Delta drivers?

Toobdrvr said:
"Hey ground, could you ask the aircraft facing us to kill their taxi light for a sec? We're getting blinded. Thanks. "...
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Why ask ATC to become involved? It opens them up to liability.

Edit to add: How about just using some common sense and respect.
 
mshunter said:
What's your FOM say about taxing with lights on at night. Specifically, when nose to nose with another aircraft? Are you allowed to turn them off?
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Generally we'll taxi with the taxi lights on to indicate that we're moving. If you're not moving, or not intending to immediately taxi, the lights should be off.

Sometimes people forget and leave them on. I have. It's that "human" thing where we're prone to such things.

We also have to turn all the lights on crossing a runway.
 
Derg said:
Generally we'll taxi with the taxi lights on to indicate that we're moving. If you're not moving, or not intending to immediately taxi, the lights should be off.

Sometimes people forget and leave them on. I have. It's that "human" thing where we're prone to such things.

We also have to turn all the lights on crossing a runway.
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Turning into the ramp is not crossing a runway. A CRJ has laughable lights. Holding a 3 cell mag light through the window and shining it on the taxiway works better than our lights do. But looking down the barrel of a 717's landing/taxi ligths forces us to basically stop right where we are because it's blinding. Same with just about every other aircraft except a CRJ. Like I said, if you are face to face, and there is no need for it, please turn them of is all I'm asking. When they still allowed FO's to touch lights at my shop, I'd wait till we the last possible second to turn on strobes, and turn off lights when there was a situation where someone would have to look at ours. It's a courtesy because it totally sucks when someone does it to us.

I flew a Cirrus for a while. They only have Strobes. When taxing at night, I'd turn them off as to not kill someone else's night vision when appropriate. It's just being good to the other guys out there. And it's not that difficult to do. It's flipping a switch.
 
mshunter said:
Turning into the ramp is not crossing a runway. A CRJ has laughable lights. Holding a 3 cell mag light through the window and shining it on the taxiway works better than our lights do. But looking down the barrel of a 717's landing/taxi ligths forces us to basically stop right where we are because it's blinding. Same with just about every other aircraft except a CRJ. Like I said, if you are face to face, and there is no need for it, please turn them of is all I'm asking. When they still allowed FO's to touch lights at my shop, I'd wait till we the last possible second to turn on strobes, and turn off lights when there was a situation where someone would have to look at ours. It's a courtesy because it totally sucks when someone does it to us.

I flew a Cirrus for a while. They only have Strobes. When taxing at night, I'd turn them off as to not kill someone else's night vision when appropriate. It's just being good to the other guys out there. And it's not that difficult to do. It's flipping a switch.
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Thanks for your input, however the moment I veer from the FOM and get nailed by a baggage cart as I'm moving without a taxi light on, I'm afraid "The internet said it wasn't nice" won't serve as much of a defense.

And on the aircraft, I'll bet you if you were in and out of KIAH on a regular basis, the beef would be with United.
 
The 717 has two options for the nose light. Taxi, which is super dim and doesn't illuminate much, and landing, which is rather bright. I'd guess a lot of the time guys have no idea which position the switch is in.
 
BobDDuck said:
The 717 has two options for the nose light. Taxi, which is super dim and doesn't illuminate much, and landing, which is rather bright. I'd guess a lot of the time guys have no idea which position the switch is in.
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The 'taxi' position on the LED-lit 320s are bright, the 'takeoff' position is like walking toward the "calm, loving being" down that hallway when you hit your head too hard.
 
Here's a tidbit from our FOM that came about with the FAA's emphasis on preventing runway/taxiway incursions:

AFTER LANDING
Once clear of the runway, delay after landing flows, nonessential communications and actions until
taxi route in relation to aircraft position is clearly understood by both crewmembers. Flight crews
will utilize the following priorities prior to accomplishing after landing items:
Priority 1. Maneuver the aircraft safely clear of the active runway.
Priority 2. Contact Ground Control to receive taxi instructions to the ramp. Both
crewmembers shall reference the Jeppesen Airport Plan View and concur on the
correct routing. It is critical that all crewmembers have a clear understanding
and verbally agree on the correct taxi routing and clearances to cross or hold
short of runways and taxiways. Crews will clarify any ambiguity with Ground
Control before proceeding.
Priority 3. Only after #1 and #2, accomplish aircraft clean-up items and checklists.

So, to correctly follow the book, one might have all the landing lights and flashy thingys on for a time after exiting the runway. Ground might be busy or you might need to mitigate taxi threats with your F/O before touching anything. All the while you are blasting guys on a ramp or taxiway. Sometimes you have to read between the lines and do what makes the most sense. Right?
 
Derg said:
Thanks for your input, however the moment I veer from the FOM and get nailed by a baggage cart as I'm moving without a taxi light on, I'm afraid "The internet said it wasn't nice" won't serve as much of a defense.

And on the aircraft, I'll bet you if you were in and out of KIAH on a regular basis, the beef would be with United.
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It's really a lot more simple than that. When we are sitting there nose to nose, turn the damn thing off. When you start your turn, or see a reason for safety, turn it back on. When you're aiming you lights at me for more than a minute, you've been sitting still for as much time, now you're just being an inconsiderate dick. (Not you specifically, just the guys that do it)
 
Derg said:
A little bit. It's their focus city, but not quite a hub yet. One day. Maybe after Skywest purchases United and all the Skywest lifers staple the UAL pilots. AMARITE? :)
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I heard that rumor too at the schoolhouse, it must be true. I know @CaptBill is looking forward to joining the largest regional airline. 8)
 
mshunter said:
Turning into the ramp is not crossing a runway.
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You are correct. Turning into the ramp, it is even more important to have the lights on. That way, the tug on the service road knows exactly how hard to gun it in order to beat you across the mouth of the ramp.

Seriously, find something better to gripe about, like how a Delta jumpseater tried to usurp your crj authority. We'll handle the lights on our aircraft.
 
brakechatter said:
You are correct. Turning into the ramp, it is even more important to have the lights on. That way, the tug on the service road knows exactly how hard to gun it in order to beat you across the mouth of the ramp.

Seriously, find something better to gripe about, like how a Delta jumpseater tried to usurp your crj authority. We'll handle the lights on our aircraft.
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*smh*

That's pretty much what I said. Turn them on when your on the ramp. But FFS, have a little respect for other crews around you.


P.S. I have yet to jump seat on my own metal. And I willingly walk off the airplane when someone wants their own metals seat.
 
I think the point is, we can only fly one jet at a time. I'll do whatever I can to be nice, but being nice isn't my priority.

ps- I don't know what seat you sit in, but if you get this worked up over lights, I can't imagine flying a trip with you would be much fun.
 
mshunter said:
*smh*

That's pretty much what I said. Turn them on when your on the ramp. But FFS, have a little respect for other crews around you.


P.S. I have yet to jump seat on my own metal. And I willingly walk off the airplane when someone wants their own metals seat.
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You've already dug your hole. Don't make it worse. Having respect for other crews means that if they leave their lights on at night, you say, it's night and shrug it off. That's what pros do. The other thing pros do is to NOT go on anonymous boards and lecture other pros. If you are operating in ATL, you need to be sure to put on your big boy pants.
 
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