Amazing that this bridge was built before A380s existed… but my DAD still wouldn’t drive under it when one rolls over
Posted by Sparrowx0x1x@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 199 comments
Frosty-Inspector-465@reddit
dam.....planes are fukn HUGE
and_another_dude@reddit
Your dad is an annoying baby.
Careless-Bit-5599@reddit
ORD - I love chicago
Fantastic_Egg949@reddit
This would make my week driving up and under this beauty 😍
Evilbred@reddit
I mean the bridge likely has a far higher load rating than the A380, elsewise it wouldn't be allowed.
Loud_Boysenberry_736@reddit
Elsewise is my new word of the day. Thanks!
And while I agree with your engineering reasoning, I wouldn’t drive under it with those nice planes going on it. I’d try to stop safely and appreciate the sight. Maybe even take a picture or two.
apatrol@reddit
Wouldn't be safe though. Stopping in a busy road while everyone watches the plane is a great way to get hit at 40mph.
Stoppimg is 99.99999999% more likely to cause injury than that plane
jeepfail@reddit
Been hit while at a standstill by someone going 40+, would not recommend.
flume@reddit
I'd wager it's significantly more than 100% tbh
apatrol@reddit
I didnt want some statistics dude find one plane that drove off a bridge and crushed a car.
flume@reddit
Still, it could be 300% more safe.
jeppps@reddit
Don't worry in peak hour you're basically stopped anyway
Loud_Boysenberry_736@reddit
Agreed. That’s why I said stop safely. Maybe there’s an emergency lane or bay somewhere behind where the video starts.
MapleMapleHockeyStk@reddit
Stupid sexy planes!!!
Infinite-Condition41@reddit
Great, thanks for the fucking car accidents.
Multitronic@reddit
Don’t stop on motorways just to appreciate planes. They are already dangerous places.
Evilbred@reddit
Fair enough!
aaronhayes26@reddit
Engineers are very fond of futureproofing when it comes to bridges. You don’t have to know the exact specs to know that planes in 50+ years could likely be extremely heavy.
Building a bridge that can hold twice as much weight as it currently needs to is a lot cheaper than having to rip it out and build a new one prematurely.
greenmachine11235@reddit
If engineers had our way, bridges wouldn't ever fail but those pesky accountants demand we keep costs down.
OldEquation@reddit
As a project manager, I will say that if engineers had their way the design would never be completed and all the money in the world wouldn’t be enough to pay for it.
mjsarfatti@reddit
As an engineer, this project manager is 100% right.
Traditional_Pair3292@reddit
The Brooklyn bridge was something like 400x overbuilt if I remember correctly.
ScottOld@reddit
I would say so, given big fat antanovs have been around longer
EvilSibling@reddit
Sydney Airport did make a number of modifications to accommodate the new A380, including strengthening this bridge, referred to as the General Holmes Drive Tunnel in this case study
https://tbhconsultancy.com/experience/a380-project/
viroseo7@reddit
It's pretty impressive that they actually reinforced existing infrastructure instead of building entirely new routes.
Maleficent_Sir_5225@reddit
Sydney doesn't really have the room for that.
Infinite-Condition41@reddit
It isnt the weight of the plane, it is the distribution of the weight.
Big plane, but lots more wheels. Probably has the same or very similar loads on the ground as a 737 with only 4 main tires.
Math check 737, 175,000 pounds, 6 tires, 29,000 lb/tire A380 1,268,000 pounds, 22 tires, 57,600 lb/tire.
A380 tires are 27% wider and 25% taller, making a larger contact patch, meaning the pressure per unit area on the ground is likely very similar.
And it would have to be, since airport runways and taxiways dont magically get stronger for bigger planes.
Evilbred@reddit
It depends on the design of the bridge.
Often time, loads are concentrated, in structural supports, especially so it could be the aggregate weight on the entire bridge.
