Big tugs

Today for the first time I noticed that the big jets – the ones that dwarf the normal planes, like the Boeing 747s that have two levels of windows on the forward section that bubbles up, and that when you see them start to roll away from the gate you wonder how that building is going to take off – are being towed way down the taxiway.

I’m certain they used to just get pushed back, like normal planes, and then proceeded under their own power. But these days a big tug pulls the aircraft quite a ways down the taxiway. It’s larger but there also is no visible push bar; it appears to somehow wrap around the front landing gear. Definitely something for further investigation.

I was also reminded of a number of things today. For examples, 10 hours is a lot of time to kill at O’Hare. You see, the air passenger system doesn’t work the way it used to, at least not when you’re flying the skies of United. They’re flying full these days. So if you’re not there when they finish the first wave of boarding, watch out. Even though you have already checked in and are high-tailing it to the gate, if your seat is unclaimed 15 or 20 minutes before takeoff, you’re likely to lose it. That was a rough reminder.

I also was reminded that there is no shortcut from the far reaches of the parking lot to the tram. And there’s no such thing as a short security line. And, most importantly, there’s no express route from the switchbacks of security to the most remote gate on the outer concourse (C2 for those of you who know O’Hare). I thought it was a long walk when I helped build the "new" United terminal back in 1987. But then I was being paid by the hour rather than rushing to catch a plane.