin in accordance with safety and federal guidelines.
• Provide adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the start of the tarmac delay, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations do not allow such service.
• Provide adequate medical attention as necessary
• Flight Attendant will ensure the aircraft lavatory remains operable and clean.
• Crew will monitor and maintain comfortable cabin temperatures.

GoJet has sufficient resources to implement this plan, and in combination with United, GoJet will coordinate this plan with airport authorities, (including terminal facility operators where applicable) at each U.S. large hub airport, medium hub airport, small hub airport, and non-hub airport that the carrier serves, as well as its regular U.S. diversion airports and, if required, will work with airport authorities and other airlines to share facilities and make gates available in an emergency.

In coordination with United, GoJet will coordinate this plan with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Hubs, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at each airport that GoJet regularly uses, including diversion airports.

The Canada Transportation Act – Air Passenger Protection applies to aircraft on Canadian soil where a flight is delayed on the tarmac with the doors of the aircraft closed for take-off or after the flight has landed with a three-hour tarmac delay requiring a suitable disembarkation location. If the Pilot in Command’s reasonable opinion is that takeoff will occur no later than 3 hours and 45 minutes after the start of the long taxi delay, there is a one-time 45-minute extension to the rule.