clicker is sitting in a civvie herk at Grotwick, crew have the pushback clearance from ATC and so inform the pushback crew we are ready to go.
They come back with a "sorry can't do, the towbar has broken." A few more questions and we find that the only herk towbar at Grotwick is the one in front of us, spare is at Thiefrow. Umm problem, due to sked crew will be out of hours before that gets to us.
"Grotwick Ground, NxxxST, can we reverse off the stand please?
"Negative due night time noise restrictions"
"Cockpit to Tug, can you send your chief to speak to us please"
A little conversation and agreement reached and so pushback resumes. Well pushback was not quite the right word to use. We did a power run on four engines in reverse pitch.
Tug and broken towbar kindly escort us to the taxiway center line so we don't get lost. Grotwick Ground, NxxxST readly for taxi."
Always wondered if any noise complaints got recorded that night.
