Lady and the Ramp pushes back an Airbus A321 on an endgate at Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix, Arizona. I wasn’t very happy with this push. Can you tell why?
WE all have bad days. I've had my share as an Air Force NCO ground maintenance crew doing push backs on C-5's and other big airframes. From what I see when you progressed past the 1st hold line you oversteered the nose gear just a bit which pushed the mains off line that resulted in the nose gear not resting on the centerline. This pushed the port wing too far left into potentially striking ground equipment. Thankfully, there wasn't anything nearby. BUT you saved it by repositioning the tug and tow bar near the centerline giving the pilot a good view for taxing. You're doing a great job !
Any pushback you can still fly the aircraft is a great one. I had a Captain tell me, "Just get me close to the center line, I get paid the big bucks to do the rest".
I've always been told, if you get it out in one piece, facing the right way with the main gear either side of the centre line, then it's a good push. We just can't help aiming for the perfection of dropping the nose gear right on the centre line as well, though, can we? 😊
I know you enjoy your job, and you're very good at it, just because you care enough to not be perfectly happy with that one! Well done, love your videos!
Just recently subbed into your channel. Kuddos for a video showing the ups and downs of ramp life. On the bright side, no airplanes got bent and nobody got hurt. Looking forward to the rest of your videos.
Nothing went wrong , not easy coming off an end gate and finding that line . Did it perfect . Most importantly you took your time and didn’t panic. Good job 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Did a Pushback Once where the Captain (British Airways) Asked Dispatch if I had been Drinking Given that it was Xmas, it was just a Bad Push and I don't Drink Alcohol. Some of us used to Chase the Line but most of us just used to get it out Safely without Clouting Anything.
Btw. Decades ago. Early 1970’s My dad was an executive with a solid waste management company that would eventually be merged with Waste Management. I remember a tense conversation he had on the phone where as “allegedly’ one of they’re front load garbage truck drivers was emptying a dumpster somewhere in proximity of parked commercial jets and was accused of sticking the forks of the truck literally into part of the fuselage of one of them…. It gets better. The damage wasn’t discovered till the plane had left the airport and reached its destination where the damage was discovered …No video existed showing it happening but the measurements pretty much pointed to it.. I’m sure many people ended up on the hot seat on that one. I know my dad did…
Oh no!! 😧 that is crazy! Things have changed a lot since then! Maybe the redundancy that we have now, is from similar situations like that. That is cool that you remembered that! Good memory :)
I don't know what went wrong, my ramp awareness isn't that good, but when I heard the engines spin up at the end, I was thinking "Hold on a minute, Captain".
I was having trouble lining up a 320 on the centerline once at KPVD and kept trying to get it exactly right when the captain finally said "We're going to have to stop the puchback soon, we haven't been cleared into Boston's airspace yet"....
Yes! I try to split the main gear wheels over the center line. And usually need to start coming back around when the outer wheel starts to go over the line. But obviously I did it too late! :) I will post another video out of an interior gate that is close to the terminal. I definitely need my wing walkers to show me the depth of the plane. The tail is what I am most concerned about in that video :)
Yeah No Still great job! When I worked for COEX I could never Push because I have Hand to 👁️ Eye coordination issues! Everyone understood and made Reasonable Accommodations! Just one of many reasons it was a great company to work for!
Like backing a really large trailer except facing rearward. Fascinating to watch. I know when I’m backing a trailer my total focus is on the inner trailer tire, so I’d imagine the main landing gear would be something to watch, although I could see how the tail would be a consideration too. Very cool process.
Just read the comment about you not being able to see the tail of the aircraft, hence the importance of wing walkers. You always know where the tail of the aircraft is by glancing down the centerline of the fuselage while you scan the areas left, right and center. Again, you're doing a great job !
