Crogalski From United States of America, joined May 2005, 514 posts, RR: 4 Posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 2166 times:
I was just hired for a ground ops position, and I'm heading into the training next month for two weeks, I was curious as what to expect? They said there would be tests daily, would it be on how to operate the machinery etc?
A319 A320 B717 B727 B737 B747 B757 B767 C152 C172 DC9 E145 E190 MD88 PA28 | B6 CO DL FL NK NW LO TW
FredT From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2002, 2184 posts, RR: 26 Reply 2, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 2136 times:
Ramping? Hazardous material was a big issue as far as theory goes. Then familiarity with the aircraft types handled, how to operate the machinery, how to get those trolley trains right up to the highloaders, stacking bags (which is an artform), stacking bags quickly (even more of an artform)...
I thought I was doing good trying to avoid those airport hotels... and look at me now.
Goldenshield From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 5440 posts, RR: 12 Reply 3, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2123 times:
Another good thing to know and understand, is having situational awareness. The ramp can be a busy place, and knowing where other vehicles are, and being prepared for any possibility is a must. Know your vehicles abilities and faults. Oh, and don't do donuts.
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.
TwinCommander From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 149 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (7 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 2084 times:
Quoting Goldenshield (Reply 3): Know your vehicles abilities and faults. Oh, and don't do donuts.
TwinCommander From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 149 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (7 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 1782 times:
Quoting Ralgha (Reply 8): Quoting TwinCommander (Reply 4):
donuts are required of your using lektro tugs
I almost rolled one once, that would have been very bad.
Been on two wheels a few times.
HAHA!
the smaller wheel base ones are notorious for the dreaded 2 wheel boogy. however, when you get on the big red or the new super big red, you can park one of the drive wheels and just throw the passenger end at a nice G-rate.
its fun, but make sure you do it on a VERY black ramp
Aogdesk From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 933 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (7 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 1779 times:
You HAVE to always have situational awareness (keep your head up). I see complacency and a lack of respect towards machinery on a daily basis, and it DOES catch up to you.
Sadly, tragedy happens in the blink of an eye, as it did this morning with the ramper in DCA.
AirTran737 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3639 posts, RR: 12 Reply 11, posted (7 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 1778 times:
MY advice. Play a lot of Tetris before you get into the bin to satck for the first time. Seriously though, being a ramper is a tough job. There will be days where you will get your ass kicked out on the flight line and you will wonder why you do it. There will also be days where you have a great time and love your job. Be prepared for the weather. Depending where you live you will experience all types of weather. Be prepared to smell like sweat and Jet A, also prepare for a wicked farmers tan. You will have a fun time learning the job. Learning to pushback is going to be the best time. Remember, if you want the tail of the plane to turn to the right, then you need to turn left. To turn the tail left you will turn to the right. Enjoy it.
Nice Trip Report!!! Great Pics, thanks for posting!!!! B747Forever
Pilotpip From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3082 posts, RR: 12 Reply 12, posted (7 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 1773 times:
Quoting AirTran737 (Reply 11): Be prepared to smell like sweat and Jet A, also prepare for a wicked farmers tan.
You know it's bad when the one from the previous year never went away. I look like I'm wearing socks even when I'm not
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4536 posts, RR: 26 Reply 15, posted (7 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 1679 times:
Quoting AirTran737 (Reply 11): Remember, if you want the tail of the plane to turn to the right, then you need to turn left. To turn the tail left you will turn to the right. Enjoy it.
From what perspective? I learned, turn the wheel in the direction you want the tail to turn...from your perspective in the seat of the pushback meaning if you are sitting on the pushback staring at the nose of the plane and you want the tail to go left, you would turn left on the wheel.
[Edited 2005-06-09 03:17:42]
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
UAcsOKC From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 107 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (7 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 1670 times:
Quoting AirTran737 (Reply 11): Remember, if you want the tail of the plane to turn to the right, then you need to turn left. To turn the tail left you will turn to the right. Enjoy it.
What kind of Tug are you driving? In our world of two-pivot towbars, you turn the same direction you want the tail to go, then follow the nose through the turn.
TinPusher007 From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 963 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (7 years 11 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1672 times:
Quoting Silver1SWA (Reply 15): Quoting AirTran737 (Reply 11):
Remember, if you want the tail of the plane to turn to the right, then you need to turn left. To turn the tail left you will turn to the right. Enjoy it.
From what perspective? I learned, turn the wheel in the direction you want the tail to turn...from your perspective in the seat of the pushback meaning if you are sitting on the pushback staring at the nose of the plane and you want the tail to go left, you would turn left on the wheel.
Quoting UAcsOKC (Reply 16): What kind of Tug are you driving? In our world of two-pivot towbars, you turn the same direction you want the tail to go, then follow the nose through the turn.
I was thinking the same thing, but I didn't want to get into it. I hear so many people say that when trying to train new guys on the pushback and its very misleading. There is nothing worse than starting to turn a plane and realizing you've gone the wrong way...expecially in a tight space.
I always tell guys if you want the tail to go to your left, for example, you need to get the pushback on "your left" (the planes' right) side of the fuselage which requires an initial turn to the left.
"Flying isn't inherently dangerous...but very unforgiving of carelessness, incapacity or neglect."
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