Savannah, GA, February 1, 2008 – Operational problems present an opportunity to excel in delivering value on the aircraft asset, and “Operational Problem-Solving Tricks of the Trade,” which was offered twice during the Conference this week, helped schedulers develop a framework to handle these problems. The session was led by a panel of seasoned schedulers who shared their knowledge and experience in resolving issues related to weather, mechanicals, crew duty and more.

“Great customer service lies at the heart of a flight operation’s value proposition,” said one panelist. “The mission of any flight operation is to ensure that the owners receive the best value for their aircraft asset. When problems arise, the components of value are the guideposts of operational decision-making.”

Attendees were give a problem-solving framework to identify problems; communicate with customers; research solutions; offer solutions to customers; monitor effectiveness of solutions; evaluate the internal causes of the problem and the solutions put in place; and follow up with passengers.

The panel also offered tricks of the trade to alleviate problems before they occur, such as examining fleet schedules before reacting, cautioning that the solution may be right in front of you and missing it could be costly. Other recommendations were to check fleet deadheads before booking commercial for crew and other company employees, always label your Jeppesens with the tail number and trip itinerary, and check the weather the night before and be prepared to position due to fog.

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