The very first push I ever did was a 747-200 at northwest airlines in the late 90s and it was an open tug, I was almost wetting my pants for misjudging the angle but my trainer at the times said if you think something is wrong stop gently and reset and observe what you did wrong and correct it, nobody is pushing you son remember you are in control. I used this method to train others on the ramp now and it really is a great concept to use especially for new rampies.
I was expecting an exceeded turn radius to snap the shear pin on the tow bar. He didn't do too bad for the first solo push. My first one was pretty humbling, but countless pushbacks later I'm better at parking a 747 than my own car.
I love the way the guy holding the cable (you can see his shadow for first 1½ mins) makes it look like he's walking the plane on a leash, like a giant dog!
My first push back was on a Continental Airlines MD80 25 years ago. As the tug driver, ALWAYS confirm that the proper hydraulics bypass pin was installed on the nose gear. The supervisor put a B737 pin in the nose gear, I didn't check it prior to push and when I began the pushback and started to turn, the nose gear would not turn and the tow bar sheer pin snapped and it sounded like an explosion. Thankfully, the sheer pin did its job, the supervisor disconnected the bar and bypass pin from the nose gear and told the captain what happened. Captain reengaged nose wheel steering, confirmed full movement of the gear, determined all was OK and he was far enough from the gate to taxi and off to Newark he went. That was my first lesson in the concept of the bypass pin.
The leaking fluids is water coming out from the A/C units when the engines are turned out. The problem had something to do with hydraulics. Not leaking hydraulics but something else
Airports here in New Zealand, mainly Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, use a mobile unit operated by a remote device which hooks up to the main gear and the pilots use their nosewheel steering to make the turns while the remote unit tows the aircraft backwards from the gate. Cool thing to watch.
Yeah. One time I was on a KLM MD-11 and our plane was pushing back in San Francisco and clearly it was using a towbar and the driver was new [like this one], and we nearly collided with another plane. I feel sorry for your friend and I hope he gained more experience in the past 13 months. Once again, great video as well. :)
Frightening push for sure. I've trained people on pushing for about three years now. Some are good though, and almost immediately get a grasp on it, but then some people make you pray for your life. And then you have those who are about to wreck the gear, so you have to pull the wheel from them to correct it quickly and they fight you on it. Good times
Thanks for watching! Yea the towless tugs are very rare at Dulles and I believe only United has one. So we all have to deal with the bar. I always wanted to try out a towless pushback though!
32 years of flying passenger aircraft, and I've had worse pushes than this! WAY worse. And yes, after one of those pushes from hell, I had a mechanical failure and had to be towed back onto the stand. Nightmare for all concerned - especially if it becomes questionable to continue the flight because you know that to do so will take you into contingency - and thats for your primary - alterantes would run you right to the wire.
I also thought this happened in S.A since of course I did not read the description, but then I saw your mention of the Mobile Lounges not being able to go by because of the wings and saw the wheels go by when the plane moved forward and then figured it was my home international airport, So Dulles is the only airport in the world to have those huge buses? Anyway, that was an eventful day.
Quick question from someone not involved with ramp ops: Why didn't the headset crew say something? They can stop the PB at any moment, can't they? They are supposed to be the safety guard here, right?
Hi Rubin, great video to highlight the difficulties of driving a tug, especially one that with a double ‘pivots’ at the nose gear and the towbar end at the tug. Often, many managers will just expect the drivers to do a ‘good job’ like driving a car without understanding the challenges. I assume you are an expert with these airplane tugs?
I had to push onto a taxiway with no center line daily. First time I thought I nailed it until they disconnected the tow bar and I had a chance to actually look at the plane with the main gear almost touching the grass. SMH
I feel bad for the guy. I know I would've blushed after all the fails. I admire him for trying though. Remember: The only way to get better is to practice, repeatedly 'till it (the proper push-back procedure) becomes systematic.
There’s only one way your going to learn and thats by making little mistakes 😂. Its how we learn from our mistakes that makes it on Ramp. Keep up the good work SwissportAucklandNewZealand
This is not really the fault of the driver. It's the fault of whoever turned him loose to do it without being properly trained, specifically, where to position the aircraft. If he pushed the plane that far along, off coarse, then he still should have had someone ridding along with him.
