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...

 

You lucky.....

I'm going back to the desert tomorrow, at least it's a wet heat.

 

I love these comments on putting the numbers in by the widebody guys. You do what 8 a month maybe? Plus you have 3-4 people looking and verifying the AWABS? I just find it funny, not that anything you said was wrong.

 

GermFalcon robot is made to sanitize airliners

What a great invention. I hope Delta buys some of these.

 

We all know what you mean and where you're coming from. I think it's even odd to most of us, but you also hit on the reason why. The best months were, when as a line holder, I'd do 4 total legs (mumbai directs). Now, 8 a month sounds about right, as a line holder.

Toss the reserve component in there where numerous guys only have their quarterly sim bounces. You have to be methodical and inclusive or you risk those guys being out of the loop.

Also, we used to have a saying, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable (with your (lack of) proficiency). By that we didn't mean guys weren't capable or proficient, but all of us have done the multi leg domestic stuff and up down up down repeat. In that environment, you don't have to think about what you're doing at all. That changes massively on the long haul jets.

Every one of us gets where you're coming from. And you're right.

 

I know Timbo responded, but when I did the long haul flying, it's just at a different pace. First, you do so few legs a month, you want to make sure you get it right. Second, you're about to launch on a 8-16 hour flight. What's another minute analyzing the AWABS? Third, there are extra guys on the flight deck, literally doing nothing but waiting to help, so use the extra pairs of eyes. Four, often the longer flights are *right* at the limits for the airplane. You may have to wait a few minutes at the runway to make sure you're under max takeoff weight, for the aircraft. But not too long because then you won't have enough gas to takeoff. Finally, you are 5-12 time zones off your home time zone half the time and so you might be at a circadian low, good to go slow so you don't miss anything.

Anyway - we get paid by the minute. I just finished an ASAP for not taking our time and confirming our taxi route today. Nothing big happened, more CYA but illuminating to reflect on how we got to that point.

 

Yeah, the 330 has auto upload. I'm talking about doing the verification during push back. After you watch the cd hopefully you will understand my thought more.

Talk to you in a couple of months.

Denny

 

This may have been covered somewhere else, but what is the % of international to all mainline flying. (Montreal and Nassau count.)

 

I'm with you, I do not rush and that is my point. (And I think that's the point of the cd.) It's just not the impression I've gotten lately with the direction about gate latency and trying to shorten our taxi times lately.

Don't get me wrong, I think the extra 30 seconds I take by going step by step is well worth it and I won't change the way I do things. (Especially since I now think the cd backs me up!)

Denny

 

My post was more about what flight ops has been emphasizing lately as far as trying to cut down on taxi time/gate latency (example of putting the numbers in during push back) and the seeming incongruity it has with the current training cd.

By the way, the only reason I did it so early is I was on a trip. I hate doing it at home.

Denny