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Southwest is testing front and rear boarding/de-boarding at select airports
Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), Sacramento (SMF), or San Jose (SJC) (www.gatechecked.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
My sister always sits in the last seat as she hates people behind her. She never checks luggage, even with the Southwest free luggage policy. This will be great for her.
For those that think this does not happen all over ther world - might want to check the facts. It DOES in fact happen in quite a few countries. I've boarded planes on rear airstairs at FRA and CDG. Granted, those were big widebody jets (LH and AF respectively) but it does happen, not just at those airports but at many other major European airports.
And not just in Europe, but other countries around the world have airports where dual front and rear boarding is carried out on a regular basis. The U.S. is blessed to have airports with a jetway for each aircraft. Not so in other countries, especially at major hubs like FRA and CDG where jetways are at a premium. Even at LHR, some flights are boarded/disembarked via airstairs.
Being an aviation enthusiast myself, I would gladly take the offer to board via the stairs at the rear door if available and the weather was fine. No better way to experience ground ops and get a view of other planes (even for just a few seconds as it may be!).
And not just in Europe, but other countries around the world have airports where dual front and rear boarding is carried out on a regular basis. The U.S. is blessed to have airports with a jetway for each aircraft. Not so in other countries, especially at major hubs like FRA and CDG where jetways are at a premium. Even at LHR, some flights are boarded/disembarked via airstairs.
Being an aviation enthusiast myself, I would gladly take the offer to board via the stairs at the rear door if available and the weather was fine. No better way to experience ground ops and get a view of other planes (even for just a few seconds as it may be!).
I'm surprised they (correctly) used "apron" instead of "tarmac"!! Kudos to them!
apron, ramp, and tarmac can be used interchangeably, with tarmac being the least preferred. At some airports, the ramp area, which can be a ATC non-movement area, can be controlled by a Ramp controller.
I think what Christos was referring to was that most hard surface areas on the airport in the 121 world are not paved with asphalt (an actual tarmac surface) due to weight bearing issues but the term ramp or apron is more appropriate.
Splitting hairs ... I get it ... as tarmac has been the slang term for years.
Splitting hairs ... I get it ... as tarmac has been the slang term for years.
"De-boarding" shouldn't happen anywhere. I prefer to exit a plane, Sometimes I leave the plane. When I want to use two words I get off the plane.
Surprised they don’t unboard instead!