Originally Posted by
By George
The 747 is one of the few widebodies where you can see your wingtips from the cockpit window. In fact if you plonk your cheek on the glass you can see number one engine too. In a tight spot you can always use that secret look out the window technique. Coupled with slowing down there is no need to vacuum up half the airport.
I know of two pilots taxiing a 747-400, that were stopped short of the mark by the marsheller. They were pissed, because they both looked out the Capt's window and could clearly see there was nothing in their way. They couldn't understand why the marshaller stopped them early. After they got out of the aircraft, they decided to check their obstacle clearance, to show the marshaller he was wrong. When then got to the wingtip area, they could see they would have hit the object. The Capt was very experienced. Both Capt and FO were 100% sure they were safely clear of the object. In the -400, it is VERY difficult to tell how much room you have, and the 747-8 is worse.