Where do they go?

[Passenger Mark]

Hey Captain!

As I am sure you are aware, we had some devastating storms here in Tennessee last week. Unfortunate loss of life, and incredible property damage.

The tornadoes/storms that did all the damage started in the southwest portion of the state, traveling Northeast. They actually went up and over Nashville, coming back down in Gallatin, traveling on some 42 miles where they caused so much damage in the northern portion of the state.

When such a storm approaches so close to an airport, as they did at BNA, what are the procedures?

Is it typical to close the airport? Where do the aircraft on the ground go? I know in hurricanes they attempt to relocate aircraft... would they do the same?

I would imagine that an aircraft parked at the gate would stand little chance against a tornado, or straight-line winds.

[tusphotog]

This will give you an idea of what happens to planes in straight line winds/microbursts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDLyssxqabc

The title of this is "airplane crash" which is totally false.

[Passenger Mark]

Thanks TUS!

That is what I thought would happen!

And I guess that also answered my question... They just leave the planes at the gate!

Can you imagine the pilot coming out the next morning to do his walk-around? Thinking to themselves... "Someone did a lousy job parking this plane last night!"

[Captain Hutch]

Mark,

They do attempt to relocate if they think the storms/storm will be severe and there is time to get crews to do it. Of course, however, that's not always possible. And I don't know of any possible procedure to "tie them down", like with the little planes.

Hutch :)

[Passenger Mark]

Mark,

They do attempt to relocate if they think the storms/storm will be severe and there is time to get crews to do it. Of course, however, that's not always possible. And I don't know of any possible procedure to "tie them down", like with the little planes.

Hutch :)


Thanks Captain!

I wondered about tying them down... but (and this is a guess) I'm thinking that due to the size and weight of a commercial airliner... tying it down may cause more damage, than to just let it spin (as in the video)! :eek: