With a number of airlines contracting out ground handling, will the other airlines follow and how will it affect GSE sales?

Although these challenges exist, I believe the competence level of the employees working in this industry, whether it be an airline employee or an FBO employee, has never been greater. Additionally, the relationship between the two parties has gained respect for what they have been able to accomplish.

LARRY LANEY
Director Ground Support,
Southwest Airlines

When someone asks me about security issues and concerns it reminds me of the Texas weather "If you don't like a current security issue, just wait a day and a new Security Directive will come out from the FAA or TSA."

Did you know that there have been over 60 Security Directives issued since September 11th and that
most Carrier's have had to change their AOSSP's (Aircraft Operators Safety Security Program) at least eleven times?

So how has that impacted handlers? I would think that unless the handler is contracted by a carrier to manage both customer service and ramp operations that there won't be a major effect on the handlers.

Since carrier's rarely outsource customer contact functions, most handler's contracts are strictly for ramp operations and maintenance. Once the passengers have been screened and the baggage has made its way to the baggage make-up area, loading and unloading of the bags and getting the aircraft off on its way has not changed significantly as a result of security issues.

The security changes since September 11th, although important and needed, are increasing carrier's cost which will eventually increase everyone's cost in the industry including handling companies.

If I were managing a ground handling company, I would be more concerned about new emission reduction programs being proposed by the California Air Resource Board which will drive up their cost along with the carrier's when the industry can least afford it.