Why Your Plane Is Getting Hosed Down With Green Liquid
And Why You Should Be Glad
By Pilot Nick — ⏱ 7 min read
You’re sitting at the gate. It’s January. Boarding was on time, the doors are closed, and then… nothing happens.
A few minutes pass. Then you see it through the window — a truck pulling up with a long mechanical arm, and suddenly your airplane is getting hosed down with a bright green (or orange) liquid. The captain comes on and says something about “de-icing procedures” and a brief delay.
Half the cabin groans. A few people pull out their phones to text about running late.
But here’s the thing: what you just watched might be the single most important thing that happens to your airplane all day.
And from the cockpit, we’re not frustrated by the delay.
We requested it.
Let me show you what’s really going on.
Lessons From The Flight Deck ✈ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
