US Airways - July 2012 - (Page 44)

overhead eyeS A new technology system called aerobahn is making life a little easier at the HCC. The computer program displays an overhead view of US Airways’ major hubs in real time. You can watch planes take off, land, and taxi from gates. It labels each plane in motion with the flight number and destination, and identifies parked planes with their gate number and concourse. Aerobahn also shows just how long a flight has been taxiing, which is a big help in keeping the operation running on time. ➺ In addition, the HCC helps coordinate fueling, baggage handling, catering, cabin services, and boarding. The People Set up in a tower 270 feet high, the HCC’s massive windows afford employees a bird’s-eye view of the entire airfield. Inside, the tower is designed with three tiers. (See the photo on pages 42–43.) The back row and top tier is home to the bridge, which includes a tower manager, whose eye is on the current state of operations, a senior manager looking two to four hours ahead for potential concerns, and a maintenance manager communicating to the maintenance crew. The middle tier is known as the coordinating line, which is broken up by concourse and then further divided into above-the-wing duties and below-the-wing duties. Employees handling above-the-wing duties coordinate crew timing, passenger boarding, and catering, while employees on the below-the-wing side coordinate baggage handling, fueling, and cargo. Support employees fill the front row, closest to the windows. They handle coordination of cargo and mail, ground service equipment, crew coordination, catering, fueling, weight and balancing, and aircraft appearance. In the middle of this bottom row is ramp control, also known as the “hot seats.” The two employees here tell pilots which gate to park the planes. Considering that the Philadelphia airport typically sees multiple groups of 25 flights each day, this job is of course busy at times (hence the hot seat reference). employees wear headsets so they can listen to the company radio and take calls from flight crews. Westbrock stresses that everyone in the tower is aware of all issues and trained in every position. That’s key, he explains, to running an efficient and on-time operation. “I say that being on time equals salt. It makes everything taste better, and everything flows better when we are running on time,” Westbrock says. “Our time drives performance, and our performance makes customers happy.” Facts & Stats As one of the country’s largest Hub Control Centers, the Philadelphia HCC boasts some impressive figures. watched over by The Common Goal While each HCC employee plays a different role, they all focus on communication. Most tower 18 462 70 who enjoy daily us Airways flights HCC employees with average years of seniority 1 heck of a view ! 44 july 2012 usairwaysmag.com http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - July 2012

US Airways - July 2012
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Best Beaches
Wine & Dine: Table to Farm
Adventure: Home-Court Advantage
Great Escapes: Mayan Adventure
Destination Fabulous
Gear Up: Activate!
London Calling
Room with a View
Chefs Tell: Water's Edge
Charlotte in 2012
Best of Health
Flying High in North Carolina
Charlotte U.S.A.: From Crackers to Gelato
University Spotlight: Grand Canyon University
Must Read: Better, Stronger, Faster
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace™
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - July 2012