Airports are fascinating in their complexity and efficiency.
And it takes an army of workers to make it all happen.
Tell us a bit about your current position and how long youve been at it.
My name is Wes McDonald.
I am a Senior Airport Operations Supervisor where I oversee the day-to-day operations at theHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The airport is owned and operated by the City of Atlanta.
I am in the Department of Aviation, Airport Operations Division.
My division is spilt into two units: Landside and Airside.
I was previously with the Airside Unit (four years) which oversees the airfield, ramps, etc.
I went to college at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA (near the border of FL).
My degree is a Bachelors in Business Management.
I am married with one daughter and a son on the way!
What drove you to choose your career path?
Ive always been into aviation.
My mother is from London and her side of the family lives there so I grew up around airplanes.
During high school, I hung around my local airport and listened to air traffic through a scanner.
I took my dates out there too (what a nerd!).
My job was basically to fuel, wash, and tow aircraft.
This is where I became interested in airport management.
I learned aboutPart 139which is the section of federal regulations that the FAA made for airports to follow.
Since we did not have a proper airport operations department, we were thede factoairport operations supervisors.
How did you go about getting your job?
What kind of education and experience did you need?
After graduating from college, I looked for jobs in the aviation industry, no matter the path.
I came upon an ad for an Airport Operations Agent for the Department of Aviation in Atlanta.
This was with the Cargo Operations unit in the Airside Operations Division.
I blindly applied for it thinking that I wouldnt stand a chance.
I got the call for an interview and drove up to Atlanta.
I failed that test miserably but did fairly well in the interview panel.
A few weeks later, I got a phone call offering me the position!
Did you need any licenses or certifications?
Most major airports want more.
Some airports (smaller hubs) across the country may not require that much.
It depends on the duties they will be responsible for.
Airports can be operated by an authority/commission, government, or private contractor.
To be competitive at most major airports, you will need some sort of certification.
The American Association of Airport Executives certifies employees.
Also you might get your Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Certification.
This allows you to specialize in operations, security, airfield maintenance, or communications.
The more desirable certifications include the Certified Member (CM) or Accredited Airport Executive (AAE).
These require more training and exams.
To be an AAE, you will need to write a research paper and sit an interview panel.
What kinds of things do you do beyond what most people see?
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
Operations Supervisors wear many hats.
We start the day by conducting quality control walkthroughs with our building management contractor.
We monitor the security checkpoints and coordinate with TSA to keep the lines under control.
My office also issues curbside parking, protest and literature distribution permits.
We also monitor construction activities and enforce city ordinances.
Some of my coworkers have provided CPR before… some have done it several times.
Our unit also provides updates to our Public Relations Department and Executives during incidents.
Most people dont understand who we are and what we actually do.
Depending on the day or shift, you might be very busy or very slow, but never bored.
There is always something going on!
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
We are NOT airline customer service, but we will help you as much as we can.
Most importantly we are NOT TSA.
What are your average work hours?
Most Operations and Security units operate on a 9 or 10 hour shift.
We are a 24 hour, 7 day a week operation.
When you have off holidays and weekends, we are working… sometimes overtime!
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
I keep my eye on the passenger booking numbers provided by the airlines.
It allows us to determine how busy the day may be.
I also keep up to date on aviation industry news.
The most challenging thing to know is who to call for different things.
It gets tricky so having contacts around the airport will help you out.
You dont need to know everything, just where to find it.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
What do they do instead?
I like to learn about other airports and how they do things.
Information sharing and comparing procedures is vital to improvement.
On my honeymoon in 2011, I even spent the day shadowing the Saint Maarten Airport Operations Manager.
He took me around the terminal facility and we conducted a runway inspection.
Most of my coworkers are avid travelers or aircraft enthusiasts.
Some like to forget they work for the airport when traveling (I dont blame them).
Its like landscapers having the worst yards in the neighborhood.
Whats the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
I have never been a big fan of facility walkthroughs and quality control inspections.
Its just because the scoring depends on each persons view.
Our janitorial and maintenance staff are under-appreciated… lets give them a hand.
On a heavier note, Ive seen some depressing events too.
Weve had deaths and major injuries over the years.
Ive seen marriage proposals, heart attack patients become alert again, and families reuniting.
Whats the most enjoyable part of the job?
The best thing about my job is that I get to help people.
Some of my favorite things are bumping into friends and celebrities around the airport.
I was on the midnight shift for six years and was always dumbfounded about how much work happens overnight.
I felt like I worked at Disney since it was all ready for passengers by the morning.
Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?
Advice for travelers: arrive at least 90 minutes prior to you departure time.
If its a busier airport, add more time.
Read the signs ahead before asking directions.
The best thing to do is relax and be considerate of others.
Dont panic that youre going to miss your flight.
There will be other flights.
What do people under/over value about what you do?
Passengers dont understand everything that happens to prepare the airport for their arrival.
Sometimes we prepare for major events and heavy passenger days.
My job is to ensure the airport ready and safe for their arrival.
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
Its obviously more in higher cost of living areas such as California and New York.
My two most recent salaries have been in the $50,000-55,000 depending on the shift I work.
How do you move up in your field?
Get as many certifications and training courses under your belt.
Look at the big picture.
This goes with any other job.
Also, get involved and volunteereven if its something you dont like to do.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
The aviation industry is a close-knit community.
Get to know someone in the industry and make them your mentor.
In general: Have passion for what you do.
Sometimes you have to break some eggs to make an omelette.
Do right things instead of doing things right.
If youd like to share your career, email us at[email protected].
Photo byMarkus Gann(Shutterstock).
