As the newly appointed Lead station attendant at zone 4, I was two weeks into my role and my crew and I were on the afternoon shift. We were assigned to a flight to TPA and were in the midst of preparing the aircraft for takeoff. However, there was a revision to the load sheet and an issue with the can number of the priority container that caused some concern.
Upon investigating the matter, I found that the last digit of the can number was indeed in error, but I was certain that the container in question was the correct one with priority. My crew and I finished loading the last can into the back door of the aircraft and proceeded with the flight. The engines started and the plane left the gate, while my crew and I were eagerly looking forward to our lunch break.
Just as we were about to relax, my ramp manager came racing to the gate and informed me that he had received a call from the load agent regarding the wrong can number. Despite my insistence that I was aware of the situation and had confirmed the correct can with priority, my manager was not satisfied and ordered the flight to return to the gate.
As the aircraft came back and parked, I was frustrated as I knew I had done my due diligence, but my manager still did not trust me. My crewmate took the loader to the back and I and my manager followed, ready to prove my point. Sure enough, when we removed the can from the doorway, it was indeed the priority container that I had confirmed earlier. My manager was stunned and his head was twitching as he realized the mistake he had made.
I told him, “I told you so,” as he stood there speechless. He eventually told me to dispatch the flight, but I refused. My crew and I had already been on shift for six hours and were due for lunch, and besides, someone else would need to be called for an air start. I stood my ground and ultimately, a new crew was called in to handle the flight.
The moral of this story could be that trust and communication are crucial in the workplace. It is important to listen to your subordinates and consider their opinions, even if they are new to their role. Trusting someone’s professional judgment can save time and resources, as well as prevent unnecessary mistakes. On the other hand, speaking up and standing your ground when you know you’re right is also important. This story also highlights the importance of following protocols and double-checking details to ensure accuracy.
