Originally Posted by
The Chow
Clamp,
If you can't see the wing tips how would the captain know there wasn't enough clearance? Experience?
More or less, yes. There are references given to be able to judge wingtip clearance. When in doubt, stop.
We had a 737 high five another 737's horizontal stab recently with its winglet. Can't explain that one away... I saw the offending 737 just before he entered the ramp. Let's just say that rushing rarely has a good outcome.