what’s the use of the cart that pushes back the airplane? Can planes not reverse without it?

Question

what’s the use of the cart that pushes back the airplane? Can planes not reverse without it?

In: 188

Answer 1

They can.

Gates are packed tight with planes, people running around loading/unloading them. Hitting reverse sucks a lot of air. That, and they don’t exactly have mirrors to use to back up.

Easier to control their movement in a busy environment with a tug.