Same with me my first pushback at saudi arabia it was A310 air india I start pushing from bay A and the tail almost I inter back to bay B headsetman was srtart on jumping to go where hahahah
Yea the are easy and quick but the super tugs like the one that UA have in IAD are meant for towing planes to and from the gate to remote parking... and or like in ATL and LGA where they tow planes across the RWY.
I'll say this, for a first push, being able to turn like that, fantastic job. Although I only work at KALB and we usually just push straight back, I am one of the slowest pushers out there, and it takes me another like at least 30 seconds from the time I want to stop the push, to actually stopping the push. I'm too scared to turn the plane, and my wing walkers literally walk at about .5 mph because of how slow I go lol
First time, well done to not snap a pin. If you can keep an eye on where the tail end is going, you’re good. My first shot was 12years ago with a 757-200 and I snapped the pin. Nowadays it’s 767 and A300.
You know, it might be more interesting if we saw a bit more than just the front tires. Without your explanation, we'd have no idea what's going on - and that's not what we're watching a video for.
Takes me back to MIA Cargo. Pushed Atlas, Polar, Gemini, Martin Air, Kalitta, Lan Chile, was good times being in control. Not to brag but I played with the heavies push back and towing was my thing. "MIAMI ground tug 123 would like relocate 747 from South west corner to North East corner".
The failure was allowing the captain to start his engines to early,so the failure belongs more to the headset man than anybody else,as a trainee you make these mistakes while learning
CoasttoCoast AM Actually, there are simulators. The problem is that it is too expensive. That's why you start with a small aircraft, then go up to the big boys.
we had a rookie that push back an MD11 of klm to put it backwards in the gates that was next to it .... we where telling im to stop he did not stop .... lucky he did not damage the airplane of hurt any one
Pushed too far, aircraft way off the line, and much too close to parked aircraft. If the pilot started up where he first ended up, jetblast at idle would likely blow the ramp staff - and GSE - all across the aprons. If you've never done it, it's not easy to see what he did wrong. But it's his first time and he didn't break anything. I've seen a lot worse.
The push back doesn't have an idea of the tarmac sorroundings which he should have first or those responsible should should show it first and the push back should have an idea of turning radius or should be taught rougly first.
glad they didn't break off the front gear with these rude maneuvers. Actually this machine is not good for heavy planes, heavy planes require a hydraulic equipment which lifts the wheel.
lets play tug-of-war with a $238,000,000 aircraft, why the hell not? LOL jk this was cool though. such an interesting job. i feel for the passengers lol
Actually, the “rookie” driver didn’t do bad at all, each person learning how to push an A/C pushes how they are being taught, maybe the person teaching him is a “rookie” trainer!
He's terrible. I worked the ramp for two years as one of my first jobs out on my own and started training others two months in. Pushing back a plane is not rocket science. Theres markings on the ramp that you stay lined up with and when to turn. Some people are just generally stupid. That was an absolute disaster including the fact they couldnt even line the aircraft up pulling it back into the gate.
thats why i like airports with some what decent space so it does not matter or have to be soooo perfect like nose gear right on the line type of push i alwasy say it can be kinda sloppy but safe sometimes trying to be perfect can get u in trouble or have unecessary tource on the bar
+matt robinson Actually no the pilots rely on the ground crew for a good pushback as they have to start engines etc while they are getting pushedback so it's not their fault.
![Boeing 777-300ER Pushback with Descriptions [HD]](/img/n.gif)
The very first push I ever did was a 747-200 at northwest airlines in the late 90s and it was an open tug, I was almost wetting my pants for misjudging the angle but my trainer at the times said if you think something is wrong stop gently and reset and observe what you did wrong and correct it, nobody is pushing you son remember you are in control. I used this method to train others on the ramp now and it really is a great concept to use especially for new rampies.
He almost towed them to their destination.
+Abu Lahab very funny
Abu Lahab do you know who abu lahab is?
Abu Lahab 👍😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I was expecting an exceeded turn radius to snap the shear pin on the tow bar. He didn't do too bad for the first solo push. My first one was pretty humbling, but countless pushbacks later I'm better at parking a 747 than my own car.
It's awesome to be able to say that!
He did pretty good. Captain told me my first time pushing was better than his first landing... lol
DX wow lol
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 He really said that?????
