AIRWAYS SPECIAL
TALES FROM THE RAMP :
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AIRPLANES AREN ’ T FLYING
Story & Photos NICO ADKINS
It ’ s 03:00 and , while other people might be going back home to rest , my alarm clock rings and my workday begins . I ’ m off to take part in one of the most crucial functions aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of commercial air travel .
I AM A TURNAROUND COORDINATOR , or TCO , and , today , I am thrilled to share with you my routine and experience as I dispatch five or six airplanes at one of the busiest airports in Europe .
TCOs are often identified by different names depending on their specific tasks and responsibilities . In my case , I act as the representative handler of the airline while a plane is being turned around on the ground between flights . In the span of one to two hours , I need to ensure that all services — such as catering , cleaning , or refueling — are completed quickly and safely .
It is also my job to brief and monitor the loading and boarding of cargo and passengers , and to manage and solve any incidents that may occur .
Come along with me on a normal coordinator ’ s day to discover the tales from the ramps : what happens when airplanes are not flying ?
WAKING UP THE AIRPORT
My shift starts extremely early , as most airports do not come to a stop even during the quietest hours of the night . While most flights land at and
46 AIRWAYS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2024 www . airwaysmag . com