What does the thumbs up signal to the aircraft mean?

During World War II, pilots on US aircraft carriers adopted the thumbs up gesture to alert the deck crew that they were ready to go and that the wheel chocks could be removed. On modern US carriers, specific deck crew hold a thumb up to signal to the pilot and control tower that their station is OK for take-off.



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The duties of an aircraft marshaller focus on guiding planes at an airport. In this job, you signal the pilots in an airplane, directing them to a gate and positioning the airplane so it can connect to an air bridge or ramp. You may also drive a vehicle to lead the plane to the gate or out to the runway.

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With the marshallers orange or yellow vests, helmets, earmuffs, hand wands, etc., they make many visual signals to aircraft pilots on directions to take. Such signals as slowing down, turning, stopping, shutting down engines, and sometimes examining engines.

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The salute also signifies a transfer of control, a change of command if you will, from ground crew to air crew; a symbolic salute from maintenance to say; “Sir/Ma'am, you have the aircraft,” and a return salute stating; “Roger, I have the aircraft.” According to the International Civil Aeronautics Organization and the ...

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Depending on the airport, airline, and your level of experience, a whopping $14-$17 an hour. So, yes, clearly they do it for the love of illuminated orange sticks. Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun.

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If you are flying at 11,000 feet, you report this altitude as “one one thousand”. If you are flying at 11,500 feet, you say “one one thousand fife hundred”. These rules are valid for altitudes under 18,000 feet.

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