Virgin Pilot Gets Angry

Unfortunately like any job things don't always go was you want them to. This is how it sounds when several pilots get upset

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[timangus]

Context: in Britain queue jumping is among the worst crimes a human being can commit.

[Zaephrax]

As a Brit, I can confirm the Virgin pilot's reaction was very British. He probably took a deep disapproving sigh and mentioned some choice words to his colleague before the radio conversation, but it is a very British thing to just wait in line and watch things unfold and then stew about it for a few hours after

[AlisonHanson-vzdi]

I ramped there in AUS. Even on an uncontrolled ramp, moving aircraft ALWAYS have the right of way. If Virgin truly was rolling, the southwest pushback driver should have stopped the push and waited for Virgin to clear.

[stephencavanaugh]

As an aircraft mechanic of nearly 30 years, I've always been taught that in this kind of situation, moving aircraft ALWAYS have the right of way. Regardless of whether the ramp is controlled or not. The tug driver and ground crew were the ones most at fault.

[jaygelles]

I'm an American, but respect the Virgin pilot's feelings about someone cutting in front of them in line. An uncontrolled ramp seems like a saftey hazard and not something a Heathrow based flight crew is accustomed to. As a Chicagoan, I couldn't imagine O'Hare or Midway having such a setup. The Southwest pilot's were not only rude, but were missusing the radio to further bother Virgin. From what I've learned from Kelsey, the radio is meant professional communication, not open mic comedy. Unless you are Kennedy Steve, but he was ATC and funny, j/k!

[eggspresso]

787 absolutely did the right. Stopped and refuse to taxi off taxi way. Which, if they did follow the tower instructions to “sidestep”, would have been dangerous for a 787-10. They asked for more info then letting them know they will be filing an occurrence report. That’s 10/10 absolutely correct and SAFEST thing to do.

[Taladar]

An uncontrolled ramp for large airliners really sounds like a stupid idea.

[joshuapatrick]

"out of interest" is the british way of saying hey asshole....

[garthly]

As a Brit who has lived in the US for 20 years, you got this right. Simple cultural difference. We are trained not to be assertive in the way you suggest. And that question, did you see us, is simply seeking the great British diffuser of tension, an apology: Oh sorry, we didn’t see you until we were moving. Shall we get out of your way? Then the reply would come back: oh no, you’re fine. We’re not in that much of a hurry.

[Pletharoe]

As a 777/787 pilot I FULLY support the virgin crew. There is no way I would deviate from taxi lines to skip another aircraft. My wingtip clearance goes out the window. All professional pilots know the shameful reality… you hit something during taxi, it’s my fault. Every time. Even under marshalling. They absolutely did the right thing, end of.

[soapywaterdrinker]

As someone who was a tug driver, you get to know when another plane is ready to taxi. And as you mentioned, there are tons of things they could have done to still allow the virgin plane to taxi by. Though I do also know that there are a lot of tug drivers out there, who will purposely push their planes out to block another plane from moving. I've worked both controlled, and uncontrolled ramps, and I really hate an uncontrolled ramp, unless everyone knows and works well with each other.

[JP-wguq]

I'm an American, and an airline pilot. The Southwest pilots and tug driver were rude and arrogant. Once cleared to taxi, deviating from that clearance puts you at risk of collision or disciplinary action if something goes wrong. The Virgin pilots did the right thing to stop and query ground control if he was aware of the conflict, and to expect Southwest to act courteously.

[CaptainSpock]

Absolutely love the green screen bit at the end! What a way to embrace your critics. Well done Kelsey!

[flukec]

I know you're feeling burned out but I just wanted to let you know how happy I am that you continue to upload. You bring a little joy to every day I watch one of your new videos. All the best, Kelsey.

[dynagaming]

Kelsey, I have to say I deeply appreciate you explaining how airports essentially work. You break it down, using the actual map / diagram of the taxiways / runways, and it makes it far easier to understand.

[nosleeppete]

I'm just really surprised that aircraft can push back without ground control clearance in an airport of this size. Uncontrolled areas seem bizarre and basically a little unsafe.

[Khalcetines]

This is 100% on the flight dispatcher/tug driver. They are the ones with the eyes on ground and should have not initiated the pushback maneouver. If there were any incident, they would most probably be responsible for it. Southwest pilots could get off by just saying: "We didn't saw it from the cockpit, the dispatcher is the one responsible for the safe pushback and making sure there are no obstacles."

[johnpatrick]

Road rage has been duplicated to become ramp rage.

[bconnery]

My late uncle was a 747 captain and instructor. He always said professional courtesy is an essential part of flying. Southwest's response was unprofessional and an embarrassment. They should have given way to the taxing aircraft especially when you have a fully loaded 787 bound for a 9 hour or more flight. The aviation field is about teamwork and respect regardless of who you work for or what you fly. If this happened at London Heathrow, I am certain that this would have been investigated immediately. What is concerning is the air traffic controllers sidestep recommendation. This is why it is important to have them do familiarization flights so they can understand the other side of the microphone and what it entails. if Austin airport wants to seriously upgrade to the international market, then they need to address the uncontrolled ramp period.

[bluebellsings]

So appreciate how Kelsey lays out facts and explains things in ways that people like me (not a pilot) can understand. Such a gift he has. Please never stop making your videos, Kelsey. I always look forward to seeing the next one.