Mark ATC doesnot "own" the gate. They are controlled by the airline or airport operator. The only thing ATC can do is deny takeoff clearance ubder certain weather/visibility or braking conditions. Airports such as O'Hare have designated "holding areas" for inbound and outbound aircraft. At O'Hare one is called the "Penalty Box" I could tell you some horror stories about holding delays at ORD. ATC is not responsible for outbound taxiing aircraft untile they enter the "movement area". Al ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Panitz" <mrpanitz@xxxxxxxxx> To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 11:03 AM Subject: during snow storms why does ATC allow plane to taxi to to the taxi ways >I know that *every plane before it can more > from its gates onto the tarmac and onto one of the > taxiways they have to contact ATC > but if its snowing why does > ATC let that plane leave the gate? > is that want flow control is all about? > then nobody would be on a stuck on a plane > for 5 to 10 hours > > <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > > If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail > to: > "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the > following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE". <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".