Infinite-Condition41@reddit
The bridge itself weighs far more than the plane, or any collection of planes that might be sitting on it. Most bridges' (all concrete bridges') primary load is their own weight.
Big-Sandwich207@reddit
Thank you for that mr sa
jared__@reddit
its not the engineering, its the construction.
orgpekoe2@reddit
…who do you think does the calculations to ensure something actually works?
purplehendrix22@reddit
Boom
lemonylol@reddit
It'd be like being worried about driving under a highway underpass full of cars.
Mole-NLD@reddit
Your dad is what we'd call: a dangerous driver...
Big_Primrose@reddit
SeaTac Airport has one also. S 188th St goes under the south end of 16L-34R. It’s fun driving under when something lands.
riptomyoldaccount@reddit
I work at a place with a commute that includes a small tunnel with a taxiway over it. I’ve driven under A380s, 747s and F22s. It’s pretty rad.
cachopo_con_patatas@reddit
How is that not a security issue?
There is no fence on that bridge visible. One can throw/catapult/trebuchet anything into this slow rolling plane or into engine inlet.
bubba_ranks@reddit
As someone who remediates taxiways and runways daily, I would never drive under that tunnel.
njreinten@reddit
Your pops probably just wants to look at that majestic aircraft lol
Lonely-Prize-1662@reddit
Please if the A380 was damaging the bridge due to its weight, im guessing it wont just suddenly fall through hut rather the bridge would slowly degrade and eventually collapse while OPs dad is driving under a 737. /s
Cagliari77@reddit
Tell me you're not an engineer without telling me you're not an engineer.
CeleritasLucis@reddit
Yeah, but people are allowed to have some absurd "nope, i am not gonna do it".
on3day@reddit
As long as they are not holding up traffic that now needs to be aware of someone randomly braking on the left lane.
racsorry@reddit
I mean assuming the video isn't mirrored, and taking into account people saying that it's Sidney, the left lane is the slowest lane ;)
Spearlance@reddit
It’s not mirrored or the letters on the plane would also be mirrored
wileysegovia@reddit
Ambulances, have you heard of them
Spearlance@reddit
Yeah but a plane is not an ambulance is it
wileysegovia@reddit
Some planes are ambulances.
Can you milk me, Greg?
racsorry@reddit
True dat
filbruce@reddit
East bound towards the Sydney CBD https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Holmes_Drive
miitchiin@reddit
Stopping in traffic at 80kmh is not the go though
Mugweiser@reddit
Really?
Mugweiser@reddit
OPs Dad is a danger to himself and the others on the road messing around in front of tunnels like that :)
JoePetroni@reddit
Yep, and I'm the person right behind him yelling "What the fuck asshole!!!" While leaning on my horn as I watch the Semi in my rearveiw mirror bearing down on my ass and wondering if he is going to be able to stop before he plows right into me.
Bustin_Cider69@reddit
The larping is crazyyy
viperlemondemon@reddit
OPs dad just lied and said that just actually just wanted to see the A380 taxi
AlarmDozer@reddit
It’s narrow. It should be fine.
Radioactive_Tuber57@reddit
Dang, that beast is HUGE in this context. Great visual reference!
darksidathemoon@reddit
Did they calculate the load limit by parking more and more A380s on it until it failed and then rebuilding it with that number as the limit?
mass_mike47@reddit
This is probably a dumb question but is it safe to allow people this close to an aircraft. What’s preventing someone from tossing a brick at the wing or engine?
luigifelipe@reddit
Wow
DruPeacock23@reddit
My gf would have stopped her car on the middle of the road due to fears that she might run into a plane.
