In the bustling world of ground handling at Air Canada, there was one place that stood out like a beacon of youthful energy and camaraderie: Zone 5 on the ramp. It was a hub of activity, a melting pot of young, enthusiastic workers in their 20s and 30s, and it was the stuff of legends in the aviation industry. Of course, in those good old days of the 1970s and 1980s, no safety violations were tolerated, but that didn’t mean there was any shortage of fun to be had on the job.
The memories of Zone 5 were etched deep into the hearts of those who had the privilege of working there. It was a time when going to work didn’t feel like a chore; it felt like stepping into an adventure.
Old Zone 5 was wide-body heaven, handling international flights that brought in massive aircraft from around the world. The camaraderie among the crew members was infectious, and the energy was palpable.
One of the unforgettable moments was when 60 guys showed up to off-load Flight 982 from Bridgetown, Barbados, the night before the Billy Kent Tournament. The Cooper hockey equipment plant was still operating in those days, and the crew knew they had to get those precious cargo loads ready. They worked tirelessly, fueled by their shared sense of purpose and the knowledge that they were part of something bigger than themselves.
Another memory that still brought smiles to their faces was the time when only three guys were left to load a combi aircraft in just 40 minutes. The entire Zone 5 crew had abandoned their posts to catch a Leaf game, and it was up to these three to prove their mettle. And they did, with their fearless redheaded leader (their manager) trusting them to pull it off. The sense of accomplishment was sweeter than any victory on the ice.
Then there were the stories of the second crew handling Air France flights, where horse meat pallets were a regular occurrence. There was a legendary incident when the crew didn’t show up because they were deep into a heated game of Euchre. It was a testament to the camaraderie and trust that existed among the crew members.
And who could forget the Rapidair stretch 8 with just two floaters and a lead? Forty passengers were supposed to disembark in just four minutes, and then they had to get the towbar. It seemed like an impossible task, but they pulled it off with precision and teamwork that left everyone in awe.
Working on the ramp in the seventies and eighties was like a day care for men, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and, of course, a fair share of pranks. Cream pies and grease fights were not uncommon, and The Smith Brothers were notorious for their antics, especially when it came to “Mumps.”
Looking back, those days in Zone 5 were a golden era in the aviation industry. It was a time when young and passionate individuals came together to handle the challenges of the job with a sense of adventure and a deep bond of friendship. The memories of Zone 5 would forever be etched in their hearts, a testament to the joy of working together in a place where the sky was the limit, and the camaraderie knew no bounds.
