Until I hit a Marine Corps flightline, I had no idea what “chocks” were unless connected in a phrase to “Full O’ Nuts.”
What can I say? I was a veritable babe in the north Jersey woods.
For those who haven’t been introduced to “chocks,” this is what they are (watch what the guys pull from around the wheels):
Mechanics use them in garages, too.
Aircraft chocks are small wedges triangular in shape placed in front of and behind the aircraft’s wheels lightly in contact with the tyre to prevent an aircraft from moving when parked.
The wheel chocks are commonly used to prevent an aircraft from accidentally rolling and colliding with other aircraft and damaging its parts, protecting the ground crew from harm during handling operations and protecting nearby infrastructure.
“Pulling chocks” enters your everyday lexicon as a phrase meaning “we’re outta here” after working around airplanes…