Rivenaleem@reddit
I don't get the title here. The bridge was built before there were planes that large taxiing across, so his fear isn't entirely irrational, right?
midsprat123@reddit
If the bridge couldn’t support them
They wouldn’t be allowed to cross
Therefore the fear is 100% irrational
CantDoThatOnTelevzn@reddit
The title’s logic suggests preexisting infrastructure is automatically rated for any and all future equipment.
dbcooper4@reddit
The A380 was designed to have a a lower main landing gear wheel loading than a 747. Hence it’s backwards compatible with airport infrastructure that can support a 747.
relayrider@reddit
and that the inspectors are qualified AND not corrupt
dc456@reddit
Same - it makes no sense.
It’s not ‘but’ - it’s why he doesn’t trust the bridge. Because it was built before they had an idea a plane this big existed.
CantDoThatOnTelevzn@reddit
No, you’re right; and I’ve been scrolling the thread feeling increasingly insane.
agha0013@reddit
The A380 was designed to distribute it's weight properly without requiring all the airports of the world to repave and replace all their infrastructure.
Building new jet bridges and gate areas specific for it was one thing but there was no way they'd sell any if it required airports to replace much more expensive infrastructure.
It's main taxing restriction is on taxiway width and turn radius. Not weight
dbcooper4@reddit
I remember a video where they pointed out the A380 has more wheels so that its wheel loading is lower than a 747’s.
Lokitusaborg@reddit
That looks a lot like the taxiway over Sepulveda at LAX. I know it’s Sidney, but when you seen an A380 roll across it you do sort of take stock in your own perception of reality.
airport-codes@reddit
I am a bot.
^(If you are the OP and this comment is inaccurate or unwanted, reply below with "bad bot" and it will be deleted.)
holl0918@reddit
Lmfao the bot made a dad joke
derekcz@reddit
good bot
Zealousideal_Land917@reddit
This is Sydney Airport
derekcz@reddit
No it's DAD
7Dimensions@reddit
Oh, so that would explain:
(a) the English signage on the bridge
(b) The New South Wales licence plates
(c) The cars driving on the left side of the road.
Are you always a fuckwit, or is today a special occasion?
FWIW I drive through this tunnel on General Holmes Drive, Mascot twice a day, every day.
Sweaty_Resist_5039@reddit
I'm confused, what airport is FWIW?
derekcz@reddit
jhwkr542@reddit
Bot dad joke
PaddyMayonaise@reddit
This is so funny loo
JustAPcGoy@reddit
Bad Bot
AaryamanStonker@reddit
Good bot
SenorBonjela@reddit
Lol bot.
aftabs@reddit
Bad bot SYD
convicted-mellon@reddit
Your most title doesn’t make any logical sense. By your own title your dad is thinking rationally
BelethorsGeneralShit@reddit
We have these at my airport as well and multiple 380s cross them every day without issue.
Fun trivia: at each end, there's a sign for pilots saying "NO AIRCRAFT STOPPING ON BRIDGE". Who can guess why?
wolftick@reddit
To avoid too many people on the road below slowing down to get a good look?
BelethorsGeneralShit@reddit
Alice_Because@reddit
Huh, my guess was going to be concerns about someone managing to launch their car into a plane somehow, but then again I'm used to how people drive in the US.
PurpD420@reddit
They’ve got a similar bridge at TPE, I’ve gone through it several times flying in and out of northern Taiwan. Shits wild to see giant planes rolling on a bridge above you
OrneryEgg3588@reddit
Reminds me of the bridge over I-70 at Stapleton. It was pretty cool
BrewCityChaserV2@reddit
This is cool, so I wanted to see if OP has similar footage but apparently Reddit now lets users hide their submission and comment history now. Great news for bots and spammers, I guess.
macrolidesrule@reddit
You can see their comments if they have hidden them - just click on user name and in the search bar next to their ID, just type an asterix or " " or ""
StatementOk470@reddit
This comment makes me happy and annoyed.
Trnostep@reddit
What of you type in an obelix?
macrolidesrule@reddit
Well played sir - I'll contact Getafix to see if he can get you some magic potion.
