Stewart asked why some operations drop the tow rope.
We do because of two reasons:

1. We want to reduce wear and tear on the rope by
not dragging it on the paved runway. Yes, the tuggie
does drop the rope onto the paved runway, but that
doesn't seem to cause undue wear and tear.

2. Sometimes (most?), the tuggie must taxi to the
parallel taxiway to make his way back to the staging
area rather than turn around on the runway and back-taxi.
The tow rope could then get caught in the runway and
taxiway lights as the tug makes his way around the
airport. Possibly.

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA