A recent New York Times article featured Prince Jackson, 54, who works 40 hours a week during the graveyard shift for $8 an hour as a security guard at Kennedy International Airport.
Of course, it comes as no surprise to me that ramp workers in a major U.S city are not paid a lot. But to see them highlighted in a study reported in The New York Times is dismaying indeed. According to the Times, the study listed “the city’s worst low-wage employers and industries, those that pay inadequately and fail to offer decent benefits.”
Prominent for me on that list were airline contractors who provide baggage handlers and cabin cleaners.
I know that the airlines look to the lowest bidder for these jobs, but I also know that the lack of training and turnover among employees – probably caused in good part by the poor wages and benefits – causes problems for the contractors who hire these employees and the airlines.
I have written frequently about the ground damage caused by poorly trained and inattentive – possibly fatigued – workers. (Talking about fatigue, it’s likely that at least some of these workers hold more than one job to try to make ends meet and may come to work not quite as well rested as the job may demand.)
I don’t know what the answer to this problem is. And I realize it’s not an easy one to solve. But sometimes seeing it in black and white in The New York Times makes you think again. And for me to write it here so that all of you can offer your thoughts and input.
About the Author
John Goglia
John Goglia has 40+ years experience in the aviation industry. He was the first NTSB member to hold an FAA aircraft mechanic's certificate. He can be reached at [email protected].
John Goglia is an independent aviation safety consultant and Adjunct Professor at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology and regular monthly columnist for four aviation trade publications. He was an airline mechanic for more than 30 years. He has co-authored two text books (Safety Management Systems in Aviation, Ashgate Publishing 2009 and Implementation of Safety Management Systems in Aviation, Ashgate Publishing 2011).
