'cleared to taxi/depart' hand signal?
05-04-2009, 12:17 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Feb 2007
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'cleared to taxi/depart' hand signal?
At your company, how is the signal given from the marshaller that you are cleared to taxi from your push-back position?
I ask because my company just changed its policy from something that works very well to something that in my opinion is less clear, less safe, and for a totally unmotivated and arbitrary reason, and I wanted to see how it compares with other places and thoughts on it.
The former policy was that after everything was disconnected from the airplane and tug crew was safely away from the aircraft, the marshaller would hold up one wand in vertical position overhead to signify to the crew that you're good to go. Then the CA would flash the nose light and the marshaller would send them off. Easy and clear and works just as well day or night.
The new policy is that after everything is disconnected from the aircraft, the marshaller is to 'salute' first, then the crew member on the same side of the a/c as the marshaller would then return the salute, and then the send off from the ground is given.
Its hard to see you guys inside the cockpit sometimes, especially with the glare on cloudy days, and forget about it at night. We're told that the crew will just turn their cockpit lights on so we can see you. Really?? Goodbye to your night vision.
The reason we get for the change is that "everyone else does it, and we want that conformity". Whaaat? Maybe I'm just over reacting, but it just irritates me that the company thinks its being smart, but really nothing is being improved, and seemingly the safety/clarity could be degraded with this change. Making sure you are looking in/out of the window at just the right moment to catch a brief hand signal is not better.
Nothing was broke. Nothing should have been 'fixed'. I guess that's airline management for you.
(and yes, if it isn't clear, I am indeed a ramp rat.
)
I ask because my company just changed its policy from something that works very well to something that in my opinion is less clear, less safe, and for a totally unmotivated and arbitrary reason, and I wanted to see how it compares with other places and thoughts on it.
The former policy was that after everything was disconnected from the airplane and tug crew was safely away from the aircraft, the marshaller would hold up one wand in vertical position overhead to signify to the crew that you're good to go. Then the CA would flash the nose light and the marshaller would send them off. Easy and clear and works just as well day or night.
The new policy is that after everything is disconnected from the aircraft, the marshaller is to 'salute' first, then the crew member on the same side of the a/c as the marshaller would then return the salute, and then the send off from the ground is given.
Its hard to see you guys inside the cockpit sometimes, especially with the glare on cloudy days, and forget about it at night. We're told that the crew will just turn their cockpit lights on so we can see you. Really?? Goodbye to your night vision.
The reason we get for the change is that "everyone else does it, and we want that conformity". Whaaat? Maybe I'm just over reacting, but it just irritates me that the company thinks its being smart, but really nothing is being improved, and seemingly the safety/clarity could be degraded with this change. Making sure you are looking in/out of the window at just the right moment to catch a brief hand signal is not better.
Nothing was broke. Nothing should have been 'fixed'. I guess that's airline management for you.
(and yes, if it isn't clear, I am indeed a ramp rat.
)
05-04-2009, 07:02 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2009
Position: PA-44 Left Seat :P
Posts: 219
05-04-2009, 08:58 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: Student Pilot
Posts: 849
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