Travelers are confused by airport staff who appear to be walking “in chains,” but the truth behind this unique sight has finally been revealed.
If you've ever stared out of the plane's window while taxiing the runway, you may have spotted a ground crew that appears to be leading the aircraft with a long rope.
This strange scene may give the impression that workers are using “leashes” to guide the plane, but in reality it is not. It is impossible for one person to physically pull the plane, and on top of that, the pilot can drive the plane completely onto the runway.
The actual role of an individual with a so-called “leash” is completely different. Industry insiders explain that the long rope is actually an extended headphone cable.
This setup allows ground operatives to connect the headset straight to the aircraft and establish a direct line of communication with the cockpit. They hold the cables high to prevent them from being entangled with the plane's wheels.
The mystery was solved in Tiktok when vacationers uploaded footage of a man performing this task outside the plane. The confused poster asked:
The female video quickly gained responses from individuals familiar with air travel protocols, including airport staff and pilots. They informed her that the tarmac people need to maintain direct communication with the pilot and communicate critical information in advance.
The individual commented: “According to his father, who works on the plane, he wears a headset connected to the aircraft, so he constantly communicates with the pilot in the event of an accident or an aircraft malfunction. The code is long enough so that the pilot can see him visually.”
Another contributed: “This is my actual job and if it's safe for the pilot to make sure everything is working fine and keep them ready to depart, we're there to advise the pilot! Also, we'll oversee the trucks towing the plane, as the nose gear of the plane is so delicate!”
But there was also a moment of joking in the serious comments. A tongue statement from budget airline Ryanair suggested that the plane simply “needs a walkie.”
One commenter humorously states: “Here's the pilot. The clip obviously cuts off before he can do his job. He pulls the line hard several times to start the engine. Think of it like a lawn mower.
A playful retort from others said, “Aerodynamic expert here, he actually runs on the ropes and runs into the air like a kit.”
The subject also sparked a debate on the Reddit forum, where individuals who are tasked with providing additional eyes to support the pilot are called “wingwalkers.”
The Pilot Academy website supports this information and features a glossary definition of “Wing Walker,” which reads “employees on the ground walking along the wing to ensure there are no collisions and assisting the aircraft's ground movement.”
