AA757MIA From United States of America, joined May 2008, 227 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 4 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 3339 times:
For quite some time I've been wondering why most of the time (because I think it is not all the time) aircrafts taxi on the left side on two way and/or parallel taxiways? I imagine taxing in an aircraft has nothing to do with traffic rules, but at least in this side of the world we're used to drive on the right lane.
OPNLguy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (4 years 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 3282 times:
Quoting AA757MIA (Thread starter): For quite some time I've been wondering why most of the time (because I think it is not all the time) aircrafts taxi on the left side on two way and/or parallel taxiways? I imagine taxing in an aircraft has nothing to do with traffic rules, but at least in this side of the world we're used to drive on the right lane.
This picture reminded me to ask the question, but I've also noticed it when flying myself.
The aircraft in the ATL picture aren't on "taxiways" per se, just the ramp areas between the councourses. I can't think of any taxiways anywhere that are two-way, since they'd have to be so wide as to permit proper wingtip clearance between a wide variety of types of aircraft. For all practical purposes, taxiways are one-way so as to maintain separation from other aircraft while on the ground.
As far as large ramp areas like ATL, I suppose it's up to the local airport to establish procedures based on their airport's runway configuration and traffic demands.
BigSaabowski From United States of America, joined Jul 2008, 137 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (4 years 4 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3273 times:
In ATL, it's up to the ramp controller to decide which lane to use for which direction and it may change every 10 minutes or so depending on the traffic situation. For example, the 2 aircraft on the top right of the picture were told to take the left lane north and contact ground on 121.9. Just as often, aircraft will exit that ramp (#3) on the right lane.
Pilotpip From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3084 posts, RR: 12 Reply 3, posted (4 years 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3218 times:
And it's not unusual to shuffle back and forth a couple times between the left and right side if you have to go around a few aircraft to/from your gate.
DEN is somewhat similar but there is enough space that you can put a number of aircraft next to each other between the terminals.
Alias1024 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 2644 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (4 years 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 3104 times:
Some airports have two way taxiing on wider taxiways for light aircraft. Daytona Beach is a good example. It's very common to see C-172s taxiing in opposite directions on their way to and from 7L. Though each stays on the right side, not the left.
Quoting Pilotpip (Reply 3): DEN is somewhat similar but there is enough space that you can put a number of aircraft next to each other between the terminals.
Totally unrelated, but Denver ramp control blows! I can't count the number of times I've heard the following from ground control: "ramp sent you out the wrong side. Two right turns, Bravo November to reenter, contact ramp". Ok, rant over.
It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems with just potatoes.
Pilotpip From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3084 posts, RR: 12 Reply 5, posted (4 years 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 3092 times:
I agree 100%.
My favorite was not one but two 180s in the middle of the ramp as they sent us to different sides of the field. Also prompted one of the funniest PA announcements I've ever heard. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we had to pull over and ask for directions at the gas station but I promise we now know where we are going."
TheGreatChecko From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 1110 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (4 years 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 2992 times:
I just wish Denver ramp control could learn two things:
1. How to key their mics properly. They always seem to start talking before the mic is keyed and half of the call sign is cut off.
2. That "we" usually can't tell if we are stepping on someone on frequency when we talk and telling us to listen up doesn't help either.
Checko
"A pilot's plane she is. She will love you if you deserve it, and try to kill you if you don't...She is the Mighty Q400"
Francoflier From France, joined Oct 2001, 3196 posts, RR: 10 Reply 8, posted (4 years 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 2880 times:
Quoting AA757MIA (Thread starter): taxi on the left side on two way and/or parallel taxiways?
Each airport has a 'preferential' taxi chart that is a basic guideline of how the aircrafts should be taxied between the runways and ramps. Many large airports with parallel taxiways assign a specific direction of taxi to each of them for easier flow control. There is no left or right preference, it all depends on the airport layout.
Although at the end of the day, it's all down to the ground controller, and some airports can get pretty 'messy' on the ground. Especially those older ones which grew out of their planned capacity and/or have been empirically extended on restricted real estate...
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit posting...
Thebatman From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 829 posts, RR: 10 Reply 9, posted (3 years 12 months 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 2360 times:
At O'Hare, between the B and C concourses, the general rule is "in from the North, out through the South". So, you generally see both "lanes" going in the same direction. There are exceptions, of course. Generally, 777's and 747's at B-17 will come in and out from the North. Terminals 2 and 3 use an alley system, which is generally a train wreck.
As far as ground traffic on the taxiways goes, depending on the runway configuration, taxiway "A" will move North, and "B" will move South. Again, this is up to the ground controller. As you can imagine, things can get pretty hairy sometimes. But generally speaking, the controllers at ORD do an incredible job.
Pilots without aircraft mechanics are just pedestrians with sunglasses and a leather jacket.
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