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What does it take to run a major, international commercial airline? |
A group of 15 Grade 11 students from schools across the Lower Mainland are being given a first-hand look at how the men and women at Cathay Pacific achieve that task with a series of behind-the-scenes looks at the operation at YVR.
From marketing and customer service to in-flight cabin crews and catering, students in the “I Can Fly” program get to see it all. And last Thursday they were granted airside access on the apron at YVR to see some of the work Cathay’s line maintenance workers do during the 90-minute turnaround window of time many of the flights adhere to.
For Burnett secondary’s Preston Ko, one of three students enrolled in the eight-week program, his interest in the airline industry is as an engineer.
“I really like learning about the way things work, that’s what brought me into physics and engineering,” Ko, 16, said. “And what I’ve wondered, as someone whose interested in physics and engineering, is how something so heavy can fly in the air. That’s what I think about when I see planes.”
Ko added he sees himself exploring career options in the airline industry once he completes post secondary studies.
“I hope that being in this program will increase those chances,” he said.
For Fang Fang Li, a student also from Burnett secondary, getting a look at Cathay aircraft is familiar territory.
Li, 16, said she has averaged at least three to four flights a year back and forth from YVR to Hong Kong during her life so far, and was keen to go explore her interest in engineering and interior design.
So, what would she improve on Cathay’s fights?
“Cathay is well known for its hospitality, but it would be really nice if they could improve the atmosphere on board the flights,” she said. “Right now, it’s pretty good. But it could be better.”
Jennifer Pearson, Cathay’s manager of corporate communications said competition for a spot in the I Can Fly program, which is also offered in Toronto, is high. This year, 200 students submitted applications that involved writing an essay on why they wanted to be included, and a telephone interview.
The program originated in Hong Kong where Cathay is headquartered, and a VYR version was started seven years ago.
During the maintenance department visit the students did a walk around below a Boeing 777-300 ER belonging to Philippine Airlines, one of 10 carriers Cathay provides line (ground) maintenance to at YVR.
And Cathay’s engineering manager of Western Canada, Lary Frial led a tour that included a trip to the plane’s flight deck where students took it turn to sit in the captain’s seat.
“What impresses me the most about the students is their keen attitude where they have this wide-eyed approach to the industry,” Frial said. “And certainly through this outreach program we have at Cathay we are able to deliver that experience in a small sample that will hopefully lead them to choose the right map for their careers.”
It’s also a way of trying to fill a projected shortage of aviation maintenance workers that is expected to be around 5,000 jobs in the coming decade, said Frial.
For more information about the “I Can Fly” program, visit http://cathaypacific.ca/icanfly/program.asp.
