Driverless pushback tugs
Just arrived home on a Virgin B737-800 at Sydney.
Before disembarking I was watching the aircraft at the next gate - also a B737-800. The pushback tug was attached to the port landing gear NOT the nosewheel AND it did not have a driver. The ground crew person (with comms cable attached to the aircraft) followed the aircraft by foot and at the end of the pushback he unplugged his comms cable from the aircraft and then went to the tug, climbed in and manually drove it away.
I have never seen this before.
How long have remote controlled tugs been used?
Also is it only Virgin who use the rear door to embark/disembark the passengers in the rear of the aircraft instead of via the airbridge? Not so easy climbing the stairs with unchecked luggage.
Thanks