From pastry chef to process manager Apron Services
‘You can be a process manager anywhere but the dynamic world at Schiphol is very unique. Here, the world literally passes by: aircraft, crew and passengers from around the globe.’
Process manager Ed van Schooten is clear about why he has worked at KLM for the past 22 years. ‘We see the processes at work before our very eyes’. Add to that the diversity of the improvement projects and you'll understand why colleagues such as Ed are always willing to talk about their work. Such as the arrival of the Embraer 195-E2, for example.’
‘As Ground Services we have been closely involved. KLM Cityhopper is awaiting delivery of new aircraft, -the Embraer 195-E2 - and that requires a lot of preparation. I am process manager Apron Services. Together with my colleagues, we work on improving platform processes, among other things. Our goal is a clear, efficient and safe turnaround. That’s the time from an aircraft’s arrival at the airport until it’s departure. A turnaround process also has to be developed for new aircraft such as the Embraer E95-2 as it’s dimensions are slightly different to those of the present fleet.’
From pastry chef to process manager Apron Services
‘You can be a process manager anywhere but the dynamic world at Schiphol is very unique. Here, the world literally passes by: aircraft, crew and passengers from around the globe.’
Process manager Ed van Schooten is clear about why he has worked at KLM for the past 22 years. ‘We see the processes at work before our very eyes’. Add to that the diversity of the improvement projects and you'll understand why colleagues such as Ed are always willing to talk about their work. Such as the arrival of the Embraer 195-E2, for example.’
‘As Ground Services we have been closely involved. KLM Cityhopper is awaiting delivery of new aircraft, -the Embraer 195-E2 - and that requires a lot of preparation. I am process manager Apron Services. Together with my colleagues, we work on improving platform processes, among other things. Our goal is a clear, efficient and safe turnaround. That’s the time from an aircraft’s arrival at the airport until it’s departure. A turnaround process also has to be developed for new aircraft such as the Embraer E95-2 as it’s dimensions are slightly different to those of the present fleet.’
Started in the kitchen making rolls
There’s a lot involved in the turnaround of an airplane and that makes my job is so interesting. The processes under the wing also contribute to a comfortable journey for our passengers. Think about luggage to be carried, water for the onboard toilets, bread rolls for during the flight.’ Ed goes on to tell that working among the bread rolls is exactly where his journey with KLM began.
Having worked as pastry chef at a small company, he started at KLM Catering Services. Following a job as service agent Passage, he arrived at Apron Services. ‘From cookies baker to process manager’, Ed laughs. A wonderful journey indeed, but Ed is certainly not the only one at KLM with such a diverse CV.
‘That’s right. At KLM there are so many different jobs at different levels that there are always plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself. If you’re up to it, the possibilities will always present themselves. But you have to see and grab them yourself. I also have a colleague who has been doing the same work for his whole career. Of course, you can choose to do that, but you don’t have to. I wanted to broaden my horizon and after successfully following a part-time college education I was able to do so. KLM offered me the chance to carry out my graduation project and that’s why I now work here. Imagine, I was 42 years old at the time. This just goes to prove that there are always possibilities.’
Having worked as pastry chef at a small company, he started at KLM Catering Services. Following a job as service agent Passage, he arrived at Apron Services. ‘From cookies baker to process manager’, Ed laughs. A wonderful journey indeed, but Ed is certainly not the only one at KLM with such a diverse CV.
‘That’s right. At KLM there are so many different jobs at different levels that there are always plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself. If you’re up to it, the possibilities will always present themselves. But you have to see and grab them yourself. I also have a colleague who has been doing the same work for his whole career. Of course, you can choose to do that, but you don’t have to. I wanted to broaden my horizon and after successfully following a part-time college education I was able to do so. KLM offered me the chance to carry out my graduation project and that’s why I now work here. Imagine, I was 42 years old at the time. This just goes to prove that there are always possibilities.’
Ground Services jargon
From the Topside building where he works, Ed looks out over the platform where the Cityhopper airplanes are parked. ‘The new airplane is larger than those in the current Cityhopper fleet. That creates a few puzzles when designing a quick, safe turnaround. Quick, because for this type of aircraft we aim for a turnaround of 35 minutes.’
‘A new aircraft offers the opportunity for a complete re-design: with the 195, for example, we've chosen for pushback from the APP instead of PiPo. Therefore, there’s no talkout between two people, which is a considerable cost saving. What’s more, there’s more space for ground equipment which is beneficial for the optimal turnaround.’ This isn't the first time that Ed speaks in fluent GS- jargon. ‘Oh yeah, sorry about that, everyone at the airport speaks it. Get used to it, haha.’
To clear things up: by pushback a tow-truck pushes the airplane back from the APP, the aircraft parking position on the platform. By PiPo, power-in power-out, the airplane uses it’s own engines to arrive at and depart from it’s parking place. Also, by talkout platform employees give spoken instructions.
‘Airplanes don’t have rearview mirrors,’ Ed correctly notes. ‘From here you can see there is always lots going on at Schiphol. The new terminal will be built on this side and that new building on the right is the new A-pier. But it will be another couple of years before it’s complete,’ Ed laughs. Well that will be a lot of turnarounds for the new Embraer.
Ground Services jargon
From the Topside building where he works, Ed looks out over the platform where the Cityhopper airplanes are parked. ‘The new airplane is larger than those in the current Cityhopper fleet. That creates a few puzzles when designing a quick, safe turnaround. Quick, because for this type of aircraft we aim for a turnaround of 35 minutes.’
‘A new aircraft offers the opportunity for a complete re-design: with the 195, for example, we've chosen for pushback from the APP instead of PiPo. Therefore, there’s no talkout between two people, which is a considerable cost saving. What’s more, there’s more space for ground equipment which is beneficial for the optimal turnaround.’ This isn't the first time that Ed speaks in fluent GS- jargon. ‘Oh yeah, sorry about that, everyone at the airport speaks it. Get used to it, haha.’
To clear things up: by pushback a tow-truck pushes the airplane back from the APP, the aircraft parking position on the platform. By PiPo, power-in power-out, the airplane uses it’s own engines to arrive at and depart from it’s parking place. Also, by talkout platform employees give spoken instructions.
‘Airplanes don’t have rearview mirrors,’ Ed correctly notes. ‘From here you can see there is always lots going on at Schiphol. The new terminal will be built on this side and that new building on the right is the new A-pier. But it will be another couple of years before it’s complete,’ Ed laughs. Well that will be a lot of turnarounds for the new Embraer.