Yes! I still am very aware of the engines! You start getting accustomed to listening to them as well. You can hear when they spool down or when they start up! There are lots if different types of noises on ramp…but you have to atune your ears to the engines! Develop good habits early on and that will keep you safe! Good luck out there! It is a great job! Stay safe! ✈️😁
@@ladyandtheramp Thank you for the reply! It relaxes me when someone else is as anxious about it, I know safety comes first but cant help but be a little nervous lol
Just bring constructive and being an experienced tug driver , it did look slightly too quick. Once the push goes wrong, it's very difficult to get back, especially if surrounding stands are restricted for movements.
It is very cool. Question: why is there a person accompanying the tip of the wing? Not all airports do. Here in Belo Horizonte, for example, there is no such professional. Thanks.
It is procedure with our airline that there must be 2 wing walkers present. To make sure the aircraft does not hit anything and that others are aware that the aircraft is moving. The wing walkers are the eyes 👀 of the push tug driver that cannot see the tail of the aircraft. If the driver gets too close to other aircraft’s, buildings, equipment, etc…the wingwalker will place a “x” with their wands to tell the driver to stop ✋ the push.
You are correct. The bolts or sheer pins can break. We have such mild winters, that is typically not a concern for us :) I can’t imagine being outside in the Netherlands during winter 🥶
I had to watch it twice. The first time I didn’t see your helper pull the steering pin. Could you have just backed up to center the plane instead of making that second turn and taking the plane deeper into the tighter area. I’m a pushback operator for UPS
@@ladyandtheramp Normally we just push out and make one turn, left or right to the line, but I’ve been ask to push up to a half mile between a remote ramp we use and our main operations ramp
You are supposed to disconnect the tow bar from the tug first and then disconnect it from the nose gear to avoid any abrupt swing of the tow bar that can cause injury to the ground staff or damage to aircraft or equipment.
WE all have bad days. I've had my share as an Air Force NCO ground maintenance crew doing push backs on C-5's and other big airframes. From what I see when you progressed past the 1st hold line you oversteered the nose gear just a bit which pushed the mains off line that resulted in the nose gear not resting on the centerline. This pushed the port wing too far left into potentially striking ground equipment. Thankfully, there wasn't anything nearby. BUT you saved it by repositioning the tug and tow bar near the centerline giving the pilot a good view for taxing. You're doing a great job !
Yes! Exactly I oversteered…coming around that big almost u turn you have to make! Thank you for the tips!! 😁👍
Any pushback you can still fly the aircraft is a great one. I had a Captain tell me, "Just get me close to the center line, I get paid the big bucks to do the rest".
Haha!! Yes! That is context! No aircraft damage, and everyone safe = a good push! Thank you! 😁
I've always been told, if you get it out in one piece, facing the right way with the main gear either side of the centre line, then it's a good push. We just can't help aiming for the perfection of dropping the nose gear right on the centre line as well, though, can we? 😊
If I didn’t know any better but the pushback vehicle has a 71 series Detroit Diesel.
Oh …I bet you are correct! 😁👍
You did a GREAT job! Sky Harbor is an awesome airport!
Thank you so much! We love PHX 😁
Nice! Never seen a pushback from this angle. Thanks for the video!
@SpadesPlusYT58 Actually I don't. 😀
From Santa Ana California!!…I love the enthusiasm that you you wish them have a good flight!🎉🤚👍🏻💐
Every presentation is very clear and interesting. I really like to see.
Thank you very much 😁
Hi from the uk, thanks for the informative videos, and the sunny weather 😊
Thanks for watching!
I know you enjoy your job, and you're very good at it, just because you care enough to not be perfectly happy with that one! Well done, love your videos!
Thank you! 😁
Just recently subbed into your channel. Kuddos for a video showing the ups and downs of ramp life. On the bright side, no airplanes got bent and nobody got hurt. Looking forward to the rest of your videos.
