I do appreciate the posts, I was an intern with FLYi back in spring 2005. I remember we had a mix of good and great rampers. A lot of things didn't work, but we did run around to get everything out on time. I also worked for FedEx as a general ramper for 3 years. Working IAD back then was hundreds of times better than working for FedEx. It could be fun at FDX some nights, but the company basically just yelled at us and really nickel and dimed every benefit.
I ended up leaving FDX to get on with my flying career and I'm flight instructing at the moment. I will say that few pilots really give rampers their due appreciation. The older pilots do seem to notice how much rampers do, but just realize that there are bad rampers out there that don't care, but there are a lot running their butt off to get the aircraft out ASAP. Companies usually skimp on training, have low pay and odd hours. It's a system that could use an upgrade, but sometimes that 10 minute delay is going to happen because that GPU, gate, or tug just isn't working. It's probably a $2 piece that's missing and that guy in the orange is probably just as frustrated as everyone else.
Scandinavian13, good post, it's rare that the aviation community as a whole takes 5 minutes to really talk to a ramper. Goodluck with your future endeavors.
Yeah, something's going on and it's not very appreciated. I keep getting an earful from the management about random things that wouldn't be an issue if I had the proper equipment.
"Don't EVER use a belt loader as a step ladder for the CRJ700 HP Air Port!!!"
Then get me a freakin ladder. Honestly, I feel more stable plugging and ripping that thing off while standing on a completely flat belt loader.
"You need to put deliminators [sic] on all of the correct points of the aircraft!!!"
Then get me the required number. By the way, they're
delineators. Actually, they're better just left as cones.
[This one was a true Office Space moment, as I had three people come by to ask me why the cones weren't correctly placed on an aircraft after I had corrected it - only one of the five aircraft had misplaced cones, and only one was misplaced]
...and then there's corporate, who has a clue:
"Hey, just a quick note - all aircraft need to be connected to PCA when on the ground. Especially the SAABs. We noticed the rest do, but the one on Alpha isn't hooked up."
"Yeah, the captain declined the hookup."
"
Well! If the captain declines it, don't worry about it!"
I was then lectured by some SOC lady later on (same one who lectured me for running) for not having the PCA connected. She said regardless of what the captain says, put it in and turn it on anyway. Genius...
I really don't understand that I get all kinds of lecturing and the others - who push aircraft into bag carts and belt loaders, among other more idiotic things - get a look the other way. Maybe it's because they know I'm going to understand what they're barking at me, but I tend to just find it annoying.
Most of the pilots understand what I'm going through when I walk up to the flight deck and give them an update on the situation. Most are also patient. Most realise that many of the rampers, despite years and years of service, still don't know the difference between aircraft. I had to teach a 5+ year airline employee how to dump a lav on Thursday.
Anyone who went through C20/22 Thursday afternoon/evening, thanks for your patience. C/D Ramp was a new experience for me, so it took me a while to adjust.
