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
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