A video depicting an airline worker taping up a Spirit Airlines plane has gone viral, leaving many viewers in disbelief. In the video posted by TikTok user @myhoneysmacks, an airline employee is seen performing minor repairs to the left wing of a Spirit Airlines plane while sitting on the tarmac at Nashville International Airport, with passengers observing the scene from inside the aircraft.
“The reason why I don’t fly with Spirit,” the TikToker said. “I don’t care if it is aviation airplane tape or nothing, the fact that you have to tape the plane together and then you doing it while people are on the flight like we cannot see you.”
“That’s the reason why I will not fly with Spirit, now Southwest I’ll do, but Spirit no sir,” the video creator doubled down on her claim of her disdain for the budget airline.
As the impromptu repair on the plane was taking place, the woman remained stunned by what she was observing.
“After a while, they’re going to need a fresh new roll of tape, their tapes gonna lose all its stickiness, you flying all around the world and you got tape holding it together. Don’t even worry about it, I won’t be booking with you.”
“This is called Speed Tape used to perform minor repairs on airplanes. Every airline uses it including Southwest,” one user commented.
What Is Speed Tape?
Speed tape is a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape commonly used in aviation maintenance to make temporary repairs to aircraft surfaces. Its thin aluminum material and strong adhesive backing can adhere to surfaces such as metal, plastic, and composite materials. The tape is designed to be resistant to water, heat, and cold, and it can withstand high speeds and altitudes.
Speed tape is often used to cover small dents or cracks in aircraft panels. It also functions to reinforce seams and joints. While speed tape is not a permanent fix, it provides a temporary solution until more extensive repairs can be made.
After the video of the airline worker went viral, TikTok users with a background in aviation commented on the video to reassure the original poster that using the tape on an aircraft was a common practice.
RELATED: Spirit Airlines Flight Catches Fire After Landing At Atlanta Airport