Post Conference ...

YVR TOUR

by: Mike Jones

Presenters : Valentin Agen & Rumneek Johal

We were met by the YVR Team of Valentin and Rumneek at the Canada Line
skytrain station and proceed to the Graham Clarke Atrium for an introduction to
YVR.
We then moved to the lower level to review the many departments and functions
of YVR, Vancouvers international airport. Following a walk to the upper level YVR
meeting facility we were given a media presentation on Air Side Operations and
the full range of employment and career options under the YVR umbrella. These
Internal Operations
include those available with many of the YVR partner companies. In this regard it
was noted that there are approximately 26,000 people employed throughout the Sea Island complex. This was followed
by a discussion in the United States terminal of the operations in the area related to inter-country and international
operations with a focus on pre-travel security at YVR to facilitate cross-border travel.
The environment schema of Land, Sea and Air were highlighted, noting the colours related to each. The strong First Nations motif was note to be a key element of YVRs ambiance.
Moving on, the primary general service languages were noted as English,
French and Chinese, although it was noted there are translation services
available for over one hundred different languages.
After a walk through the international check-in hall, we arrived at the Graham Clarke Atrium with its center piece double-sided totem pole symbolizing the meeting of East and West. Looking up from the atrium floor can
be seen a high relief carving of Mother Moon. It was here that YVRs corporate commitment to nature and sustainability were emphasized including hybrid vehicles, driving techniques and the environmentally friendly
Canada Line sky train that went into operation in 2009.
The Tour Group

Back in the terminals we arrived at the Domestic check-in where the various security operations were commented on. The screening process for passengers was touched on, including boarding
pass checks, carry-on and personal screening. Then there is the screening of those employees whose jobs take them
air side. These people have a high level of security screening and random testing. Want to refuse a scan? ... you lose
your clearance immediately ... and possibly even your job.
The final station on the tour was the upper level Observation Deck. Rumneek used a detailed model to light up the
various regions and runways of the airport. The growth of the airport was noted, as was the evaluation of the types and
sizes of aircraft landing at & taking off from YVR, and how global travel is achieved from 2016s Best Airport in the
World. Valentin gave us a visual tarmac tour of what can be seen happening on the airports runways, taxiways and
gates. Noting that there is an airplane landing or taking off every two minutes, the job of the previously discussed
NavCan air traffic controllers in the tower, with the assistance of the all seeing golf ball technology seen on the tarmac in the traffic area were acknowledged as part of the technology critical to the safe and efficient operation of todays modern airports. The safety that is so key to air travel was illustrated by the capability of the Fire/Rescue service,
the Wild Life Controls (birds), Foreign Object Debris (FOD) monitoring & removal, and the safety & certification requirements for operating all air side vehicles.

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