Hay_Fever_at_3_AM@reddit
The worst are weird fetish users posting creep stuff in non-fetish subs; it can be hard to clue in until you see their post history
alienpirate5@reddit
At least moderators can still see it
Small-Policy-3859@reddit
Idk, even tho I have a generic username I'm not a bot and I like the fact that People can't just check my whole profile out.
hypehou_se@reddit
Oh don't worry, we still can! It's just slightly more annoying to do so, Mr anxious-on-ketamine.
Small-Policy-3859@reddit
Yeah now you really have to be a creep to go look for stuff on someone's profile. Pathetic.
hypehou_se@reddit
What's pathetic is not being able to stand by your words even on an anonymous forum.
What's not smart is relying on reddit to protect you. If they gave a shit about that they wouldn't be shipping such a broken "feature" to give you a false sense of security.
Small-Policy-3859@reddit
If i had something to hide i would've deleted my comments after you made something public about me. It's not about that. People who go look on People's profiles, wether for no reason at all or to win some kind of argument, give me the ick.
I like the fact that now People just have to admit they have nothing better to do than to Snoop around on my profile when they want to attack me personally. But no, i don't have anything to hide.
hypehou_se@reddit
In that case, here's a free tip for you: don't put a target on your back by defending such a stupid reddit decision in the comments, it makes people more curious.
Even if/when they fix this loophole, I can easily think of a couple more methods.
Small-Policy-3859@reddit
Thanks for the tip i guess :)
Boeing367-80@reddit
Making Reddit safe for Russian trolls.
EmotioneelKlootzak@reddit
I think they did it a while ago, a few months at least, and I've definitely seen more spam recently.
B4rberblacksheep@reddit
Yeah it’s basically only good for advertisers
SableMaseL3@reddit
Slowing down and impeding traffic is more dangerous than driving under the bridge while an aircraft is above
swift1883@reddit
It’s a bit worse. He was half on the shoulder. Probably parked on the emergency lane to time it right. And of course, filming while driving.
11GTStang@reddit
Think the filming is coming from the passenger seat on the left side and dad is driving in the seat on the right.
swift1883@reddit
Indeed. Good catch mate. Was looking at it all upside down.
11GTStang@reddit
Now that I had a koala from the outback hold my phone upside down, I can see the confusion! Oi!
asonofasven@reddit
Geez, Netflix. You don’t have to promote S5 so hard 😊
swift1883@reddit
Gotta earn my nut brah. How long can we keep pretending these 30-somethings are early teenagers?
EatSleepJeep@reddit
Stopping unexpectedly on a highway vs. driving under an engineered and inspected bridge....
Dad sucks here.
wrestlingnutter@reddit
My thoughts exactly.
of_the_mountain@reddit
Yeah especially when other drivers are likely also looking at the cool big plane, but not slowing down unnecessarily. Creates a dangerous situation.
Fluffy_Duck_Slippers@reddit
I taxi the 747 over these bridges and I sympathise with your Dad. Tell him from me it's just as unnerving for us.
DrEarlGreyIII@reddit
yeah i feel like i would be shitting bricks every time that i needed to taxi over this bridge, don’t mind driving under though
oh-pointy-bird@reddit
Tell us more? Which part feels unnerving? Is it more the width of the span or the concept of it?
Fluffy_Duck_Slippers@reddit
They have these bridges at a few airports around the world but it's quite rare and they don't make it obvious on the airport chart you're about to taxi over a motorway. After a long haul flight you're naturally pretty tired, focal length is a little short, you might not have been to this airport in ages then you taxi round a corner and all of a sudden there are hundreds of cars heading directly towards you. Takes a second to register what's going on. The 747 is damn heavy at max all up landing weight, 302 tonne and it's all concentrated on 18 wheels. Some airports don't come close to having the pavement strength to handle it, but this narrow bridge is fine, doesn't feel natural. True engineering marvel.
oh-pointy-bird@reddit
Very cool to read your experience of it! I can only imagine. Thanks.
swift1883@reddit
In a 380 one can barely feel the plane touching down. I think if the bridge collapsed underneath it, the people upstairs might not even wake up unless it’s 10 feet down lol. So smooth it’s boring.
