Wierd Slots Problem

[JJP]

I wanted to change the aircraft I'm using on a route.  I attempted to only edit the aircraft for the route.  It said I had no slots available. How could I have no slots available?  I'm using the slots!  I'm just changing the type of aircraft that is using them.  Attempting to make simple changes like this to your airline while having to go through a time-consuming and problematic process is one of the reasons I lose interest in seeing my airline through to the end. 

[Sigma]

1>  This is probably the wrong Forum for a post like this.  It'd be a Bug if you think it's a unique problem, or a Feature if it's something you want improved.

2>  I do this process all the time (changing planes on routes), so it's not the simple act of changing the aircraft that you're having a problem with.  Something else has changed.

3>  The plane you put on was likely slower/faster than the one you had.  This means that it arrives and therefore departs at a different time then you originally had scheduled.  Just go through the route and see where the "0" is at on the slots.  Then play with the turnaround times until you get a slot open there.  Usually, the replacement planes are faster (since newer is faster usually), so it just means slowing the time down by 5 minutes (i.e. increase turnaround time which is good).  But if you put on a plane that is actually slower you might have to decrease turnaround time by 5 minutes, which may or may not cause problems for you depending on how much of a cushion you've left yourself.

[JJP]

Good reply, Sigma.  Thank you for your help.

Perhaps the main point is that the whole process is time-consuming and laborious.  I just spent over an hour simply shifting 3 707 schedules to my new 727s and setting up a couple new routes.  That's crazy.  I understand that the detail of this game may make it difficult to simplify the process, but I'm sure something could be done.  Perhaps I should come up with an idea and present it.

Thanks again.

[Sami]

If there are no slots, then there are no slots.

If you change the flight times so that the slots move to another hour, or move enough inside the same hour (more than 20 mins shift, or around like that?), then you require a new slot for that.

[JJP]

Thanks, Sami.  I think Sigma helped me understand what had happened.  My plane was landing at a different time because it was a different plane.  Hmmm . . . I wonder if there is some simpler ways we can do scheduling . . . will have to mull it over.

[broadbander]

I am having the same issue, trying to replace a Boeing 737-400 with a 737-800 running EGCC-EGLL:

Route as it currently is using B734:


What happens when I try to switch to B738:


No changes to departure, arrival or turnaround times - just trying to swap aircraft. 

[Sigma]

This one's different because it's telling you that there's no slots, but it also is clearly telling you that there ARE slots.  There's no zeroes anywhere on the time chart.

Report that in the Bug Forum so it's in the right place for sami to see and collate for fixing.