I love the way the guy holding the cable (you can see his shadow for first 1½ mins) makes it look like he's walking the plane on a leash, like a giant dog!
My first push back was on a Continental Airlines MD80 25 years ago. As the tug driver, ALWAYS confirm that the proper hydraulics bypass pin was installed on the nose gear. The supervisor put a B737 pin in the nose gear, I didn't check it prior to push and when I began the pushback and started to turn, the nose gear would not turn and the tow bar sheer pin snapped and it sounded like an explosion. Thankfully, the sheer pin did its job, the supervisor disconnected the bar and bypass pin from the nose gear and told the captain what happened. Captain reengaged nose wheel steering, confirmed full movement of the gear, determined all was OK and he was far enough from the gate to taxi and off to Newark he went. That was my first lesson in the concept of the bypass pin.
The leaking fluids is water coming out from the A/C units when the engines are turned out. The problem had something to do with hydraulics. Not leaking hydraulics but something else
Reminds me of the stuff that went on when I worked the ramp a long time ago, back when the earth first cooled. Good god, nothing ever changes does it.
At my station (IAD) we have all sorts of widebodies so we don't get much practice with smaller planes. We gotta practice with what we got
Airports here in New Zealand, mainly Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, use a mobile unit operated by a remote device which hooks up to the main gear and the pilots use their nosewheel steering to make the turns while the remote unit tows the aircraft backwards from the gate. Cool thing to watch.
Does have some video about it? I didn't find anyone, if you know where I can watch please send the link, I'm curious about that system. Tks
everyone makes mistakes, you learn from them, all the best in the future to your co-worker :)
I love this one....picturing passengers feeling like they are being pushed around like an upright vacuum cleaner😀....back and forth, side to side!
Yeah. One time I was on a KLM MD-11 and our plane was pushing back in San Francisco and clearly it was using a towbar and the driver was new [like this one], and we nearly collided with another plane. I feel sorry for your friend and I hope he gained more experience in the past 13 months. Once again, great video as well. :)
Frightening push for sure. I've trained people on pushing for about three years now. Some are good though, and almost immediately get a grasp on it, but then some people make you pray for your life. And then you have those who are about to wreck the gear, so you have to pull the wheel from them to correct it quickly and they fight you on it. Good times
Very entertaining and fun to watch. Everybody has to learn. It just takes some practice. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks for watching! Yea the towless tugs are very rare at Dulles and I believe only United has one. So we all have to deal with the bar. I always wanted to try out a towless pushback though!
But coventional pushback is more safe then towbarless . I parked in hanger two 737 from bay can u bilive me with out futt brakes
32 years of flying passenger aircraft, and I've had worse pushes than this! WAY worse. And yes, after one of those pushes from hell, I had a mechanical failure and had to be towed back onto the stand. Nightmare for all concerned - especially if it becomes questionable to continue the flight because you know that to do so will take you into contingency - and thats for your primary - alterantes would run you right to the wire.
Cool vid, btw, who does the push?? the ramp or ramp and maintenance?
For SA a certified ramper does pushback and a Maintenance technician is hooked up and speaking with the captain.
+Matt Jones For Jet blue in SLC, the driver is also the headset guy.
we do it at jfk too, mechanic does the headset
I also thought this happened in S.A since of course I did not read the description, but then I saw your mention of the Mobile Lounges not being able to go by because of the wings and saw the wheels go by when the plane moved forward and then figured it was my home international airport, So Dulles is the only airport in the world to have those huge buses? Anyway, that was an eventful day.
Quick question from someone not involved with ramp ops: Why didn't the headset crew say something? They can stop the PB at any moment, can't they? They are supposed to be the safety guard here, right?
Hi Rubin, great video to highlight the difficulties of driving a tug, especially one that with a double ‘pivots’ at the nose gear and the towbar end at the tug. Often, many managers will just expect the drivers to do a ‘good job’ like driving a car without understanding the challenges. I assume you are an expert with these airplane tugs?
I had to push onto a taxiway with no center line daily. First time I thought I nailed it until they disconnected the tow bar and I had a chance to actually look at the plane with the main gear almost touching the grass. SMH
I feel bad for the guy. I know I would've blushed after all the fails. I admire him for trying though. Remember: The only way to get better is to practice, repeatedly 'till it (the proper push-back procedure) becomes systematic.
