The ideal candidate
Most people who flourish as Aircraft Services employees are described well by these words: friendly, hard-working, helpful, and team-player.
As a Station Attendant or Aircraft Tower, you’ll see your days are generally spent managing the aircraft operations at airports – everything from marshalling aircraft to and from gates, to handling passenger luggage, to operating ground vehicles, and more!
- Teamwork. Your ability to work well with others will help you fit in with the team and make a valuable contribution to the operation. Co-operation will often be required in order to safely get the job done and get that aircraft and its passengers on its way.
- Initiative. As a member of our Aircraft Services team, you will learn to become a self driven, empowered member of your team. Aircraft Services employees are encouraged to make important decisions that could prevent negative impact on the safety of the operation, equipment, your co-workers, or our customers.
- Leadership. Jazz empowers all its employees to lead by example. Aircraft Services teams are led by reliable, professional, confident communicators. In a leadership role, you will learn to become confident delegating tasks to your peers and in your ability to lead a group ethically, efficiently and with integrity.
- Problem solving and decision making. Aircraft Services employees develop the ability to become confident critical thinkers who, on occasion may be required to react quickly, analyze a situation, predict possible outcomes, and come up with safe suitable solutions in a short amount of time in order to minimize any negative impact and keep the operation running smoothly while working under pressure.
- Communication. Whether radioing the tower for directives while towing an aircraft, or communicating with the pilot about the placement of dangerous goods in the cargo hold, you will learn to communicate effectively. Though the use of active listening and clear concise speech, you will become skilled in conveying important information to others through various means, including use of visual signals.
- Organization. All Aircraft Services employees quickly learn the importance of time management, prioritizing tasks, taking notes and following various checklists, ensuring the safe arrival and departure of our aircraft.
- Adaptability. Airline operations often change unexpectedly. Aircraft Services employees will learn to react and adapt to an ever-changing work environment. Patience, flexibility, and a positive attitude are definite prerequisites but can be easily acquired with an open mind.
What senior management is saying
Here’s how senior management describes Aircraft Services staff fitting into the bigger Jazz picture.
“The complexity of airport operations is really unknown to the flying public. These dedicated employees make sure the aircraft are where they’re supposed to be, that your luggage is loaded and cared for, and makes it to your destination. There are so many people behind the scenes of your flight and this group is a valuable part of that.”
Overheating pedometer. How many steps can you expect to take during a typical shift? 12,000 (nearly 10km)
In their own words
What are current Aircraft Services employees like? Here are some personal thoughts they had to share.
“I’m very passionate about my job as I enjoy the physical challenge it brings. Whether handling bags, marshalling an aircraft or pushing a plane back from a gate, I’m not afraid to face it head on.
I thoroughly appreciate working amongst a great team who have welcomed me with open arms and demonstrated the importance of working hard and having fun on the job. Laughter is the best medicine even when faced with challenging times. Being on the ramp has inspired me to become a Lead or Trainer one day. After that, the sky is the limit!”
—Vanessa Luxford (pictured), Ramp Attendant, YYJ (Victoria)
Note to self
Want to hit the ground running with the wisdom of someone who’s been doing this for years? Here’s what current Aircraft Services employees said they’d wished they’d known when they started out.
“I love airplanes! I found this to be a great place to start my aviation career while I decide on my future as an aircraft maintenance engineer or pilot.”
—Haresh Murjani, Tower, YYC (Calgary)
