r/fearofflying • u/FigInfamous4968 • 11h ago

Question Pre flight check

I noticed my incoming aircraft did a go around and then I saw both pilots do a walk around the aircraft before departure. Is that normal?

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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u/vip-bot 11h ago edited 10h ago

There are 3 comments from verified aviation professionals in this post:

u/​MrSilverWolf_ commented:

Required before and after every flight, it’s to ensure your safety as passengers

u/​pattern_altitude commented:

Yeah… preflight inspections are normal.

u/​flyboy130 commented:

Yup

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5

u/flyboy130 Airline Pilot 11h ago

Yup

3

u/pattern_altitude Private Pilot 10h ago

Yeah… preflight inspections are normal.

3

u/MrSilverWolf_ Airline Pilot 10h ago

Required before and after every flight, it’s to ensure your safety as passengers

2

u/MiaStirCrazies 9h ago

One of my favorite plane spotting spots is the United Club overlooking gate F10 at O'Hare. I'm fascinated by the operations that happen from the time a plane pulls up to the gate, to the time it leaves. I'm sure I'm grisly oversimplifying all of this, but from what I see:

  • Ramp agent puts the chocks against the wheel (the triangle things that act like the emergency brake)

  • Jet bridge is moved up to the plane

  • Pilot exits the jet bridge and does a walk around

  • Ground power is connected

  • Luggage belt pulls up to the back of the plane and cargo door opens

  • Luggage starts coming out and is loaded onto carts

  • Fuel truck pulls up to fuel the plane

  • Unloaded luggage is driven away

  • Luggage for the next flight pulls up and is loaded

  • Fuel truck is disconnected and drives away

  • New pilot exits the jet bridge for their walk around

  • Tug is connected to the front of the plane

  • Jet Bridge is moved away

  • Ground power disconnected

  • Chocks removed

  • Tug pushes the plane away from the gate

All of this happens in under 30 minutes. All the while, passengers are unloaded, new passengers boarded, and new pilots do their safety checks and paperwork. It's amazing to watch every checklist item happen like clockwork, every single time. To answer your question directly, yes, it's all normal, and all routine so your flight operates safely.