Another year of getting ready for our big spring and summer time push and we are kicking off the search for AVOP’s with our existing dedicated team and they have answered the call with eagerness, enthusiasm, hard work, dedication and a lot of home study!
Our first group of this years dedicated team members all come to us from different backgrounds and different skill sets and now they all sit in the same AAI C.O.R.E Training facility to achieve a common goal.
On Day 1, I asked the group to tell me what do you need from me as a trainer and what do you need from this course?
Collectively this is what the group advised me:
- Understand the airside rules and regulations on the airfield.
- Be successful in achieving a higher classification and earn a wage increase.
- Know everything we need to know as an AVOP as it’s a big responsibility.
I am happy to report that we are on track and the ladies are doing amazing and by the time this newsletter comes out we will have 4 more DA’s at YYC!
Its not easy to learn how to drive on the airfield during a snow event when the road you are supposed to be driving on is white, and well its snowing!
The ladies are dodging not only airplanes, and ground service vehicles but also snowplows, sweepers, bob cats and skid steers and if that isn’t enough snowdomes from jet blast! Just think when the snow stops flying and they can see the road again it well all be too easy for them then!
But don’t take it from me, lets hear from the ladies taking the DA AVOP training now!
“Good afternoon AAI!
We all joined the DA AVOP training as we all expressed our interest to acquire a DA license for security escort at AAI located at Calgary international Airport. We are excited about the opportunity to contribute to the safety and well being of passengers and staff within such a dynamic environment.
The training is very knowledgeable, and our trainer Patti delivered! We learned a lot of good stuff from our trainer, she explains everything very clearly and nicely especially since we know it is very hard to learn so many things from airside, but the way Patti teaches us is very clear and we found success in our written DA AVOP exam. Patti is a fantastic teacher and apart from what we gained in this course we really appreciate her patience.
Thank You, From Gurpreet Dhaliwal, Karamveer Bhathal, Amandeep Bassi, China R.”
The story doesn’t stop there, a certain Trainer celebrates a birthday on this upcoming Sunday and the ladies surprised me on the Friday before so scheduler Aman and Supervisor Jon could join in the festivities!
My most wonderful new DA AVOP students Gurpreet, Karamveer, Aman Bassi and Momma Chinna all surprised me with the most extravagant birthday cake and a pizza lunch! I must say these ladies out did themselves and put the biggest smile on my face when we had just finished a long theory day in the classroom covering intricate topics and where we did a lot of learning and a lot of laughing!!
Oh yeah and we also learned “Never Eat Shredded Wheat!” Now they can go home and tell their kids and husbands when they see a plane in the air, the 35’s are active!