Slazagna@reddit
Your title makes no fucking sense dude. Wtf has tge bridge being built before a380s got to do with it bwing safe ro drive under when an a380 is on it. If anything thats evidence towards your dad's.... sorry, your DADs argument.
Caloran@reddit
So we're supposed to be amazed your dad has no balls?
How were you even born?
Jelleyicious@reddit
This is Sydney airport. There is no where to stop in either direction without blocking traffic.
Legitimate-Set8438@reddit
It’s Sydney Airport - always great when a plane is going over as you’re going under
whiskeytown79@reddit
Huh, cool. I've only ever seen this sort of thing at CDG, but the cars would be on the other side of the road if it were there.
Particular_Wear_6960@reddit
Took longer than I like to find this post, you have my gratitude for letting us know
Original_Ant7013@reddit
Next time I drive to Atlanta (next month) I will say to the family “were going to Australia” when we go down under on I285.
Cheoah@reddit
Nice 👍🏼
misterchef711@reddit
Greatest pun ever, have my upvote
BadBoyBas@reddit
Tell him to hand in his license, what a dumbass.
OddLookingDuck420@reddit
Mandatory A380 content upvote
MonkeyMercenaryCapt@reddit
For reference fully loaded it is about 264 pickup trucks (maximum take-off weight) empty it is chilling at 127 pickup trucks.
halazos@reddit
And what does your dad do? Stop in the middle of the highway?
Wyevez@reddit
It would never be a problem. If the bridge collapsed, the plane could just fly away and not squish the cars.
mpg111@reddit
Planes are very light - how would they fly if they were heavy? so it's a non issue. duh.
trillium13@reddit
that is so fucking cool 😻😻😻
DrunkCupid@reddit
Today I learned I can get vertigo sideways yeesh
adambadam@reddit
C-17s have been around much longer and have a greater MTOW. I think they knew what they needed to build to.
PewDiePieSaladAss@reddit
Civil engineering at its finest!
Maurakutney@reddit
So instead jump on the breaks on a highway with total disregard to other vehicular traffic. SMH.
relayrider@reddit
happy cake day!
RosieN336FR@reddit
I find amusing that he would drive under a bridge with a train going over it but not a plane. Considering the train weighs many times more than the Airbus A380.
relayrider@reddit
i pause for both
MilesFortis@reddit
IDK what Australian standard are, but the U.S. standard is that bridges are constructed to be able to hold twice what the max rated weight load is.
AprilWatermelon@reddit
Wait till your dad finds out garages are built before Electric Vehicles and EVs are much heavier than ICE cars
AdoringCHIN@reddit
Which is actually becoming a problem for normal roadways. Heavier cars wear down the pavement faster, and apparently it's even causing problems for safety features like guardrails that weren't designed to stop such heavy vehicles.
sealjosh@reddit
Since he’s jamming the brakes and taking a video, maybe get out of the left lane..
MechanicalTurkish@reddit
Absolute unit
MrNigerianPrince115@reddit
Is this JFK?
mylifeforthehorde@reddit
Sydney
MrNigerianPrince115@reddit
Only just saw Sydney at the bottom..
Fluffy_Duck_Slippers@reddit
And the cars driving on the left?
MrNigerianPrince115@reddit
What side do cars drive on in the US
ninj1nx@reddit
I wouldn't want to drive under either, because then I wouldn't be able to see this magnificent machine drive over.
No-Arugula8122@reddit
MTOW somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,200,000 lbs. Yikes
jwink3101@reddit
I would have pulled over too but just to look at the plane, not out of concern for the bridge.
Current_Animator_4@reddit
What?
