B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
While following an aircraft under tow by the ramp; we were put in an uncomfortable situation because the ramp has no way to secure an aircraft in the event of an emergency.The ramp was towing an aircraft from the terminal to the maintenance base. We were following them towing an aircraft to the maintenance base as well. The ramp was instructed to hold. They didn't stop for reasons unknown. When the Tower questioned them; they stated that they were having trouble with their tug. They were then instructed to stop and acquire another tug. They complied with the instructions to hold.As the situation started to heat up with the Tower and the ramp personnel; I could see that the ramp personnel were starting to become complacent and confused by the instructions by the Tower. I felt he could have easily sat the aircraft down without any chalks to support the aircraft from moving. This here lies the danger!Since ramp typically performs aircraft movement without a brake rider; in the event of an emergency such as this; the aircraft could have rolled back unchalked and struck my aircraft putting myself and crew at risk. They do not carry chalks typically. Furthermore; we technicians don't carry chalks either because in the past the chalks have fallen out of the tug onto the taxiway and put all aircraft under movement at risk of serious injury if they were ran over.Thankfully they were able to convince the Tower that the tug was now operational and they could get it to maintenance base safely. Tower allowed them to continue their tow! If they would have complied with the Tower original instructions of setting the aircraft down and get another tug and the way that they appeared to be complacent; the story could have been completely different!
A Maintenance Technician reported observing Ramp personnel towing an aircraft without a brake rider and no ability to address tractor problems.