You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Meet Janet Vincent
Job:
Manager Apron Operations (the apron is the area where planes park at the gate).
Job description:
To ensure the safe and efficient running of the apron and the safe care of all the workers.
Work background:
I have always worked in people focused jobs but have been at the airport for 10 years, working in all parts of the airport operation.
Favourite part of job:
Getting to know all the people who work at the airport and working outside around the planes.
Least favourite part of job:
Working on snowy days and dealing with cancelled flights!
What I am working on now:
Making sure all the people who drive airside, around the planes, are doing so safely.
A quick story about a job well done:
Last year there was a problem with the Auckland Airport runway and we had two big Emirates A380 aircraft and a 777 all divert to Christchurch. For Christchurch that is a huge event! All aircraft were refueled and directed back to Auckland once the runway was open again.
A (humorous) story about a job that went badly and what you learned:
Leaving the airport one evening after a very long day and all staff had gone, I saw 180 people walking towards me led by an Airport Services helper. It turned out an airline we looked after had diverted a flight from Sydney to Christchurch, because of an engineering issue. No one from the airline thought to let Christchurch airport know! There was no available accommodation in Christchurch and these passengers were meant to be going to Queenstown. They were VERY angry and they only had me to help! I learned that communication is really important.
Qualifications:
A variety of job experiences and training related to understanding people. Courses specifically aimed at airport operations are very useful.
Interests outside work:
My family, running, reading and movies.
Janet Vincent is Manager of Apron Operations. Image: CIAL.