As enormous challenges continue in the airline industry, maybe those involved should take heart in the words of Tom Hanks as Coach Jimmy Dugan in the movie League of our Own.

“If it were easy, everybody would do it.”

Dugan’s reference to playing baseball applies to leaders in this business faced with keeping “lift” in the continuing recovery of the air travel industry since Covid.  If forecasts come true, airlines will find a profit in 2023, but it won’t come easily because factors including high fuel costs, labor shortages (including pilots) and financial anxiety of travelers continue to suppress what would otherwise be a booming market.

Those factors considered, other experts (let’s call them coaches) remind their teams they still have a very hands-on role in this recovery.  How they deliver the Product, how they Perform, and at what Price, will win the game. You can throw all of those P’s into the word “experience”, and remember what the customer experiences is always the bottom line.

Then there’s the old curve ball of ever-changing conditions and expectations.  For example, one airline CEO points to the new hybrid or remote workforce (many more people working from home or other spots).  He notes increased business for air carriers, especially around off-peak travel periods because of that mobile workforce. Short, 3 or 4 day weekend trips are more possible because business travelers can stay connected, and work from the air.  It might also impact high travel periods, like upcoming Memorial Day, because travelers can add a day to their weekend without missing work.

Just as in baseball, new trends eventually work their way into every aspect and level of the game.  Wi-Fi connection from the air has meant opportunity at SAS.   We’re capturing it with our narrow and wide-body Wi-Fi stands which give Ground Support crews necessary equipment to safely install and maintain satellite communications.

We’re now placing multiple orders for those stands with American and Delta Airlines and we aim to do more, and with more carriers.  It’s still the early innings.

Ol’ Coach Dugan knew keeping all his players in the game was vital to success.  At SAS, we design aircraft maintenance stands thinking about perils and ways to avoid having your team on injured reserve.

For example, our Wi-Fi stands have fully enclosed work areas with full aprons to prevent falling tools.  They can be moved into place by crew members versus electronic tugs, preventing runaway accidents. “Non-slip sliders” allow a stand to fit snug to the aircraft, protecting crew from a misstep.

“If it were easy, everybody would do it.”

Not everybody is building safe, reliable aircraft maintenance stands. But we like the game.