Do you like using what are known at airports as remote stands, with which airplanes are parked on the remote part of the apron at an airport instead of at a gate that is equipped with a jet bridge?
Remote Stands: Like Them or Not?
Remote stands are typically used by certain airlines; with regional jets, propellor airplanes, and other types of smaller aircraft; and at certain airports around the world — especially those which do not have enough gates to accommodate traffic.
With airplanes parked at remote stands, passengers are either escorted from the gate out onto the apron using a staircase to board an airplane rather than an enclosed jet bridge; or exit the aircraft down a flight of stairs to be escorted across the apron back into the terminal building.
Disadvantages and advantages pertaining to the use of remote stands include:
Disadvantages of Remote Stands
- More time is usually needed between the gate and the aircraft — especially if a bus is involved — as the gate usually tends to be at ground level at the far corners of the airport terminal
- Inclement weather such as precipitation, wind, or cold temperatures does affect passengers — even if only for a few minutes
- Although elite level status members may board the bus first, that benefit is often typically negligible
- Gate areas for aircraft that are parked at remote stands tend to be smaller in size — and therefore usually more crowded — than those equipped with jet bridges
- When deplaning a larger aircraft, you could be waiting for your checked baggage at the bottom of the stairs
Advantages of Remote Stands
- Passengers get to enjoy the weather when it is terrific — such as a warm sunny day or a clear cool starry evening
- If you are an aviation enthusiast, you can get some of the best photographs of airplanes — and parts of the airport, for that matter — right there on the apron
- You get to feel like a world leader for a few seconds — no world leader who is worth his or her salt would ever dare use a jet bridge, right?!? — and do not forget to turn around for a second and gesture that hand wave at your admiring constituents as you walk up those stairs; and women get extra points for wearing clean white gloves
- When leaving a smaller aircraft such as a regional jet, your checked baggage may be waiting for you at the bottom of the stairs
- Finding a parking spot for the aircraft out on the apron is usually easier than to find an available open gate if the flight concludes early
Final Boarding Call
I have used remote stands multiple times at airports around the world over the years — such as in Rome, Dublin, and Shanghai. I personally prefer not to use remote stands in general myself; but I certainly do not hate using them and will usually not rant about them.
Am I missing anything from the above lists? Please let your thoughts be known in the Comments section below. Thank you.
All photographs ©2014, ©2015, ©2018, and ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
