As a Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Mechanic for Air Canada, I keep our equipment on the apron running smoothly. We look after a lot of different equipment used to pushback aircraft, load and unload cargo holds, move bags between the terminal and the aircraft. Anything that you see on the ground, that’s something my team and I maintain.

When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I really liked cars. I started off fixing cars to have fun, but by the end of my high school career I started a co-op at a car dealership. I did my apprenticeship there and became a licensed mechanic from there, beginning an eleven-year career as an auto mechanic.

In 2005, I realized I wanted a change, and that’s when I landed at Air Canada. Its interesting work, and I’m learning new things every day at GSE. As a GSE Mechanic, I touch most pieces of equipment, but I specialize in air conditioning and heating units. When an aircraft lands and is connected to a bridge, air conditioning or heating units may be used to cool or heat the aircraft. These units can vary in size, but the biggest has close to 190 pounds of Freon refrigerant in it. Your car only has 1-2 pounds, so you can imagine how big it is.

Each day starts with pre-maintenance inspections of equipment, looking for parts that are wearing out or snags that need to be fixed. We do oil changes, change the filters and generally make sure the units are in good working condition.

For me, the best part about this job is being able to work with my hands. Fixing a unit and getting it back into service, that takes a certain skill, but I get pleasure in being able to diagnose the problem and fix it on my own.

- Chris, Ground Support Equipment Mechanic

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