NWA DC9 Powerbacks

redtailmsp · Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:44 am

A couple of weeks ago, NWA started a two month test to see how much fuel could be saved by doing pushbacks on the DC9s versus powerbacks. This is at all stations with the exception of Springfield, Missouri, where they do not have a towbar. The downside to pushbacks is that with the staffing levels being pared down to bare-bones just about everywhere, delays are bound to occur - especially at the hubs. Anyone out there noticed any long delays in pushing back? I was on a MEM-MSP flight the other day that waited over 10 mins for a tug. Anyone working the ramps in DTW/MSP/MEM got any thoughts?

N808NW · Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:05 am

I haven't seen any noticeable delays and I work the ramp at MSP. if there isn't a DC9 towbar around all you have to do is get on a tug and drive around until you find one. we usually make sure we have a towbar well before pushback. if there are any delays from this I'm sure its no more than 10 min.

-Jason swirl

scaredflyer21 · Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:44 am

Quoting Redtailmsp (Thread starter):
This is at all stations with the exception of Springfield, Missouri, where they do not have a towbar.

Springfield, MO only has airlink service. No DC-9s here. Just CRJ.

Scaredflyer21

burnsie28 · Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:53 am

Quoting Scaredflyer21 (Reply 2):
Springfield, MO only has airlink service. No DC-9s here. Just CRJ.

Wrong, NW has two daily DC-9's to SGF.

Arriving SGF
NW 817 Dep MEM 2:45pm Arr: SGF 3:46pm

NW 1655 Dep MEM 7:45pm Arr: SGF 8:47pm

Departing SGF
NW 1563 Dep SGF: 6:45am Arr: MEM 7:52am

NW 1256 Dep: SGF 4:30pm Arr: MEM 5:29pm

scaredflyer21 · Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:55 am

Good to know. How long has this service been operated by mainline?

burnsie28 · Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:46 am

Quoting Scaredflyer21 (Reply 4):
Good to know. How long has this service been operated by mainline?

So far at least a couple months.

m404 · Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:14 am

I've not seen the full effort for 100% pushbacks yet as MEM is still in the middle of training about 150 agents,many as backups to the very sparse gate crews. As mentioned in another thread, tug availability probably will be a problem. I have seen tugs on the road on flatbeds that, I was told, were being redistributed from outsourced stations where the new contractor was providing the tug themselves. I'd like some more corroboration on that aspect if possible. After the training a pool of agents who normally work elsewhere will be "on call" to provide the extra manpower if needed. We'll see.

BatonOps · Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:14 am

NW always uses push back at MDT. I don't recall them ever doing a power back.

KingAir200 · Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:33 am

Quoting BatonOps (Reply 7):
NW always uses push back at MDT. I don't recall them ever doing a power back.

They only powerback at airports that are approved for it. Outside of hubs, there aren't that many stations that use powerbacks; most outstations have turnout gates or pushback with a tug.

United_fan · Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:19 am

I've only seen them do a p/b @ DTW. I know they don't do them in ROC. They also didn't do them in GSO .

captaink · Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:31 am

Quoting KingAir200 (Reply 8):
most outstations have turnout gates

Whats that?

rw717 · Sat Oct 07, 2006 12:18 pm

A power-out is when you pull the jetway as close to the building as you can, and the jet just turns its front nose gear all the way to the right and turns around. We used to do them in FCA when I worked there for NW. DL also did them there.

ual757 · Sat Oct 07, 2006 12:45 pm

Yay for POWERbacks!!!! Boo for towbars!

falstaff · Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:48 pm

Quoting Burnsie28 (Reply 3):
Wrong, NW has two daily DC-9's to SGF

I like to hear about SGF. My first Airplane trip was out of SGF in 1977, SGF-STL. I remember my mom and I meeting my dad at SGF dozens of times until we moved to DEN in 1981. Mom and I even flew on one of Ozark's Fairchilds in 1980, to STL.

Back in the late 70s I think Ozark was the only mainline service to SGF. Those are the only planes I ever saw around there, but I was rather young. I have seen photos of Allegheny DC-9s there. There was a 747 there, once, in 1979 or 80 I have no idea why it was there, but it made the local TV news and paper.

How long has NWA (or Pinnacle and Mesaba) served SGF?

captaink · Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:45 pm

Quoting RW717 (Reply 11):
A power-out is when you pull the jetway as close to the building as you can, and the jet just turns its front nose gear all the way to the right and turns around. We used to do them in FCA when I worked there for NW. DL also did them there.

So what does that do for the airplane pushing back or leaving the gate area..?

ZeroTwoGrass · Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:52 pm

Quoting Captaink (Reply 14):
So what does that do for the airplane pushing back or leaving the gate area..?

Means no pushback required, just turn as sharp as possible and taxi on its own.

captaink · Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:06 pm

Quoting ZeroTwoGrass (Reply 15):
Means no pushback required, just turn as sharp as possible and taxi on its own.

Ah, ok. I am trying to imagine how that setup, cause I am wondering about wing clearance etc.

sunking737 · Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:25 pm

I didn't know NW had stopped doing power backs. We did it all the time at RC, on the old green concourse, now A-B-C., in MSP. I did many of them, that was part of my job that I really liked. Even did power backs on the Convair 580. Now that was power!!

The biggest draw back was winter time and getting blasted by sand and slush. e would wear googles.

The DC-9 and 727 we did all the time. We tryed to get a 757 Capt. do do a power back one day. He almost had a stroke as the plane was about 2 weeks old. LOL. He said no and after about 10 min we gave up.

IIRC Eastern was the carrier who started the whole power back thing. I think in ATL.

United_fan · Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:35 pm

Enjoy !!

http://www.flightlevel350.com/Aircra...t_Airlines_Aviation_Video-668.html

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