TVCFlyer From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 47 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 1352 times:
Greetings to all A.netters. Im new to the system so please excuse me if I mess something up.
I searched the forums but could not find this topic discussed yet.
Outside every gate at the DTW McNamara terminal there is an electronic marquee (not sure of the proper term) on the terminal wall with the gate number and other info. Does anybody know what kind of information is relayed on this system? Is it designed more for the pilots, or the ground crew? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
HlywdCatft From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 5321 posts, RR: 7 Reply 1, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 1336 times:
I am not 100% sure but I am soon it is to help pilots find their gates in addition to ground control.
I believe that these existed at the old Davey Terminal later in Northwest's time there in the late 90s till it closed. If you are talking about what I am thinking, I believe I have seen pics of those at the Davey too.
Nwa757300 From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 298 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 1310 times:
The marquees relay information to ground crew and flight crews. They give information on minutes to arrival of inbound aircraft slated to use that particular gate, the aircraft number, flight number and city aircraft is arriving from. Once the aircraft is on the gate the information changes to relay minutes to departures, destination city and flight number. Both DTW and MSP have these marquees, MEM does not.
Nwa757300 From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 298 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 1273 times:
The number above the "countdown" is scheduled time of departure. If there is a mechanical/weather/atc delay and the departure time is pushed back that number reflects the change. That way everyone is kept in the loop. If the "+" changes to a "-" then the flight is late. The signs also relay information like "gate change" or "high wind alert". It's intended to keep everyone on their toes so flights get out on time and alerts them to get ready for inbound aircraft. MSP and DTW are very busy so it's helpful but with all the down time between banks in MEM I don't suppose they really need them.
Azjubilee From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 3555 posts, RR: 30 Reply 7, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 1189 times:
NWA757300 has it mostly correct. These are called RID (ramp information display) screens. They countdown to departure, so if there is 15 min left until departure it will say -15. At departure time it will show a 0 and then from there it counts up with a + sign... showing how many minutes past departure time. They have the a/c number, flt number and destination as mentioned. They are however a bit different in MSP as they are in DTW. At MSP they show the arriving flt info... in DTW they do not. So these help keep the crew as well as ramp staff situationally aware of the flight to ensure a timely departure.
Azjubilee From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 3555 posts, RR: 30 Reply 9, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 1067 times:
I could have sworn it counted down to departure with a - sign! I stand corrected then. Sorry 757300...
NWA Man From United States of America, joined Jun 1999, 1828 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 3 hours ago) and read 1025 times:
"I could have sworn it counted down to departure with a - sign! I stand corrected then. Sorry 757300..."
You're both right. Airlink counts down to departure with a "-" sign. Mainline counts down with a "+" sign. Sit on the right side of the aircraft and taxi to 30R for departure at MSP... you'll wonder why all the CRJ flights are ridiculously delayed out of the B concourse until you make the connection... like I did.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 47 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
