US Airways - October 2013 - (Page 12)

embark Making It Happen behind the Scenes of Your Flight Plane Puzzlers Aircraft routers keep every flight on track. by tara titcombe ★ From their posts at the Operations Control Center, aircraft routers track every plane and schedule each one for a specific flight. “We do all the aircraft routing,” says Tom Ernst, director of line maintenance planning. “And if there’s any disruption to the operation, we do the rerouting.” A typical example: If a plane requires unscheduled maintenance, routers must find another plane to cover the scheduled routes. Routers communicate with other operations groups to make sure that each plane gets its scheduled maintenance checks, while also ensuring that there are enough planes to cover all the flights. Routers also have to think long-term to stay on schedule. “We have people looking ninety days line maintenance planning 12 october 2013 usairwaysmag.com photos by david aschkenas we build the blocks up, an issue makes them tumble down, and we build them up again. it’s an exciting place to work. —tom ernst, director of Meet: John Yacoviello title: Aircraft router ahead to smooth out the schedule tiMe with US AirwAYS: and make sure there won’t be any 20 years major issues,” Ernst says. “It’s almost like putting a To keep flights running on puzzle together.” That’s how John Yacoviello sums up his time, routers have to balance job as an aircraft router. And demands from multiple departit’s a job that keeps him on his toes. “Every day we know ments. Maintenance and safety where the aircraft are and are top priorities. “We want to where the heavy maintenance inspections are taking place, keep to the schedule for on-time but we never know what’s gooperations while also maintaining ing to happen,” he says. the fleet,” Ernst says. When a disruption occurs, Yacoviello and his team comThat balancing act can be municate with all the departdemanding, especially during ments. “We work together as a team, with maintenance peak travel times. “Summer is and crew scheduling, to come challenging because we increase up with different options for the number of flights, which the customers,” he explains. Yacoviello enjoys the process. means there are fewer spare “I really like the challenge of aircraft to cover for disruptions,” putting everything together,” he says. “I also love working Ernst explains. It’s a complicated with the team. We’re all conjob, but the routers always keep cerned with the same thing — cool and collected. “It’s a cyclical the safety of everyone.” process,” he says. “Essentially we build the blocks up, an issue makes them tumble down, and then we build them up again. You can’t get frustrated. It’s an exciting place to work.” http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - October 2013

Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Top Spas at Top Resorts
Wine & Dine: Mail-Order BBQ
Wine & Dine: Hard Cider
Golf: The TOURAcademy at TPC Sawgrass
Adventure: P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
Style Spotlight: School Colors
Diversions: City Ghost Tours
Gear Up: Just for Sports Fans
Down to Business: Columbus, Ohio
Chefs Tell: Smith & Wollensky
Charlotte USA
Travel Feature: Maui
US Airways: BE PINK Campaign
Down to Business: IPNav
Going the Extra Block: Philadelphia Neighborhoods
University Spotlight: University of Dayton
Best of Health: Miami Beach Foot and Ankle Surgery
Best of Living: Eagles Nest
Great Dates
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 - October 2013