I didn't see any fail where is it
Was the mechanical problems due to the leaking fluids at 2:00 or was it other problems
There’s only one way your going to learn and thats by making little mistakes 😂. Its how we learn from our mistakes that makes it on Ramp. Keep up the good work SwissportAucklandNewZealand
I am having a query.
Who controls the direction of plane while push back.
By plane pilot or by the Puch back vehicle
This is not really the fault of the driver. It's the fault of whoever turned him loose to do it without being properly trained, specifically, where to position the aircraft. If he pushed the plane that far along, off coarse, then he still should have had someone ridding along with him.
tpaairman sounded like there was someone in there with him. He says “hey! The middle line. You’re turning too soon”
Awwww how this brings back memories of working out on the ramp.......... Gotta love rookie pushback drivers! :o)
Not easy at all. My first push was a 767. Let's just say afterwards I wanted to curl up into a ball and cry :P
Dude same with my first push lol but I got back up on my feet and soon enough it became easy as riding a bike. Just takes practice
What do you have to do to become an airport employee? Did you do some special courses?
Same with me my first pushback at saudi arabia it was A310 air india I start pushing from bay A and the tail almost I inter back to bay B headsetman was srtart on jumping to go where hahahah
Yea the are easy and quick but the super tugs like the one that UA have in IAD are meant for towing planes to and from the gate to remote parking... and or like in ATL and LGA where they tow planes across the RWY.
We've all been there, Pitch Black and Peeing down with Rain used to be my Nemesis, could never see the Taxi Line to Aim For.
1:22 Nose Wheel: Ouch That twist hurts. Main Landing Gear : I feel that pain dude
I'll say this, for a first push, being able to turn like that, fantastic job. Although I only work at KALB and we usually just push straight back, I am one of the slowest pushers out there, and it takes me another like at least 30 seconds from the time I want to stop the push, to actually stopping the push. I'm too scared to turn the plane, and my wing walkers literally walk at about .5 mph because of how slow I go lol
what does it mean when the plane went mechanical?
Pushbacks should be easy for tractor trailer drivers.
Are you reading my mind :)
First time, well done to not snap a pin.
If you can keep an eye on where the tail end is going, you’re good.
My first shot was 12years ago with a 757-200 and I snapped the pin. Nowadays it’s 767 and A300.
A very brief pushback career for this guy! Major schoolboy error
Everyone has to start somewhere.
@@ChrisComley They need a cart to practice with out on the edge of the airport.
Geez! I was getting an anxiety attack watching this!
You have to learn somehow. My first solo pushback was with a Fokker 100... and it was horrible. all about learning
Let me guess: he was texting.
I seen videos but never in person. They seem very efficient and quick and easy.
wait that a catatrsophic fail from cockpit!! non release for pins???
wut?
Yeah. That's a steering bypass pin to allow the puhback
And he's the headset operator not a mechanic
I'll make sure to pass that along. We all have to learn someway!
I mean at least the airplane had a mechanical problem anyway, so it wasn't too bad.
Never knew the a340 had the same landing gear configuration as the dc10!
Unbelievable someone could do that
Haha Yeah That Pushback Car One Is Hard 😂
Interesting. Subscribed
Dc10 /md11?
You know, it might be more interesting if we saw a bit more than just the front tires. Without your explanation, we'd have no idea what's going on - and that's not what we're watching a video for.
Plane was probably broke way before that. Sometimes they wait for the last minute to try and differ a mechanical.
what airport was this
Dietrich Louw Dulles International
Haha the plane had to relieve herself ;). It is just water coming out of the A/C units.
the engine sound is tOo good!!
haha of course it's Swissport. Major props, pushing back is never easy at first, especially if you're starting out with a wide body
If you think they teach you anything when you work the ramp, well, try it and let me know how it works for you!
Never say and think about it in ramp I am perfect never
My first push was a 737-500 shat bricks
Takes me back to MIA Cargo. Pushed Atlas, Polar, Gemini, Martin Air, Kalitta, Lan Chile, was good times being in control. Not to brag but I played with the heavies push back and towing was my thing. "MIAMI ground tug 123 would like relocate 747 from South west corner to North East corner".
Well he didn't break the sher pin,or hyper extend the tow bar.
Won't be long before all this is automated too!
well 6 years later and we're still pushing
hehe we always pushed by hand.... but they were cessna's and twin otters.
