Runner (n.) – Term used by airline personnel to identify a person running to a departure gate in an attempt to make a flight that has already departed.
It seems like everyday someone asks if the flight they are connecting to will be held for them. Missed connections are becoming more and more common with the increase in airline delays. However, just because the airline knows you are going to be late, and they do know, doesn’t mean they will hold the flight for you.
With sophisticated computer systems, the airlines always know when a passenger will not make their connection. They can see exactly where you are coming in from, what gate you are going to, and how late you will be. If you are going to be any more than possibly 5 or so minutes late, they will most likely leave without you. This is because of the cascade effect that delays have on the airline. If the next flight you are supposed to get on is delayed 30 minutes for you, that means that airplane arrives 30 minutes late at every destination throughout the day.In addition, passenger connections are considered a “controllable” delay. This means that the airline consciously delayed the flight and the delay was not outside of their control. Controllable delays are recorded differently when it comes time to report them to the government, thus impacting their official on-time status.
So next time you are going to be late, the question should be how to get to your destination the fastest if you don’t make your connection. Chances are you will already be rebooked by the airline even before you touch the ground.
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