I was talking the other day with a gate agent at Delta and he was telling me what a difference it makes when there's a camera under the jet bridge. It's so much easier to avoid damage to property and injuries to people when you can see what's around the jet bridge.
I know from my own experience how difficult it is to maneuver jet bridges in a congested space, especially with the pressure to make a schedule and without the number of people that used to be available to assist on the ground.
So why aren't more cameras deployed at airport jet bridges? Many cars have backup cameras as standard features yet we expect gate agents to maneuver large, awkward pieces of equipment without being able to see the hazards around them.
These cameras are very inexpensive to buy and install and could save potentially thousands of dollars in damage to both equipment and aircraft – not to mention the injuries that could be spared to people on the ramp. I once saw a mechanic almost get his leg severed by jet bridge stairs. The jet bridge backed up and the stairs pinned him against some equipment. I know others have met similar fates.
Given how inexpensive these cameras are and how much money they can save, I can't fathom why they aren't used everywhere. What's your experience with cameras on jet bridges? I would love to know why you think they're not used more universally.