Thank you for the subscription! And watching 😁
Nothing went wrong , not easy coming off an end gate and finding that line . Did it perfect . Most importantly you took your time and didn’t panic. Good job 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Oh thank you!! I have learned to never rush. Try to keep the heart rate down :)
Excellent push and you got the centerline eventually! Keep up the good work!👍
Thank you 😁
Did a Pushback Once where the Captain (British Airways) Asked Dispatch if I had been Drinking Given that it was Xmas, it was just a Bad Push and I don't Drink Alcohol. Some of us used to Chase the Line but most of us just used to get it out Safely without Clouting Anything.
That is exactly what all my trainers said.. get out there safely with no aircraft damage and everyone is safe…that is a good push!
Btw. Decades ago. Early 1970’s My dad was an executive with a solid waste management company that would eventually be merged with Waste Management. I remember a tense conversation he had on the phone where as “allegedly’ one of they’re front load garbage truck drivers was emptying a dumpster somewhere in proximity of parked commercial jets and was accused of sticking the forks of the truck literally into part of the fuselage of one of them…. It gets better. The damage wasn’t discovered till the plane had left the airport and reached its destination where the damage was discovered …No video existed showing it happening but the measurements pretty much pointed to it.. I’m sure many people ended up on the hot seat on that one. I know my dad did…
Oh no!! 😧 that is crazy! Things have changed a lot since then! Maybe the redundancy that we have now, is from similar situations like that.
That is cool that you remembered that! Good memory :)
@@ladyandtheramp if I had to guess if there are garbage Cans inside the perimeter then the service vehicles probably have a driver and a spotter.
That is what they have now 👍
You did it better than i ever could, great job 👏
I don't know what went wrong, my ramp awareness isn't that good, but when I heard the engines spin up at the end, I was thinking "Hold on a minute, Captain".
I was having trouble lining up a 320 on the centerline once at KPVD and kept trying to get it exactly right when the captain finally said "We're going to have to stop the puchback soon, we haven't been cleared into Boston's airspace yet"....
😂😂
In my experience, it's not where you want the nose wheel to go, it's where you want the tail to go. The nose wheel will always follow the tail.
Yes! I try to split the main gear wheels over the center line. And usually need to start coming back around when the outer wheel starts to go over the line. But obviously I did it too late! :)
I will post another video out of an interior gate that is close to the terminal. I definitely need my wing walkers to show me the depth of the plane. The tail is what I am most concerned about in that video :)
Yeah No Still great job! When I worked for COEX I could never Push because I have Hand to 👁️ Eye coordination issues! Everyone understood and made Reasonable Accommodations! Just one of many reasons it was a great company to work for!
Great point
Like backing a really large trailer except facing rearward. Fascinating to watch. I know when I’m backing a trailer my total focus is on the inner trailer tire, so I’d imagine the main landing gear would be something to watch, although I could see how the tail would be a consideration too. Very cool process.
Thank you so much! Yes! You are correct! It is like pushing a trailer in reverse. And watching the main gear is super helpful!
You did an awesome job!
Thank you so much!😁
Just read the comment about you not being able to see the tail of the aircraft, hence the importance of wing walkers. You always know where the tail of the aircraft is by glancing down the centerline of the fuselage while you scan the areas left, right and center. Again, you're doing a great job !
nice recovery!
Thank you! 😁
i just started with Frontier as a Ramp Agent and yesterday was my first day, but when you started were you nervous about being near the jet engines?
Yes! I still am very aware of the engines! You start getting accustomed to listening to them as well. You can hear when they spool down or when they start up! There are lots if different types of noises on ramp…but you have to atune your ears to the engines! Develop good habits early on and that will keep you safe! Good luck out there! It is a great job! Stay safe!
