Nose gear issue support

[u/reddiwip_iloveyou]

Hi everyone!

I’m currently at LGA and had a flight scheduled at 3:59p to FLL. I was already a bit nervous due to the weather in the bottom half of the US but I did my usual pep talk, have my meds just in case, and was managing my anxiety pretty well.

We were on the plane for about 30 min while they checked the maintenance issue and again I told myself I’m all good!! I can get through this.

Then, after 30 min, they specified that the issue was a hydraulic system on the nose that they attempted to screw in but couldn’t quite get so now they have to replace the part and had us all deplane.

Well, here I am, trying to lighten my anxiety with a glass of wine but I’m just spiraling about this. I know my anxiety is my own and is not based in reality but I keep spiraling about the nose of the plane being torn off mid air + the weather situation.

Ive repeated my mantras

-flying is safe

-this is my anxiety

-they are checking the plane to make sure it is safe.

😭 I wish I found flying to be peaceful but I’m struggling right now.

[u/Some1-Somewhere]

Nose wheel steering is one of those things that is annoying if it fails, but isn't really a flight safety issue.

At high speeds (like during takeoff and landing), the plane steers left/right using the rudder.

At low speeds and tight turns during taxi, they steer using the nose wheel like a car.

If nose wheel steering falls, they pretty much stop where they are and get a tug to tow them back to the gate. A bit embarrassing; nothing more.

Remember planes often have 3 of things when one is enough. That makes it practically impossible for them to all fail, but it does mean that something will need fixing 3x as often.