One of United Airlines' new dual Y shaped boarding jet bridges collasped on a plane last week. The jet bridge suffered a "major structural failure" as it was connecting to the rear door of a United plane.
"We are currently in the process of moving the bridge and then moving the aircraft and taking a look at the damage," said United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy.
The arm that hooks up to the rear of the aircraft — which uses sensors to automatically connect to the door — apparently is the one that malfunctioned and crashed into the wing of the Boeing 757.
McCarthy said she didn't yet know whether the United will temporarily discontinue using the other new bridges while it investigates the incident.
I know I was all for the dual boarding bridges but I'm starting to rethink their use. The gates are used to enplane and deplane passengers more quickly but with all the security, bag matching, and various other issues that might arrise during the boarding process, a quicker turn around, especially at a hub airport does not seem such a neccessity. And does saving 5 or 10 mins. on the ground consitute taking a plane out of service for a few days as repairs are done after the jetbridge damages the aircraft? It is a toss up. United has yet to decide if they will expand the dual Y shaped jet bridges to other airports.
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