The holding pattern

Geek's guide to holding pattern

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain from the flight deck. We are around 200 kms away from our destination and unfortunately we've been asked by ATC to enter a holding pattern due to congestion and expect to circle for another 20-25 minutes...We are 8th in line for landing and expect to touch down by 30 mins past 1. If there is any further delay, I shall get back...."

Sounds familiar?

For folks who may not have experienced a holding pattern during their flights, it's a routine followed by pilots on advice of ATC due to either congestion, technical reasons or bad weather at the destination airport. During this routine, the flight basically circles around a given position without moving ahead towards the destination till the ATC gives clearance to land. Up until this point, the flight has taken off and cruised along normally.

As is my habit, I tried personalizing this concept to see if I am actually experiencing a 'holding pattern' OR have I maybe just come out of one... As they say when there is a whirlwind of thoughts, pen them down and that's what I tried doing. I went 1 step further and applied the school-favourite "True or False" to each of the statements [True --> Applicable to me , False --> NA to me]

Characteristics of a holding pattern:

1) Starting with the most obvious- you are stagnant , don't move ahead towards your destination, yet consume fuel - ["TRUE"- I had stagnated and felt drained at the thought of another day , another routine]

2) It is a landing / approach routine when you are quite close to your destination than you think - [ "FALSE" - I am unsure if I see the destination clearly, might need to keep circling for a wee bit more]

3) The zone where you are holding is typically a 'safe-zone' away from the inclement weather or congestion - [ "TRUE" - It's a detour from the "known" path but with support from many]

4) In most cases you are not alone - there would be multiple planes below or above you in this zone - [ "TRUE" - I know for a fact that there are many who patiently circled when the path ahead was congested or still are circling waiting for the breakout point]

5) Your fate is in the hands of ATC - you cannot decide when to break out of the holding pattern - ["FALSE" - And this one is the most important to internalize- the control is totally in your hands]

6) Once you are low on fuel, is when you can no longer HOLD and need to decide an alternate destination - [Tricky one....its TRUE as well as FALSE- Fuel was low, but instead of me, the ATC decided to push and now that I am looking for an alternate destination, it's too soon to give up ]

Multiple holdings

And with this exercise, I now can visualize the pattern I am in- I foresee multiple holding patterns - some long, some short , possible diversions and all of this, till I find the right destination. Well, the only thing I need to watch for is to NOT let my fuel run out and ensure that I double up as both- the pilot as well as the ATC and eventually LAND!!!

" Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking- I truly apologise for the delay in arrival into our destination- enroute weather and congestion was far worse than I anticipated...however, wish you a pleasant stay - Once again, sorry for the delay"!

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