Do they push the gate or the plane?

Question

we had an argument at work:

The jetway of a large (747-ish) plane broke, in this situation would they push the jetway (somehow) back from the plane, or use a tug to pull the plane first away from the jetway, then push it out?

Answer 1

The Jetway extends to reach the plane.

Answer 2

they can disengage the drive mechanism on the jetway and pull it away from the plane.  After they get enough clearance, they would then push the plane back as normal.

Answer 3

you wouldhave pull the jet way back or you would damage the plane/

Answer 4

I have had to do this, due to a power problem in the terminal. I unhooked the pushback tractor, disconnected the towbar, and had the pilot turn the nose wheel so that it was pointed at an angle away from the jetway, reconnected the towbar, and the pushback tractor. At the time to leave, the crew closed the door, and I use the tractor to push the aircraft away from the jetway.

Once the aircraft had departed, we used the tractor to move the jetway out of the way, and soon after power was restored.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 5

They push out the gate. If they pushed out the plane, they would be wasting much energy and sometimes fuel. It would be easier to push out the gate instead of the plane. That is why they push out the gate!

Answer 6

Normally they would fix or push/pull the bridge away from the plane.  

At my previous job, we've had to do this more than a few times.  We would disconnect the tow bar from the tug and move it so the tires are pointed a few degrees to the left, takes 2 or 3 people to pick up and move the towbar, reposition the and reconnect the tug, then just push.  Since the wheels are pointed left, pushing back makes the front of the plane move right, away from the bridge. If there's a small gap between the bridge and  plane, the tug driver just has to steer right (toward the left side of the plane, the side the jet bridge is on),

If they saw me doing this at my current job, they would probably fire me.

Answer 7

move the jet from the jet way. It wont damage ****! Just angle the plane away from it, isn't rocket science people...