✈️😁
@@ladyandtheramp Thank you for the reply! It relaxes me when someone else is as anxious about it, I know safety comes first but cant help but be a little nervous lol
The taxiway is completely empty I don't think you should worry about not being dead centre on the line
That is what one of my coworkers said. Thank you 😊
Nice recovery I hated when I did that in LAX U DO NOT HAVE RECOVERY ROOM MUST BE ON THE LINE EVERY TIME GATES ARE SOOO TIGHT
Oh that would be stressful
You are excellent-I’ve watched your tug driving :-) When you said horribly wrong I imagined the nose gear had been twisted off its mounts :-)
Thank you! I do like getting it right on the line! 😁
Just bring constructive and being an experienced tug driver , it did look slightly too quick. Once the push goes wrong, it's very difficult to get back, especially if surrounding stands are restricted for movements.
So true! I appreciate your insights! 😁
Don't be so hard on yourself. You were only off by a couple of feet. I would hope the pilot can compensate that by possibly turning the wheel.
Oh thanks!! You are right, typically they can correct it!
It is very cool. Question: why is there a person accompanying the tip of the wing? Not all airports do. Here in Belo Horizonte, for example, there is no such professional. Thanks.
It is procedure with our airline that there must be 2 wing walkers present. To make sure the aircraft does not hit anything and that others are aware that the aircraft is moving. The wing walkers are the eyes 👀 of the push tug driver that cannot see the tail of the aircraft. If the driver gets too close to other aircraft’s, buildings, equipment, etc…the wingwalker will place a “x” with their wands to tell the driver to stop ✋ the push.
Ok... Thank you very much for the information, I found it very interesting. Congratulations on the excellent work you do.
How would we mere mortals know what went wrong here?
😂😂 i love your phrasing!
Notice how the gear is taller on an Airbus 320/321 series than a Boeing 737
Yes! You are correct! 😁 that is why it is easier to push an Airbus because you can see the main gear always :)
Well done ma’am🫡 watching you from Poland🇵🇱
😁👋
How many days a week do you work?
A typical week is 5 days.
@@ladyandtheramp ok
Jessica is not doing too badly.... 😁😉
😁thank you!
Follow the yellow line during push back difficult ?
Yes, it can be!! Lots of factors come into play :)
@@ladyandtheramp hy lady, i know the towing bar have some breaking bolts. Are you than more carefully in the winter time. I am from the netherlands.
You are correct. The bolts or sheer pins can break. We have such mild winters, that is typically not a concern for us :) I can’t imagine being outside in the Netherlands during winter 🥶
Looks like you get a lot of exercise.
Yes we do! 😁💪
I can't even push a plane. So, compared to me it was perfect 😁
😂thank you!
@@ladyandtheramp you're welcome!
I had to watch it twice. The first time I didn’t see your helper pull the steering pin.
Could you have just backed up to center the plane instead of making that second turn and taking the plane deeper into the tighter area.
I’m a pushback operator for UPS
Oh that is definitely a possibility! With UPS, do you have to push to a certain spot? Or on a line?
@@ladyandtheramp Normally we just push out and make one turn, left or right to the line, but I’ve been ask to push up to a half mile between a remote ramp we use and our main operations ramp
Use the lower beacon as a guide, keep the beacon over the center line and the aircraft will be properly centered on the taxiway. 👌
Great tip! I will try that!
If you call something 1 meter apart (at the airport), then it is OK with me...
Regards from DK
😂😁👋
😍
👍👍👍👍🤝🏽🤝🏽
Tresbonreportagehenri🎉😊😊
3:16 what is this wire that he disconnect??
That is the communication cord that allows me to talk with the pilot. :) it connects my headset to the flight deck communications
A Good Push is not getting the plane hit.
Can we message you?
Jessica i don't see how y'all work out there in the summer time 🥵🔥❤✈
I know…it had been nice weather…but we all know what is coming 🔥
You are supposed to disconnect the tow bar from the tug first and then disconnect it from the nose gear to avoid any abrupt swing of the tow bar that can cause injury to the ground staff or damage to aircraft or equipment.
That's a company specific policy. Not every airline disconnects the pushback from the towbar first.
Hmmmm...?
Number 2 side wing walker? Careful with these videos……You never know whose watching 🙅♂️
Woman driver enough said.