I have been watching Martin Pauly on YouTube and..

Morgan3820

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It has brought up a question. When at a larger airport with line guys offering parking guidance, you are in the plane doing all that is needed prior to actually calling ground and he/she is standing there waiting. I always feel rushed as I feel bad for them just standing there waiting. I know that it is his job but I wish they wouldn't bother. Does anyone else feel rushed in these situations. How do you signal the line guy that you are actually ready to move?

And Martin is great. Good video production. Watching him go in/out of the largest Class B airports is inspiring.
 
Run his arse over if he doesn't move outa your way!

No, NEVER let anyone rush you. You could try to chat with him beforehand and tell him you're good and don't need his services. He's accustomed to it, even longer with corporate jets. Other than that, take your time and when you're ready to taxi signal him, thumbs up or similar. No middle finger though.
 
Most of the time the delay is short, even calling CD doesn’t take long, so the lineman is used to the wait. If I’m going to be unduly delayed such as waiting for the oil to warm I’ll talk to the lineman before I start. Other option is just tell the lineman you don’t need marshaled out.
 
I know what you mean, but honestly I don't think they mind. I always make a few circles with my finger to let them know I'm about to start up, and they seem to appreciate that. After that, they seem OK to wait while all checklist stuff is being done.
 
Run his arse over if he doesn't move outa your way!

No, NEVER let anyone rush you. You could try to chat with him beforehand and tell him you're good and don't need his services. He's accustomed to it, even longer with corporate jets. Other than that, take your time and when you're ready to taxi signal him, thumbs up or similar. No middle finger though.
Let's repeat that one, with emphasis:
No, NEVER let anyone rush you.

Don't worry about the time it takes. That's their job. They do that with the corporate guys and even the Part 135 and 121 guys. They are used to IFR flights, picking up clearances in the cockpit.

As you said, you could try letting them know you don't need it, but the sense I've gotten is they are there less for you that to ensure you don't hit something else - like a $14 Million jet - on the way out.
 
If you are at a large airport with a TSA security perimeter, he's probably your security escort (is he wearing a picture ID badge?) and required to stay there till you taxi out. Regardless, don't rush.
 
Flash the landing light when you're ready. Don't worry about him waiting... It's his job and they are use to it..
 
I’ve always assumed that their presence is mandated by management, which in turn is guided by insurance liability. In any case, it can be a real test of distraction management.

Obviously, don’t hurry because someone is standing there (in the rain).

On the other hand don’t hurry because he/she isn’t there yet.... whoops, they left a Traffic cone in front! (Don’t ask)


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I’ve always assumed that their presence is mandated by management, which in turn is guided by insurance liability. In any case, it can be a real test of distraction management.

Obviously, don’t hurry because someone is standing there (in the rain).

On the other hand don’t hurry because he/she isn’t there yet.... whoops, they left a Traffic cone in front! (Don’t ask)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Or chalks, er chocks. Don't ask me either.
 
Agree with Mac; signal ready to go by flashing landing light once.

If conditions are right* I will tell the lineperson as I am loading, 'I waive the marshalling if (Signature/MA/Atlantic, etc) permits' and usually they will haul off cheerfully to their drink and football game. Some say they are required to, that's fine. Of course there are some situations you want all the help you can get so that is only *if the ramp is about empty.
Sometimes you end up staring at each other for interminable minutes waiting for a clearance, oh well.
 
At night, if all possible I try to turn off the landing lights before turning into the parking spot that I am being marshalled to so I don't blind the marshaller.

Same when leaving. I just let the plane roll a very little bit to attract attention, then turn on the landing lights as I turn.
 
I used to do some marshaling for a cargo airline. Waiting is as much a part of the job as anything else.....and I've had to wait and wait and wait at times, even in the FREEEEEZING cold or the pouring rain.

Flashing your high beams to say you're ready is the way to go, of course at night I could never see into the cockpit for any other signal anyway.
 
At the FBO at KFTW we were required to stand out there and wait for (management) safety reasons. It was sometimes the closest thing to a break we got!

Definitely don't rush, a lot of pilots take their time and we get used to how long it takes to get ready on average. For courtesy at least yell clear prop or use hand gestures for engine start. The signal when you are ready is a landing light flash. At night still use the same signal - just don't leave it on. Taxiing in at night, turn it off before the final turn towards the line tech. They know you are coming and have likely picked out a clear spot for you. Trust but verify though.

If the FBO is attentive the line techs will know you are coming either by ground radio/flightaware/visual.
 
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It has brought up a question. When at a larger airport with line guys offering parking guidance, you are in the plane doing all that is needed prior to actually calling ground and he/she is standing there waiting. I always feel rushed as I feel bad for them just standing there waiting. I know that it is his job but I wish they wouldn't bother. Does anyone else feel rushed in these situations. How do you signal the line guy that you are actually ready to move?

And Martin is great. Good video production. Watching him go in/out of the largest Class B airports is inspiring.
Do I 'feel' rushed? Kinda, I guess. I'm aware he's waiting on me. Do I 'rush?' No
 
A typical marshalling sequence:

Marshalling in:
  • LST signals parking spot
  • Pilot heads towards direction LST is facing
  • LST signals aircraft to turn
  • LST signals move ahead
  • LST signals to stop
  • LST waits for engine spindown
  • Optional: LST confirms brakes set signal with pilot
  • LST chocks aircraft, signals chocks in, pilot confirms
  • LST meets crew/pax at door, arranges services

Marshalling out:
  • LST checks door closed and locked properly, starts quick walk around, pins removed, torque links set, no remove before flight covers, stands at front of aircraft.
  • Pilot signals remove chocks, LST removes chocks and signals to confirm chocks removed
  • Situational: Pilot signals remove GPU, LST removes GPU and signals GPU removed
  • (Turbine) Pilot signals #1 engine start, LST confirms engine start, moves in front of engine, signals rotation and watches for issues. Repeat for other engines.
  • (Piston) Pilot signals #1 engine start, LST confirms engine start and backs up.
  • LST waits for pilot to get ground clearance etc.
  • Pilot flashes landing light to move
  • LST marshals and turns aircraft outbound
  • LST salute, pilot salute
 
I have flown with Martin and he is great! Nothing like showing up for a trip to Madison for breakfast and being asked if you would be okay making a detour down the Chicago shoreline on the way home.

As for the lineman. Obviously don't worry about him and feel rushed. When I did it we were required to be out there to make sure nothing/nobody did anything stupid or that anything was forgotten (chocks). That being said if management was gone for the day and you were the only one on the ramp we would probably just walk you out, get the chocks and hang out until you were in the plane before heading back in.
 
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