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MARCH 2016 AviationPros.com 23 MAINTENANCE MATTERS passengers on those MSP-bound planes is 150, there are 10,500 travelers who will land at MSP in a single hour. Those passengers have one thing in common. They have the same expectation about their travel experience: X Their plane will arrive on time. X While they are on the plane, on the ground, or in the air, they expect to experience a temperature-controlled environment and to be reasonably comfortable. X There will be plenty of room to accommodate their carry-on bags and, if not, someone will take them and make sure they get to their fnal destination. X If they dropped off a bag at the curb or at the desk inside, they expect their bag to arrive at the carousel of their fnal destination within a few minutes of their arrival in baggage claim, regardless of the number of stops and plane changes they've had during their trip. X All of the above will happen regardless of weather conditions or air traffc. All 10,500 people who land in MSP in that single hour expect 100% success and have no idea how complex the system delivering that experience is. Each of those 70 planes will likely "turn" and head out to another destination. Each will land, pull up to the gate, unload, and get cleaned, restocked, reloaded and pushed back to take off. When a plane lands and pulls up to the gate, equipment that GSE technicians main- tain can impact the customers' expectations: The jet bridge or passenger stairs, includ- ing ADA compliant accessories, moves to the plane to safely allow the passengers to unload and load. The lift truck carrying the cabin service crew moves to the plane and lifts up to gain access so the cleaning crew can then do its work. The Air Conditioning Units on the ground start working to provide heated or cooled air for the cabin. The catering truck moves to the plane and lifts up to gain access to the galleys so the crew can do its work. The baggage tractors pull the baggage carts up to the plane to be loaded with baggage. The belt loader pulls up to the plane to be positioned to unload the plane of its baggage and cargo. The valet cart is positioned to collect carry-ons that won't ft in the overhead compartments. Bags from the cart are put on the belt loader too. The water cart/truck pulls up to the plane to allow for water service of the plane. The lavatory service cart/truck pulls up to the plane to allow for lav service of the plane. The fuel truck/cart approaches the plane to begin the refueling process. A different set of baggage carts are loaded under the airport with the bags headed to this plane. Different baggage tractors move through the airport and collect all of the baggage that needs to be on this particular plane. The jet bridge or stairs is moved away from the plane. Using a Ground Power Unit, the pilot restarts the engines in preparation for departure. Baby Boomer mechanics are retiring at the rate of 80-100 per day. Those who remain will be asked to be much more productive to keep up with demand. Tarmac Tough You're in a tough business. You are responsible for servicing millions of dollars worth of aircraft at a moment's notice, in all kinds of weather. Equipment failure is not an option. At AERO, everything we manufacture is proudly made in the U.S.A. and designed to go the distance. Our quality is one thing that you won't have to worry about. +1 208-378-9888 | www.aerospecialties.com Ground support equipment AviationPros.com/10016920