The Aviation Army

It takes an army of behind-the-scenes teams to get a plane airborne. I could easily name at least 60 departments – fuelling, air traffic control, maintenance, flight dispatch and ramp attendants are just a few that spring to mind. Things can quickly go off course if just one department is removed from the equation. I’ve been delayed at Toronto Pearson when fuel hydrants froze; stranded in Vancouver when a major blackout hit Ontario, resulting in a lack of flight plans; and grounded in the Caribbean due to labour unrest with air traffic control. Pilots have ultimate responsibility for a flight, but knowing that each team is doing its best to get passengers to their destination quickly and safely makes my job that much easier.