MentatPiter@reddit
best civil aircraft ever build and then no one bought it :/
SluggishPrey@reddit
Better to brake and be a danger to the incoming traffic 😬
Bachelorbetch69@reddit
Feels like a rational fear to me. I'm sure it's fine, but my monkey brain sees it differently
silverbeowolf@reddit
Your dad wants to admire A380 in all its beauty, that's the truth
StormBlessed145@reddit
I love that livery. Especially the oryx on the vertical tail
oh-pointy-bird@reddit
Calvin and Hobbes taught me that they just taxied larger and larger and larger planes over it until it collapsed and then they had their weight limit.
nspy1011@reddit
I think seeing the A380 from this perspective really shows what a gigantic piece of cool engineering this really is…if you haven’t then take the opportunity in the next few years to travel on one of these…they are slowly going away 😞
momentofcontent@reddit
Always amazed by A380, it still astounds me that something so big can fly. Always in awe of aviation.
Justestin@reddit
What... what does he do? Just stop on the M5? He's likely to get punted into the middle of next week by a semi who isn't paying attention!
CrysKilljoy@reddit
What is he doing then? Stopping on the highway? I hope not.
YogurtclosetDull2380@reddit
Driving slow as shit and halfway in the shoulder while filming on the highway. Fuck this guy
GentilQuebecois@reddit
Driver isn't filming. Video taken from the left side in a car in Australia: no wheel to drive with on that side.
DazMan0085@reddit
Huh, TIL Aussies drive on the 'right' side of the road
mylifeforthehorde@reddit
A lot of the world does..
swift1883@reddit
Fair. But still fuckery.
YogurtclosetDull2380@reddit
Lol fuck
sixsacks@reddit
Dumbass. You, not the camera guy.
mundotaku@reddit
In the meantime, a pedestrian bridge in Miami killed a bunch of people just before being finished
stripeyfox2015@reddit
chance of bridge collapsing beacuse an aircraft crosses it - zero
chance of being rammed from behing by a truck because idiot driver slows down to avoid driving under the bridge - extremely high
OP - your dad should probably get his licence revoked and leave engineering to the engineers
swift1883@reddit
Bots don’t have dads.
Taptrick@reddit
Almost loaded it’s the weight of like 20-25 semis. So yeah you would hardly see that many going on an overpass at the same time, even on a wiiiiide highway. I understand you dad’s reflex to slow down.
Zealousideal-Peach44@reddit
These bridges are not difficult to build due to the aircraft weight... the challenge is that the load is extremely concentrated on the gears. However, it's manageable... just add thickness on the concrete slabs.
b00c@reddit
then you realize shit's made for planes loaded with tanks, not just people.
Kalat17@reddit
I though it was Schiphol
mz_groups@reddit
If your dad knew how heavy some trains are, he wouldn't be driving under a railroad bridge when a train is crossing it, either.
Frozefoots@reddit
Your dad is a bad driver and should not be impeding traffic. Especially on that road.
If he’s too timid to drive he should reconsider driving altogether.
ElectricalGene6146@reddit
I mean it was probably designed to accommodate a fully loaded C130… so that’s nothing
Avia_NZ@reddit
How did he not drive under, when there’s nowhere to stop along there? Or did he just stop in the middle of the lane? 🫣
QuitStockingMe@reddit
OPs dad isn’t scared of weight limit, he likes seeing the 380 go over that bridge. I’d do the same
UnfairStrategy780@reddit
LAX baby
Pearl1506@reddit
I am 100 per cent sure that's Sydney... I drive this route a lot to meet friends who live in Cronulla.
Fluffy_Duck_Slippers@reddit
Also the cars driving on the left was a bit of a give away
Guadalajara3@reddit
Tell him not to impede traffic
b17ch35@reddit
Plot twist, he’s lying about being nervous and just wants to see big plane close up
Dubaishire@reddit
Fantastic footage!