ASQ Calgary Blog
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on Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Category: Event Wrap-ups
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Event Wrap-up: WestJet Tour
On February 20, 2008, 20 members of ASQ section 0409 toured the WestJet maintenance facility in NE Calgary. Our tour guide provided an excellent opportunity to review maintenance operations for commercial aircraft.
Aside from the opportunity to view the inner working or aircraft up close, we also gained some insight into the attitude behind the success of WestJet. For the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME’s), the goal was to ensure the aircraft is properly maintained, so that it is flying as much as possible. The maintenance staff also stressed the role of standardization in the fleet of aircraft. By using only the Boeing 737, WestJet can significantly reduce the parts overhead. Minimizing the type of aircraft also means standardized operating procedures in other areas like safety, flying, and general maintenance.
Training plays a significant role in keeping WestJet in the air. The facility has a full simulator section that is so realistic that time spent in the simulator is deemed to be counted as actual flying time. Flight attendant training is also conducted on site. In the aircraft cabin simulator, the attendant staff members are trained in safety and evacuation procedures. Maintainers are also trained in the latest technical aspects of the 737 aircraft.
What struck me as being consistent was that everyone we talked to was focused on minimizing cost while trying to add customer value. In other words, all activities were focused on minimizing the consumption of fuel and materials while at the same time maximizing the time the aircraft has in the air. What was even more evident was the focus on the customer at WestJet. WestJet has a firm
belief that the way to increased revenues and profitability was by keeping as many satisfied customers flying in their aircraft. To WestJet, planning for customer satisfaction is essential, neglect nothing.
ASQ Calgary would like to thank our tour guide Dan Murray and the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers at WestJet for and excellent tour!
~Jim Armstrong
Aside from the opportunity to view the inner working or aircraft up close, we also gained some insight into the attitude behind the success of WestJet. For the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME’s), the goal was to ensure the aircraft is properly maintained, so that it is flying as much as possible. The maintenance staff also stressed the role of standardization in the fleet of aircraft. By using only the Boeing 737, WestJet can significantly reduce the parts overhead. Minimizing the type of aircraft also means standardized operating procedures in other areas like safety, flying, and general maintenance.
Training plays a significant role in keeping WestJet in the air. The facility has a full simulator section that is so realistic that time spent in the simulator is deemed to be counted as actual flying time. Flight attendant training is also conducted on site. In the aircraft cabin simulator, the attendant staff members are trained in safety and evacuation procedures. Maintainers are also trained in the latest technical aspects of the 737 aircraft.
What struck me as being consistent was that everyone we talked to was focused on minimizing cost while trying to add customer value. In other words, all activities were focused on minimizing the consumption of fuel and materials while at the same time maximizing the time the aircraft has in the air. What was even more evident was the focus on the customer at WestJet. WestJet has a firm
belief that the way to increased revenues and profitability was by keeping as many satisfied customers flying in their aircraft. To WestJet, planning for customer satisfaction is essential, neglect nothing.
ASQ Calgary would like to thank our tour guide Dan Murray and the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers at WestJet for and excellent tour!
~Jim Armstrong
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