On a Jet2 757 a few weeks ago after about a 4.5hour flight from MAN to TLV.

Landed perfectly well and taxied towards the terminal, although there was a short stop en-route for other traffic to clear the apron. As we got to within say 20 metres of the stop line, the aircraft stopped and the pilot announced that we should stay seated as the aircraft was being towed to the final parking point.

Why? I have never experienced this before at any airport.

Yes, I recall this at TLV. I think it was for a tight parking stand that pilots really wouldn't want to risk their 'No Claim Bonus' for! There are other places this happens at- LAX International Terminal was another, and some gates at SFO for a while. Certain gates at Terminal 4 LHR. Once when I forgot and taxied straight onto a tow-in stand in a 747, it created humungous trouble. A loader on stands well behind 'fell' and was off work for several weeks. About 200 video cameras (this is in the world's most CCTV'd country!) picked me up immediately and I was made to visit ramp and parking control and generally grovel and apologise, and was severely interviewed by the 2nd Assistant Flight Manager's Assistant, and was thrashed. They take it seriously.

They'd kept us waiting out on the taxiway for 40 minutes, and I was rather P'dO and v tired after a VERY long flight.

Thanks

Now you mention it, the gate was at an awkward position so towing makes sense.

Los Angeles LAX has done this at certain terminals/gates for the last 30 years or more.

Happens in LAX at the Tom Bradly terminal all the time as the space is very narrow for most of the widebodies so you are towed onto stand pretty much every time.

It also used to happen in T4 at LHR a lot although its been a long time since i last operated out of the narrow gates there!

I know i have experienced it somewhere else aswell not too long ago but its straining me to think of where!

Newark? the 777s used to go right up onto stand but SOP for the last 18 months or so seems to be tow on to stand. The BA stands in Newark look frightningly tight.

It can also be the practice for noise reasons - for example at certain stands round the back of T4 at LHR, both tow-in and tow-out with engines shut down were required at one stage - and may be more critical during night hours.

Noise, restricted manoeuvring and jet efflux are the usual reasons for tow-in/out. It is certainly not an infrequent occurrence.


JD
:)