It’s so easy to take air travel for granted and lose sight of the fact that airplanes are million pound metal tubes that fly six miles above the earth’s surface at well over 500 miles per hour. And it’s easy to do so because for the most part, travel is seamless – it’s safe, usually…
Continue reading: Tour of United’s operations at SFO
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
It's always interesting to see the behind-the-scenes of an industry such as this. This, combined with your visit to the caterer, amazes me at the complexity that probably goes into something as simple as the special meals I order. Whenever the purser tells me, "And sir, your meal made it aboard the plane", I always think, "Of course, why wouldn't it have?" Reports such as this show just a little tip of the iceberg in what goes on to ensure that one single tray of food makes it on to the certain plane I'm flying that day. Great report.
It was very nice to spend time with somebody that has been with the company for a number of years, but also gives off the signs that he likes his job. The tour was fabulous! If only I could use that visitor badge to bypass security at every airport... 😀
For more photos, feel free to check my gallery... http://friendlyskies.smugmug.com/MRs/captaindennydo/16358339_Y68k2
(if anybody wants to use them for personal use, that is fine. However, please PM me on FT/MP if you want to use them in a blog or on a website 🙂 )
My husband sent this post to me because I just started a job as a ramp agent myself. Our planes are much smaller, but even so, pushing back an airplane is one of the coolest things I've ever done. Once I reorganize my life again, I intend to comb through the manuals and find out exactly what I am able to share (picture wise) with the internet. It's so good to see your pics which share just a little bit of what my day is like out there.
Having worked for AA, UL, SN and HP/CO, I completely agree. Its an industry full of passionate people when it comes to aviation. Watching a million take off and landings, never enough, never tired of seeing.
I remember doing a work experience for UA at LHR. Their UK HQ was the old Pan Am building next to the private jet center near T4. I would walk out on to the tarmac every morning at 1045am and watch Concorde start it take off roll! I would just stand there, a few hundred feet from the bird. Nothing can describe the feeling of the sheer power of that small aircraft.
Oh the fond memories of it all from your post!
And, let us not forget employees like Eduardo Tlatempa who lost his life recently when he fell from a container loader.
I wouldl love to get a tour of the operations as a gift for my boyfriend. Possible you have the contact info of these guys? It would be lovely! Thank you!