Airline safety - the last link

[Kip Powick]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Another interesting airline tradition explained.

We've all seen those brave airline Captains just before they begin to taxi after a pushback. They always look at their fist to see if their thumb is sticking straight up.

The pushback crew on the ground agrees and mimics the pilot's action, confirming that ,”yes”, the thumb IS sticking straight up. He then waves goodbye and the Captain continues his taxi out.

Recently I talked to another retired airline pilot who told me the real reason for this time-tested traditional exchange between the Captain and the pushback crew. This is actually the last link in an airline’s flight safety net. The Captain and pushback crew are confirming - just prior to takeoff - that the Captain does not have both his thumbs up his ass.

And here I always thought they were just confirming that nothing looked amiss as the plane rolled out.

thx DM