Today we are going to look closely at a day in the life of an Airline Ramp Agent. Ramp work is, for lack of better terms, brutal - early morning shifts start with sub-zero external temperatures in the winter and summer afternoon shifts on the hot tarmac rise well into the triple digits (one airline mechanic said they measured the tarmac to be 160+ degrees F mid-summer in Las Vegas). This job requires incredible amounts of strength - lifting bags, cleaning planes, dealing with delicate cargo - all while sticking to strict schedules and safety guidelines. Breaks often don’t happen because of the daily rush. Lunch is a maybe. A good schedule depends on seniority. Employee turnover is high. I...
Most outdoor jobs can't be put on hold when the weather turns hot - from outdoor drive-thru employees to airline ramp workers, battling the summer elements is embedded in the job description. Employers have to get creative, finding innovative methods to keep employees cool in the intense heat and summer sun. The implications on safety and health are too severe and costly otherwise - heat stroke, fatigue, and dehydration are serious concerns that limit your manpower and in extreme cases, land people in the hospital! Interestingly enough, Phase Change Material (PCM) Cooling Vests offer an interesting solution. Let's brush up on some simple science before comparing the features of PCM Vests on the market. Phase What? Temperature Who? A phase change is when a...
IceCase: Historical Context and Success The IceCase is the direct result of a request Qore Performance received from Bruce and his team at Chick-fil-A Goodyear. Bruce and his team were looking at a cooling solution that would prevent iPads from overheating while team members were in the intense Arizona sun taking orders (iPOS). His goal was to double the iPad's operational time from 20-30 minutes to one hour. During live iPOS field testing (August 2017, external temperature = 107 degrees F), IceCase prototypes outperformed this and kept the iPad Mini fleet operational for 2+ hours with power to spare. Mission accomplished! iPad Battery Life in the Cold With temperatures dropping, we've started to get inquiries regarding the capabilities of IceCase in cold weather conditions. In cold...
It is quick and easy to fill the HiVis StayFrosty Vest (HSV) with warm and/or hot water during the winter months to keep you comfortable (IcePlate Funnel is available for purchase on our website). This is the IcePlate "winter mode" and leverages thermal conductivity to keep you comfortable and safe in even the coldest conditions. Each user will have a different sensitivity to heat. On your first usage we recommend that you fill the IcePlate halfway with hot water from the coffee machine and the remainder of the way with warm water from the sink so you can find the temperature that works best for you (comfort, time, drinkability, etc.). To fill, unzip and remove the cap from the front sleeve. Insert...
I not only know, but also love the fast food drive-thru business. Before joining Qore Performance, I worked with Chick-fil-A for over 9 years. My work with them started at the age of 14 at the front counters, and by 18 I was promoted to Director of Operations. The cornerstone of Chick-fil-A’s business model is a dedication to customer service. In order to improve the customer experience and keep drive-thru times down, Chick-fil-A is constantly increasing the number of employees working outside. More and more, you now see team members walking from car to car with tablets in hand, taking orders and even accepting payments. This new drive-thru system works great when it is 70 degrees F and partly...
