Airport worker goes viral showing tape that ‘holds planes together’ | The Independent

2022-06-24 23:33:18 By : Ms. winnie sun

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Some TikTok users were unaware of ‘speed tape’

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Some social media users were unaware that tape is used to fix minor cracks

An airport worker who shared images of tape that “holds planes together” on TikTok has caused alarm among flyers.

The airport ground agent, TikTok user “11:11”, posted several photos and videos of planes with their wings, engines, and other body parts taped-up.

Although tape is commonly used to cover cracks on planes, many flyers were seemingly unaware of the practice.

“I’m literally waiting to get on my flight right now, don’t do this to me,” one commentor wrote in alarm.

“Me intensely staring at the piece of duct tape holding the wing together the entire flight to be certain it stays on,” another commented.

One TikTok user wrote: “Planes are statistically safer than driving. But I still hate it lol”.

The post, which was titled “Any other rampers notice this all the time,” included seven examples of planes with tape on their wings, engines and bodies.

The airport ramper wrote in an overlay caption on the TikTok: “[When] you start to notice all the tape and flex seal that holds planes together”.

Many TikTok users said airplanes are taped with a high performance aluminium tape called “speed tape”, which is used to fix minor cracks. It is not the same as duct tape.

“Calling it tape and flex seal is so misleading I love it,” a viewer of the now-viral TikTok video wrote, causing the airport ground agent to reply: “Shhh, they’ll never know”.

The video has been viewed more than 1.6 million times.

Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism

By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists

{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}

By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

Already have an account? sign in

By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism

By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists

{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}

By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

Already have an account? sign in

By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Some social media users were unaware that tape is used to fix minor cracks

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Or if you would prefer: