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Old 05-10-2011 | 11:43 AM
  #18  
plasticpi
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Originally Posted by aa73
Just my opinion, but almost all regional aircraft I see are always taxiing at quite a sporty pace. Now, before you all jump on me...

** HERE IS MY DISCLAIMER!!!*** I do realize I work for AA and we specialize in safe taxiing.. ... however, if you watch regional-size aircraft and compare them with bigger aircraft, the smaller ones tend to taxi a lot faster. Must have something to do with the multi leg days and wanting to get them over with. When I was at ACA and we had 7 leg days, we taxiied a lot faster than I liked just because we wanted to wrap it up.

It's also easier to maneuver a smaller aircraft than a large one... and don't forget about perspective - when you're sitting a lot lower to the ground, going slow feels REAL slow.

A notable exception to this rule is obviously SWA... and, well, their contract speaks for themselves. They aren't paid by the hour like the rest of us - and they are all part of a winning team, again unlike the rest of us.

But as a general rule - the regional guys taxi faster than the rest. It's just the way it is.

Funny side note - one time we had just landed at DFW and were northbound on Kilo... an ATR was beside us on Lima and just blew us away, we were doing a respectable (and shocking for AA!) 15kts... the CA and I were like, holy cow, can you say future SWA pilots? then DFW Ground got on the horn and told them, "Eagle XXXX, please respect AIM-suggested taxi speeds.." priceless!
I think part of this is also an age/maturity thing. I bet regional captains tend to drive their cars faster too.

I probably get razzed by my peers behind my back for taxiing slowly, but I'm paid by the flight hour, and safety and job security are more important to me than impatience. But that's just me.
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