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An Inside Look at How the Ground Crew Turns a Plane

Aug. 30, 2016
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3 min read
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An Inside Look at How the Ground Crew Turns a Plane
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One of the most hectic scenes at an airport can be seen from looking out your window down onto the tarmac. People zipping around directing pilots, cars yielding to oncoming aircraft and catering orders being filled. But among all the chaos and movement, there is order and organization, and thanks to United's Big Metal Bird series, we have an opportunity to understand everything that goes into turning a plane.

Previously, we've looked at the inner workings of flight attendants, and now we can see the tasks of the ground crew. These are the people responsible for bringing in aircraft, equipping them for their next trip and getting them out of the gate and ready for takeoff.

The ground crew plugs in the air conditioning.

Have you ever boarded a plane and it's a sweltering hot cabin? Well, the ground crew is responsible for connecting air conditioning, which is pumped in through a large yellow tube. The ground crew also plugs in the power.

The food and beverages won't refill themselves — that's where catering comes in.

Then, we get a look at the catering operations. The food and beverages don't just magically appear on your tray table — the galley is restocked with a variety of pre-selected items before takeoff.

Keeping track of all the bags on board requires many hands.

Also, the ground crew's responsible for getting your bags where they need to go. So, they'll get a list of everything that's coming off the plane — cargo, bags, pets, etc. — and make sure it gets to its final destination, whether it be at that location or via a transfer.

And on the flip side of that, they'll load up the next flight's luggage so it's ready to go. As you'll see, bags are loaded "wheels up" to prevent any from sliding back down the ramp.

The cargo compartment carries everything from cars to pets.

They'll also head to the cargo compartment and load up everything that comes through the carrier's cargo operation. All of the odd-shaped, heavy, occasionally live cargo that needs to be transported — it's all stored here.

The move team will save the company fuel money.

After the aircraft's been refueled, unloaded, catered and loaded back up, the move team will do just as the name describes — move the aircraft to the runway so it's ready for takeoff.

Sending the aircraft off is the final step.

And finally, the ground crew sends the aircraft and its passengers and crew off — probably not all the time with a wave and blowing kisses, but you get the idea.

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Follow along with United's Big Metal Bird series on its YouTube page.

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Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.