Originally Posted by
Timbo
Pushback is the one time the airplane is moving but you are NOT in direct control of it. You can't even hit the brakes, you might break something expensive. Might as well put the data into the box, since you are along for the ride anyway.
BUT, I always have the F/O do it, since I'm the one talking to the tug driver and I like to keep my eyes outside, just to see what's going on. But he can't be doing that AND starting an engine at the same time, so do one or the other, but not both at the same time.
We do get paid by the minute, what's the hurry? If you rush, you will make mistakes and/or miss something... at least that's what I tell my wife when she wants me to mow the lawn.
Once during pushback in FLL from one of the deep inside gates, I started getting this really strange feeling, like the hair on the back of your neck standing up feeling. I noticed we were deviating away from the yellow line, so I looked at the wing walker on my side who was frantically signalling for an emergency stop. The tug driver, either couldn't see him, or wasn't looking. we were flashing the taxi lights, ground call, and yelling of the interphone to stop. When we got things under control and explained to him what almost happened, he just laughed. our wing tip came within a foot or two of the other planes stab. had we both been heads down, we would have gone back to the hotel to fill out ASAP reports...