Captain Chris: LAX sunsets, hit different.
Sharing the thoughts of Captain Chris from 5th May 2024. You can see more of his thoughts on social media / Instagram HERE
Tom Bradley International Terminal affectionately known as “TiBiT” is where big jets from all over the world park briefly before departing again to the four corners of the globe.
As soon as the passengers have disembarked, the flight and cabin crew, hand the aircraft over to the ground staff who coordinate an impressive time-sensitive orchestra of logistics known as the “Turn-Around”
The Turnaround Coordinator immediately ushers onboard a waiting team of cleaners to prepare the cabin for the next departure. At the same time, Caterers arrive on scissor-jack trucks at the right front and rear doors to remove all the food and beverage carts and replace them with catering for the next flight. The return crew normally arrive as the cleaning and catering is almost complete, to run through their safety checks and prepare for boarding and an ontime departure. As pilots we allow about an hour to run through cockpit checks, prepare for our flight and brief, although this can be done in 45 mins.
Outside it’s just as busy and time-critical; Cargo and baggage is removed from the airliners belly. Although it’s only empty for a few moments before being reloaded with the next sector’s payloads. Toilet/waste water tanks are emptied and fresh water is replenished.
Pumping tonnes of fuel into the airliners many fuel tanks takes time. Therefore the tanks are filled to a standby figure and topped up once the return sector pilots arrive and confirm their flight plan requirements.
Engineers run through onboard and exterior checks, top up the engine oil and conduct any minor maintenance and sometimes scheduled maintenance.
Airliners sitting on the ground aren’t earning money and parking at big International Terminals like TiBiT doesn’t come cheap. Airlines are allocated parking spaces charged by the minute. A big jet needs around 2 hours to be “turned-around” and many airlines try to do it in 90 mins. A delay will impact the next inbound airliner and delays can be very expensive.
📸 Credit @airside_rory Epic shot