Borrow Trained Employees When Needed?

May 14, 2014
He points out that decades ago it was not atypical for someone to work for one employer for his/her entire working life

I have just read a piece written by Anthony Onesto. I don't know the fellow but his headline--Why the Future of Work Will Be Dramatically Different--caught my eye.

He points out that decades ago it was not atypical for someone to work for one employer for his/her entire working life. Today, that doesn’t usually happen. Tomorrow, workers may be shared.

Don’t laugh before you think about it. We already have Angie’s List, where you can look for and find someone to do most any task. Businesses have temps filling in during rush periods and/or when the company is short on employees. Is there really any doubt that this type of thing will grow and expand?

This might work really well for airports. But, airports have employees who can’t be replaced quickly in the local market. Ramp workers are just one example of people who must be trained for the job, and nobody trains them except airports. You just can’t find them on Angie’s List.

But maybe there’s an answer.

For example, I fly out of TRI in Kingsport, TN. They are tremendously busy—swamped—during NASCAR race weeks at Bristol Motor Speedway. Where can go they go to hire temporary ramp workers or security people? I wonder. The airport 60 miles away at Asheville, NC, might be having a slow or normal week. Could they spare a few ramp workers for a week?

I know of one FBO that has used this idea very successfully. Showalter Flying Service, Orlando, has brought in ramp people from other FBOs when NBAA, AOPA and other large conventions/shows come to Orlando. For the NBAA show Showalter doubles the normal ramp-service crew with skilled ramp workers from other FBOs known, admired and trusted by the Showalters. In reverse, the Showalters help the FBO at Augusta, GA expand with Showalter employees during the Masters Tournament.

Bob tells me that this does require extra money and extra effort, not the least of which is to gain the cooperation of the other FBOs and their employees.

Sounds like a winner to me.

I

.