Lifting bus at CDG? - Need a name
 

I have a friend who is writing a movie script and asked me the following question. Can anyone help field it? Thanks!
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What is that thing called, and I've only
seen it at CDG, although I'm sure it's used elsewhere, that's basically a
big bus, whose entire passenger compartment can elevate up on stilts to like the second story of the building, people get on, it lowers and then drives
off?Ê Do you know what I'm talking about?Ê I need a name for one.

"Mobile Lounge" is the word you are looking for.

I think they have them also in Mexico City and Washinton Dullas, and they where called "People Mover". However, I am not sure if this is correct.

Also used at PHL, until the new international terminal opens.

Here's a history of the IAD ones.
http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles/history.htm

I haven't figured out what a "plane mate" is yet.

terenz- your article describes plane mate. I haven't seen one nor been on one in Dulles but they say they have 30 of them. Here's the quote;
"Today, Dulles utilizes 19 mobile lounges and 30 plane mates, which are similar to the lounges but can transport passengers from the terminals, directly onto the airplane by attaching itself to the aircraft."

Sorry - it looks like I was wrong. They are called "Mobile Lounge" as B747-437B posted it correctly. What in the hell are "People Mover"?

A 7 passenger van in London.

I was on one of these things at IAD (Dulles -DC) in November. They are horrible, slow and crowded with people like a NYC subway.

It is really a testament to the stupidity of the airport designers that they are used at all. How hard is it to design a terminal to not need these? If I were cynical, I would have to believe that some congressman's relative profited from making and/or selling them.

Their use adds at least 45 minutes to an already long flight.

What's the difference? Unless a "plane mate" is a jetway?

Different brand names for similar products. I believe the ubiquitous Budd company was the integrator for the first 'mobile lounge', and a lesser known competitor for the 'plane mate'.

The CDG version appears to be a JV between a French coachbuilder and hydraulics specialist.

I always thought that a "plane mate" had something to do with the Mile High Club.

La Merde.

What is amazing is that with all the new terminals at CDG and their constant hype about all the room they have to exand they still use the pieces of crap that add at least 30 minutes to your journey.

Remember that IAD was designed back in the 60s, when travel was more of an adventure. The original idea was they'd be like lounges, with comfortable seats and even reading lights (as silly as it may sounds). They just didn't anticipate the air traffic increase down the road.

People movers are moving walkways to speed our transit from one end of the terminal to the opposite end of the other terminal - until every one stops moving on them or they break down.