The failure was allowing the captain to start his engines to early,so the failure belongs more to the headset man than anybody else,as a trainee you make these mistakes while learning
You have to learn somehow, im surprised they dont have a Towtruck pushback simulator , maybe they do
CoasttoCoast AM Actually, there are simulators. The problem is that it is too expensive. That's why you start with a small aircraft, then go up to the big boys.
they sure are, it's fun pushing with a towbar aswell though, more of a challenge to get it right :)
this an a340 right
Nice video
Just to let people know this happened in the USA not South Africa
I wish I work in an airport as ground unit.Where do I need to start?But I give you friend 3 letters L-O-L
we had a rookie that push back an MD11 of klm to put it backwards in the gates that was next to it .... we where telling im to stop he did not stop .... lucky he did not damage the airplane of hurt any one
boring video, I was waiting for the payoff and couldn't wait for the end. Had to pull the plug on this one.
Just did my first push back couple days ago on a 900. Couldn't drive a nail in my ass with a hammer I was that nervous
Where was the fail part?
Pushed too far, aircraft way off the line, and much too close to parked aircraft. If the pilot started up where he first ended up, jetblast at idle would likely blow the ramp staff - and GSE - all across the aprons. If you've never done it, it's not easy to see what he did wrong. But it's his first time and he didn't break anything. I've seen a lot worse.
You have to have a plan. Good thing he had wide open spaces for his lack of planning. Tow back was pretty shitty and way off center...
The push back doesn't have an idea of the tarmac sorroundings which he should have first or those responsible should should show it first and the push back should have an idea of turning radius or should be taught rougly first.
Surprised he allowed the plane to be towed with engines running (even at idle).
Stopped at 2 minutes, when does something happen??
A 24 hour delay followed by a 16 hour flight? I'd be mad AS HELL!!!
TeanoZ the Senegal-D.C. Flight is 8 hours but I would still be pretty mad lol
А что из самолёта вытекает?
How hard is it¿
glad they didn't break off the front gear with these rude maneuvers. Actually this machine is not good for heavy planes, heavy planes require a hydraulic equipment which lifts the wheel.
We all started somewhere, at least he didn't snap a pin....
His push was fine, my first push in a A321 was awful especially out of a difficult hate in SF.
+Cristian Arauz There is no hate in SF.
I remember my first push. Lufthansa A340-300.
Carlos Ramirez Ugh, such a beauty.
The guy with the headset on is wearing tennis shoes on the ramp? That's not good.
lets play tug-of-war with a $238,000,000 aircraft, why the hell not? LOL jk this was cool though. such an interesting job. i feel for the passengers lol
Actually, the “rookie” driver didn’t do bad at all, each person learning how to push an A/C pushes how they are being taught, maybe the person teaching him is a “rookie” trainer!
He's terrible. I worked the ramp for two years as one of my first jobs out on my own and started training others two months in. Pushing back a plane is not rocket science. Theres markings on the ramp that you stay lined up with and when to turn. Some people are just generally stupid. That was an absolute disaster including the fact they couldnt even line the aircraft up pulling it back into the gate.
This needs to be automated to some extent
thats why i like airports with some what decent space so it does not matter or have to be soooo perfect like nose gear right on the line type of push i alwasy say it can be kinda sloppy but safe sometimes trying to be perfect can get u in trouble or have unecessary tource on the bar
All he had to do was just stop
LOL!!!! At least he can push back better then I can!!!!!!!
holy shit. I thought he was suposed to be on the spotted lines. XD missed by 20 ft
Wow that is very lucky of him!
Why give the crew permission to start engines then?
Yes he has to say the least! Well he hasn't pushed back any 340s hahaha. Thanks for watching!
in yul he would of been promoted to supervisor !!!! lol but two hour to empty a plane ?? or it 1 and a half hour of waiting ?
nice vid
who pushed it back in? the person who did that should be fired.
I know I was pissed and I wasn't even on the plane! :P Haha thank you!
Looks like Springbok have a bad management...
painful from poor comms between ground crew and air! for this i i would ask for immediate re learning of taxi-takeoff checksfor this aircraft!
+matt robinson Actually no the pilots rely on the ground crew for a good pushback as they have to start engines etc while they are getting pushedback so it's not their fault.