What an amazing thing is a modern airport. Im sitting in heathrow terminal five, watching a plane being serviced after landing.

Its a bit like one of those large fish that turn up on a reef to be cleaned by smaller fish.

The moment the engines stop turning, an army of handlers move in to get the next flight ready. Chocks are placed under the wheels and the plane is hooked up to mains power, an
and water too, probably.

The passenger walkway moves in as the cargo bay opens and luggage and cargo is transferred to wagon trains that arrive unbidden, like wasps sensing something sweet.

Meanwhile the food wagon arrives and swaps food trollies as the cleaning crew sweep through from the back set of steps that theyve brought with them

I imagine there is an enormous computer running it all, reading barcodes as various functions are completed and movements made.

Amazing and apparently so smooth.