During our DEN layover, my son Augustine and I had the chance to visit United’s Denver Ramp Tower, giving us a look at one of United’s command centers at its Rocky Mountain hub.
Visiting The United Airlines Denver Ramp Tower
I have many friends who work for United and one dear friend knew my family was flying through Denver and offered to give us a behind-the-scenes tour. A control tower is not a place for a four-year-old, so my wife Heidi (who has no interest in such things) and my daughter Claire Marie stayed behind in the United Club while Augustine and I took the tour.
United’s Denver hub includes more than 500 daily flights during the busier summer months. In addition to Air Traffic Control guiding flights in and out of the busy airport, United also communicates with pilots in the air, determines which flights may be delayed due to congestion or weather based on operational needs, and tries to stay many steps ahead of any potentail trouble that could cause a ripple effect of disruptions.
In the Ramp Tower, weather, incoming planes, and air traffic are closely monitored:
One level up, a bird’s eye view of ground operations is available, allowing some problems–like traffic jams–to be viewed with the naked eye.
While my son loved climbing to the roof and taking in all the planes, I quite enjoyed just seeing the operation in motion…it takes a lot to run an airline and I enjoyed the conversations I had…every employee has a story and every employee was delightful.
Denver is a United hub I have flown from since I was a kid…my first ever United flight was from LAX to DEN in 1995…
…the last three decades have certainly flown by! Back then, the airport was literally only one month old after the old Stapleton Airport closed on February 27, 1995.
Much has changed but much is the same…Denver still feels like the same hub, even as it has exploded in traffic.
Under the leadership of Jon Gooda, the Managing Director of Denver (who was promoted to VP of Newark last September), the airport also became far more customer-friendly.
Yes, I must be one of those “sticky” United customers…Denver is one reason why.
It’s Fred!!
Were you able to direct an aircraft’s movements from the gate to the taxiway?
Alas, no.
That v-neck fits perfectly. Yet another thirst trap photo.
Augustine knows how to pose for photos. He stands similar to that of a female model. That is not a criticism.
I wonder how often they look out the window for operational reasons? Seems like they look at screens a lot.
The most I got that was special was going to United Airlines Family Day at SFO twice.
LOL
DEN gets too much hate. Yes it has its issues, but they’re making a lot of efforts to address them, and it’s starting to show. I love the new security checkpoint there, for instance. I just find it hard to believe DEN is the “worst airport in the country” (as one of your counterparts claims), in a country where JFK exists. I find DEN to be a fun airport, easy to navigate (though lots of walking), and it handles high traffic better than major airports here on the east coast.
I tend to agree with you, Jay! DEN is not my favorite, but I’ve always enjoyed it (as long as the trains are running smoothly!).
Kid has a great life, good for him!
That looks fun!
Lucky you! Big smile on that 1995 kid
I am surprised Matthew called it a ramp tower and not a tarmac tower. Ramp is correct, but Matt and most others use tarmac when they say things like the passengers had to evacuate onto the tarmac. Tarmac is like saying gravel or asphalt. Ramp is like saying sidewalk or road. It’s ramp or apron, never tarmac.
Well I’m glad I called it the right thing here, but tarmac is very widely used. Why do so many people, as you claim, get it wrong?
Most people use Tarmac because it has been used in the media for decades, but tarmac is just what the ramp is made out of.
It’s just a pet peeve of mine.
Here is the Google AI answer:
While both “tarmac” and “ramp” are used to describe areas at airports where aircraft park and are serviced, “ramp” is the more accurate and official term, while “tarmac” is a more informal and colloquial term.
“Tarmac”: is a shortened version of “tarmacadam,” a type of pavement made from crushed stone covered in tar, and is often used informally to refer to airport areas where aircraft are parked, loaded, unloaded, refueled, or serviced.
“Ramp”: is the more accurate and official term for the area where aircraft ground operations take place, where aircraft park, and where pre-flight activities are done.
“Apron”: is another term used interchangeably with “ramp” and refers to a defined area on an airport or heliport intended to accommodate aircraft for purposes of loading or unloading passengers or cargo, refueling, parking, or maintenance.
In aviation, the terms “ramp” and “apron” are considered synonymous and are used by pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals .
The FAA and ICAO use “ramp” or “apron” to designate the area at the airport where aircraft are parked and serviced .
Nice reporting on the tower and pictures…