The Daily Battle

As I stand in the smoking yard, I watch the steady stream of Hi Loaders returning from aircraft, each loaded with used catering items heading for ware wash. These moments of observation make me reflect on the ongoing challenges we face with equipment availability.

Each day, our operations depend heavily on the timely offloading and cleaning of equipment for repacking, as flights ready for departure rely on this cycle to avoid delays. Yet, delays in aircraft offloading are common, turning this process into a daily hurdle. When equipment isn’t returned on time, we experience significant bottlenecks. It impacts the workflow, causing our team to rush to meet schedules and complete repacking once equipment finally becomes available.

The frustrating part is that these equipment shortages aren’t due to neglect but the limitations of our current system. Our dependence on a precise timeline for unloading, cleaning, and preparing equipment makes us vulnerable to delays beyond our control. We try to overcome this by maintaining as much backup stock as possible, but with the scale of operations, it’s a tough balance.

Perhaps the answer lies in exploring ways to adjust the flow, preparing contingencies, or even advocating for changes in the offloading process. Addressing these challenges will not only help us meet our commitments more reliably but also reduce the pressure on our teams, ultimately contributing to a smoother, more efficient operation. Until then, we’ll keep adapting, finding solutions one day at a time, always aiming to ensure that our teams can work with the tools they need, right when they need them.