That airport ramp in Phoenix almost got me killed last summer

I was working a line shift at Sky Harbor around 2pm in July and a maintanence guy left a fuel hose draped across the tarmac near gate B12. My towbar caught it and sprayed jet fuel all over my cart before the shutoff kicked in. Anyone else had close calls with gear left on the ramp during rush?

3 comments

3 Comments

jordanblack20d ago

Read some safety report a while back about ramp crews in Phoenix specifically calling out fuel hoses left in the way. Sounds like that guy's lucky you didn't get cooked.

jana_hart1820d ago

That fuel hose thing is bad enough, but what about the hidden trip hazard from those recessed tie-down rings in the asphalt. On a hot day they blend right in with the blacktop and I've seen guys catch a boot and go down hard with a bag cart behind them. Wouldn't a bright orange paint job on those things cut down on ramp injuries.

wendysanchez20d ago

And that sounds familiar because I was wondering - did anyone from your company actually follow up with the maintenance supervisor about that hose? Because in my experience at a different hub, those near misses get reported but no one ever goes back to check if the same guy is still leaving gear out there. Seems like the real problem isn't the equipment itself but whether management is actually holding people accountable after incidents.