En Voyage_Issue#11_Flickbook

En Voyage
I think we have a reputation
for ‘getting people home’,
which is important. To do
everything we can possibly
do to get our passengers
where they need to be.
MEET AURIGNY’S LONGEST SERVING MEMBER OF STAFF
PHIL LANOE
Phil Lanoe, the airline’s
Cabin Services Manager, has
now entered his 43rd year
of service with the airline,
and is a very familiar face
at Guernsey Airport. During
his time with Aurigny he has
worked in a number of roles
and has seen some significant
changes over the decades.
As part of our 50th anniversary
celebrations, we catch up with
Phil at Guernsey Airport….
When did you first join Aurigny?
I first joined in 1976 and back in
those days we carried out a variety
of roles in one. Check-in, ticketing,
reservations, boarding. Everyone
was multi-functional. Everything
was also done manually. We
used perspex check-in boards
for every flight. We would list
the passengers as male, female,
child, and the pilot used these
details to trim (balance) the aircraft
and allocate the seats on the
Trislander. These boards would
be wiped and reused for the next
flight. In those early days our
service was centred around our
inter-island routes – with flights to
Alderney, Jersey and Cherbourg
and Alderney to Southampton.
What was the aviation
industry like then?
Everything was a bit more
relaxed back then. One of the big
changes we have seen is the extra
security in place at airports now,
for obvious reasons. There is also
more compliance and regulation
now. I remember one day, years
ago, I checked in a passenger who
was on the last flight to Jersey.
Later, as the flight was leaving, he
suddenly appeared and said he’d
missed the flight. Back then, we
were able to get in touch with the
tower, say we still had a passenger
at the airport and the aircraft was
able to come back to pick him up.
Back in the early years of interisland
travel, we were also able to
seat passengers next to the pilot
on the Trislander. A lot of regulars
really enjoyed sitting there.
What do you most enjoy
about your work?
Every day is different, there is
such a variety of things to do. No
two days are the same here.
The airport is like a little
community, you get to know
a lot of people. There’s always
challenges and always passengers
you can help. We will always
try to help if it’s possible.
What is the biggest challenge?
For everything to operate
smoothly it takes a lot of team
work. We are all part of a jigsaw
and have to work together.
It’s important to be a team
player. and everyone has to
play their part. It is satisfying
when it all goes to plan and we
get everyone away on time.
What have been your highlights
over the decades?
In my previous role as Station
Manager, I had to oversee the
moving from the old airport to
new airport. The runways, the
aprons, the airport terminal, and
the cargo complex were all rebuilt.
There was a lot going on then.
Quite a few years ago, we
also had Concorde make an
approach at Guernsey Airport
and it came down to about 100ft.
We stood outside and saw it
sail by. That was great to see.
Aurigny has always had a
special link to the community.
Why do you think that is?
I think we have a reputation for
‘getting people home’, which
is important. To do everything
we can possibly do to get our
passengers where they need to be.
We’re also close enough to
the community that there’s
direct contact with the airline.
People can come to us and ask
us questions and we’ll always try
our best to solve any issues.
Why do you think we have so
many loyal and long-serving staff?
I think it’s partly down to
the people you work with.
Your part of the team.
There has always been a good
social side as well, with events
and activities outside of work.
I really enjoy working at the
airport. The proof has got to be
that I’m here in my 43rd year.
What’s you’re birthday
message for Aurigny?
Continue to serve the Bailiwick
and its community the best we
can. Here’s to another 50 years.
8 En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine