FOR most passengers, the runway marks the start or end of a journey.
But for the six Redlands locals pictured below, it is where the working day begins.
The Redlands crew are part of Brisbane Airport’s Airside Safety team, working behind the scenes to help keep one of Queensland’s busiest transport gateways operating safely and efficiently.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said about 25,000 people worked across the airport precinct, including almost 2000 from the Local Redland Bayside News readership area.
“In our Airside Safety team alone, seven of the 25 team members live in Redland City,” he said.
Jack Adams, who grew up in Birkdale and now lives in Capalaba, has worked at Brisbane Airport for about 15 years.
Mr Adams said the team’s job was to ensure everything inside the airport perimeter kept moving safely and efficiently.
“It could be something in regard to airlines, infrastructure, weather or wildlife – many different things that affect the movement of how everything goes,” he said.
Airside officers inspect runways, taxiways and aprons for pavement defects, debris and lighting faults, then coordinate repairs or closures when required.
“We go around all pavement areas, taxiways, runways and aprons, and inspect to make sure there’s no concrete failing, no debris that has flown out from the terminal, and all the lighting is operational,” Mr Adams said.
The team works 12-hour shifts, including overnight, with wildlife and severe weather among the more difficult factors to manage.
“You don’t know when a flock of birds wants to cross a particular part of the runway, and we have to make sure there are no planes flying at that time and let the birds get out of the way,” he said.
Hayley Schorn, also from the Redlands, has been at the airport for about seven years.
Ms Schorn said passengers often spotted the team’s yellow vehicles but did not realise their role.
“People don’t realise we’re out here until you mention the yellow cars and they say, ‘Oh, we’ve seen those yellow cars. What do you do?’ ” she said.
Her work can include runway checks, wildlife management and ensuring taxiways are clear of foreign objects which could pose a risk to aircraft.
“You’ll come to work and you don’t know what you’re doing (that day),” she said.
“You’ll have your basic operations that need to be covered, but it changes completely every day.”
One of the more unusual callouts came when Ms Schorn found small crabs making their way across a runway.
“We were doing a runway inspection and saw them lined up across the runway,” she said.
“We called the tower to let them know but had to repeat ourselves several times because they didn’t believe us.
“We had to get out and pick up some crabs.”
Despite working around aircraft every day, she said the thrill had not worn off.
“When you first come over airside, you still get that rush like you’re going on holidays,” Ms Schorn said.
Her message for passengers who spot the yellow vehicles from their windows was simple.
“Keep an eye out for us and give us a wave,” she said.
“We’re always looking at the aircraft, and I still wave at the pilots.
“It gives me a giggle when they wave back.”
Mr de Graaff said airside staff played a critical role in keeping the airport safe for the 25 million passengers who travelled through Brisbane Airport each year.
“For many Redland and Bayside residents, Brisbane Airport is a convenient place to work close to home, avoiding the longer commute into the city,” he said.
“With another 10,000 jobs expected to be created across the precinct over the coming decade, there will be even more opportunities for locals to build a career at Brisbane Airport.”
