Airport Security Question

MHanlon · Dec 11, 2006

In a story I'm writing, my main character is trying to escape airport security. Currently I have him escaping by running down a boarding ramp, which does not have a plane waiting, and lowering himself onto the runway. Does anyone know if this is feasible?

- Brian

sharra · Dec 11, 2006

I'd say if it's present day, the odds of him getting shot trying this is pretty high.
It also depends where the story is set - if it's in one of the countries currently on high alert, he'll have a serious problem. If it's a smaller place (country & airport) where security is more relaxed, he could manage it.

a tree of night · Dec 11, 2006

The ramps are typically locked if there's no plane waiting. If one was left open or he managed to steal a key or code, it's hypothetically possible. He'll want to choose his gate wisely, though. If he goes through a gate that was ready for an Airbus A380, he might be in for a pretty steep drop. If, on the other hand, he went out the gate for a 14-seat prop-job, it'd deposit him directly on runway level.

alices · Dec 11, 2006

Just a note, all of the jetways have a right exiting stairway down to the ramp level. BTW - it's a looong way from the ramp to the runway.

MHanlon · Dec 11, 2006

Thanks for your responses. The plane is a 737, so it wouldn't be that far of a drop. He's just an average guy caught in a bad situation so he doesn't have time to get a key or key code. I could perhaps make him force someone to open the door if need be. I did not know about the right existing stairway down to the ramp. I guess that stairwell is used to load baggage that cannot fit on the plane. Is that door typically locked? Is the door obvious for someone to see if they are being chased? Also, if he were to run, how long would it take to get to a runway before police arrived. The airport used in the story is Newark-Liberty. He does ultimately get shot on the runway.

alices · Dec 11, 2006

MHanlon said:
Thanks for your responses. The plane is a 737, so it wouldn't be that far of a drop. He's just an average guy caught in a bad situation so he doesn't have time to get a key or key code. I could perhaps make him force someone to open the door if need be. I did not know about the right existing stairway down to the ramp. I guess that stairwell is used to load baggage that cannot fit on the plane. Is that door typically locked? Is the door obvious for someone to see if they are being chased? Also, if he were to run, how long would it take to get to a runway before police arrived. The airport used in the story is Newark-Liberty. He does ultimately get shot on the runway.

If there is no aircraft at the gate, the Jetway is typically pulled back into a "parked" position and only extended after the arriving aircraft has come to a stop. In the normal parked position you would be looking at a drop of 12-14 feet, doesn't sound like much unless you’re staring at concrete!

The right exit door is very obvious and never locked. Security is assumed by the locked/closed doors from the terminal to the Jetway.

MHanlon · Dec 11, 2006

Thanks, alices. When you say "the Jetway is pulled back into a parked position" How far is it pulled back? I'm having a hard time visualizing what it would look like. It sounds like I'm better off with the steps. Thanks again.

alices · Dec 11, 2006

The Jetways are pulled back far enough to permit the largest aircraft that could arrive at that specific gate sufficient room to pull in. With regards to time to run from the ramp to the runway, using Newark-Liberty airport, it would depend on what gate and what runway (2 long runways, 1 short). My guess would be a minimum of 600 feet. You can check a map and try and gauge the distance. The runways are 150 feet wide.

Take the steps, and run into the baggage handling area! The ramp and runway are too open...unless you want him shot.

MHanlon · Dec 11, 2006

Thanks again.

Cat Scratch · Dec 11, 2006

MH, if you don't mind using serendipity as a plot device, he could see personel coming through a doorway leading to said boarding ramp, and have him barrel through before the person realizes what is happening. This is easier than having him try to get a key or something. There is a spot at the end of those little ramps where the person operating the ramp sits, and that person could be exiting after a plane has just left and they retracted the ramp.

MHanlon · Dec 12, 2006

Thanks, Cat Scratch. It would probably be the most realistic approach to take.

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