Penalty Box?

[Wing Nut]

Looking at the airport diagram for O'hare, there is a small section, just outside of the main area of gates called the Penalty Box.  Do you really get put there for getting in trouble or what?  What is this for?

[Craig.]

maybe if you miss your takeoff slot.
gotta wait till they find you a new one

[Ronnie]

[quote]Looking at the airport diagram for O'hare, there is a small section, just outside of the main area of gates called the Penalty Box.

[BFMF]

Never heard of that before. Do commercial flights ever get sent to the Penalty box?

[Wing Nut]

Pretty inconvenient for the passengers isn't it?  You'd think they would have a little consideration for them.  >:(

[Craig.]

problem is, O'hare being so busy controllers cant afford mistakes and then have to deal with them right away. However in the same line of thought it is easy for pilots who are new or have not been there before to make mistakes in a place like that. And it is really inconvenient for passengers, delays cost airlines money, petty controller having a bad day could cost an airline thousands of dollars because of a small mistake.

[Ronnie]

delays cost airlines money

True, BUT, it is good for the pilots as far as pay is concerned; they get payed by the hour and as long as that parking brake is off, they are getting paid for it, whether they are sitting in the penalty box or on final approach to an airport.