I often just like to scroll around airports by satellite view on Google Maps, which isn't always professional photography quality, and it seemed like a lot of planes were sitting at gates without the jetways attached. I always assumed that they were either blurry pictures, odd perspective or about to push back.

But this quality picture that an a.netter took shows it clearly. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-N...aland/Boeing-777-319/ER/2151417/L/ NZ 777 at a gate at LAX, Doors closed, jetway pulled back, and no tug, so it's obviously not pushing back immediately. I assume that this plane is sitting all day, as its LAX, so why not park it somewhere else, or if you're going to leave it at the gate, why pull the jetway back? If you want it closed off, couldn't you just pull down the security gate. It seems like it would be better not to bump a jetway into a plane any more times than necessary.

I've never worked on a ramp, so I'm just curious from those that have.

Without going into detail it is for security purposes, and I will end my post with that.

Jetway not attached: Prevents unauthorized access.. the airport may be a secured area, but that doesn't mean things don't go missing... yes, even from planes! Even avionics can go missing! Just close the gate at security? Errrr.. did U see the jetway's staircase?   

Why not move it elsewhere? If you don't have to move it, why should you move it? If the gate's not needed, leave the plane where it is. Towing costs money! Regardless where you park your jetliner at the airport, you still gotta pay for parking...

So...unrelated question, but since the photo is there:

What are the black lines on the 77W's wings for?

-Mir

Out here there is a Security guard guarding each parked Aircraft,even if the doors are closed....keeping a watch on the Entire aircraft included is the Bulk cargo door which are sealed by a breakable seal......Lots more but then I don't think it would be advisible write about that out here.......

Besides security issues. If the airplane is left unattended it is probably a good idea to have anything that is not a part of the airplane removed from the airplane to prevent possible damage while being unattended. That was one thought I had...

not going into details but could be airline policy to have it pulled.

Quoting mandala499 (Reply 2): Jetway not attached: Prevents unauthorized access..

  

Think of it like locking your car, house, office, or anything else with a lock. Not everyone is authorized to operate jetbridges at an airport. If you cannot move the jetbridge, you are basically locked out from the aircraft.

Quoting AmericanAirFan (Reply 5): That was one thought I had...

Thats true too......damage to an Aircraft can occur with sudden wind conditions....

I work as a dispatcher at MAN and drive airbridges as part of my job. As has been stated, it can be for security. Also, airbridges can be removed for towing. Here at MAN we often take the airbridge off aircraft once everybody is off and leave rear steps on, saves us having to keep going out to the aircraft. It happens a lot of the time too where we can't get to the aircraft immediately on arrival, so it can sometimes be down to us guys being delayed.

Someone mentioned the airbridge causing damage, this is rare as all airbridges have 'auto-levels', usually a wheel which ensures the airbridge remains in the same position during loading/unloading. But I suppose anything can fail so taking the bridge off can prevent any sort of accident happening.

Where I work it's standard procedure at all airports when an aircraft is to be left unattended last person to leave must turn power off, close the doors and pull the bridge or stairs back a few feet.

I'm surprised by the amount of paranoia (for the lack of a better word) in some of the responses here. It's hardly revealing SSI to say that stairs are removed and doors are closed for security purposes. I can only speak for DL, but I'm sure it's general policy at most airlines to remove stairs and jetways, retract airstairs, and close cargo doors when aircraft are left unattended on an airport.

I was never privy to foreign or long overnight security procedures, but I'm sure there are other methods (security seal tape, etc) in place for securing an aircraft even further.

In addition to security, I'm sure the jetbridges are pulled back to prevent potential aircraft damage. If I owned an airplane, I certainly wouldn't want to leave a very powerful electric/hydraulic ram resting right against the aircraft unattended.

Just to demonstrate how powerful jetways are...
As pointed out by KPWMSpotter, jetways are fairly powerful, and leaving them unattended resting on the fuselage could lead to some potential damages.

Quoting Mir (Reply 3): What are the black lines on the 77W's wings for?

I remember reading somewhere that they are there to help maintenance staff check if there is any ice on the wing surface - it's easier to spot ice from a black-colored background.

Quoting KPWMSpotter (Reply 11): In addition to security, I'm sure the jetbridges are pulled back to prevent potential aircraft damage.

True.......Even though the aerobridge is safety locked, so cannot be operated by any one Unauthorised.
Better to be keeping the area clear when unused.

Quoting KPWMSpotter (Reply 11): I'm surprised by the amount of paranoia (for the lack of a better word) in some of the responses here.

Most aviation related employees are working under a set of rules when it comes to social media. One of those rules is that you don't discuss certain operational or security issues in public, on a public forum. It's not that these individuals here are paranoid, more that they know their comments can easily be traced back to them.

If you were to meet them face to face, likely they would be freer to comment on some of the less sensitive issues.

Jetbridge pulled back for RON aircraft so no one can access the aircraft

So the local Transportation Security Administration agents use the Pitot Static tubes, ice detectors and TAT probes to gain access to the aircraft(s) parked overnight at the gates damaging 9-10 aircraft - all the RON aurcraft are unflyable the next morning.

TSA fines said airline for not securing the aircraft overnight as the agents were able to gain access to the aircraft by climbing onto the external probes,even though the jetbridges were pulled away from the aircraft for the night.

Quoting woodreau (Reply 15):

I assume the TSA paid to place the aircraft back into service? Where is the article for that one.

I believe that the TSA incident you are talking about happened to American Eagle, I can't remember what airport it was at though.

Quoting crj900lr (Reply 17): I can't remember what airport it was at though.

ORD. I want to say it was in late 2010 or early 2011.

Quoting longhauler (Reply 14): It's not that these individuals here are paranoid, more that they know their comments can easily be traced back to them.

Fair enough. But here, it doesn't take an insider to understand the principle behind the rule, which is designed to make it harder to access the aircraft.

August 19, 2008 is when it happened, you are correct that it happened in ORD.

I just wonder what was the outcome to this TSA incedent. Did TSA pay For the damage, were the agents promoted.

Quoting qblue (Reply 20): I just wonder what was the outcome to this TSA incedent. Did TSA pay For the damage

Wouldn't they be compelled to....since they caused the damage.

filler

[Edited 2012-12-03 20:03:17]

We pulled jetways from the aircraft pre 9/11, too, even if it was only an hour.

My guess is TSA did not pay, just reduced the fine, afterall their "expertice" is not free.

out here....a security person mans the Aircraft when long parked with no GSE attached.