Some of you may know that I made the decision to retire earlier this year, prior to the change in the world that we are currently experiencing.  And some may think that it’s an even easier decision to retire now as we deal with the complexities of our changing environment day to day.  I have to honestly say that this is not the case.

For the last 2 months, I have been leading the ASP Incident Command team and I have witnessed how a crisis can really bring people together.  I have been so impressed with the ASP team, from the front-line OSRs and security personnel, to our staff behind the scenes in departments like Human Resources, Resource Planning and Finance.  There have been some extremely difficult decisions made and we know that they are impacting people’s lives, and yet at every corner I see examples of resilience, grace and loyalty amongst our team of employees.  

When I started with ASP 9 years ago as an Operations Manager, I can remember being apprehensive; I was used to working in larger organizations and I wasn’t sure if ASP was going to be interesting or challenging enough.  I could never have imagined then how life-changing this opportunity would be.  Besides being a part of making this company a national presence and bringing in new types of jobs and contracts (and dogs!), I have met people who have changed the way I think and lead and made life-long friends.  

It was and continues to be a difficult choice for me to leave this company that I am so proud to be a part of.  Nevertheless, I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and friends, seeing more of the world and exploring new hobbies.  I can do this with confidence because I know I am leaving ASP with a dedicated group who care as much about the business, as I always will.

It has been my pleasure to work with all of you.  Thank you.  I hope to have the opportunity to see many of you before I take my final leave in July. Stay safe and be well.

Although e-learning has existed for several years as an alternative to classroom learning, it is quickly becoming the new normal. For ASP, it is uncertain when classroom training will resume while social distancing considerations remain in place.

For large classes, it is likely that recertification programs will take place in a virtual classroom.  Many will welcome this change, due to the convenience of a more comfortable learning environment of your choice.  However, there is a misconception that online courses are an easier way to learn rather than a more convenient one.

You must dedicate your attendance, time, and concentration just as you would for a regular in-class course.  Security professionals are highly self-disciplined, and must be able to carry that quality into any environment they choose to learn in.

For those that are not tech-savvy, we can assist with connecting to an e-learning session or provide alternative learning methods. When learning in a virtual classroom, it is important that you have reliable internet access.  Connection issues during a live session means missing out on important content that you may be tested on.  It is also important to have a dedicated study space that is quiet and distraction-free.  Your attention to the instructor should be given just as much as it would be in the classroom.

We will keep you informed of updates regarding the development of our e-learning plan.  Keep safe and we’ll see you online!

The GTAA will be starting a construction project on May 4th to replace concrete slabs on Taxiway H. Originally, the project was supposed to start on April 20^th, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This project requires 4 D AVOPs, 2 DA AVOPs and one Airside Access Control guard.

ASP will be providing the Access Control guard for this particular project.  As the project unfolds, more guards might be required.  This project is a 24/7 operation; however, the majority of the work will be completed overnight. A vehicle will be provided to the guard if there is no booth available at the construction sites.

The guard will be responsible to provide access to the GTAA’s subcontractors according to post orders. GTAA is looking into prioritizing this project, which will subsequently lead to more Taxiway/Runway work this summer.  The work has been planned in three phases and could last until September.  In order to make this project successful, we would require the help of our Airside Access Control guards and our supervisors.

 A heartfelt thank you to the entire OSR team for always reflecting the true spirit of Customer Service through teamwork, dedication and resilience.

Start Each Day with Exercise

• One of the most important things that you can do for your brain and your overall well-being is to start every day with exercise. Simply getting the blood flowing for 20 minutes will sufficiently spark your mind and help you develop stronger focus throughout the day.

Eliminate Pointless Distractions

• Too much stuff within arms’ reach or on your desk can prove to be really distracting. To stay focused at work, only have the things you need neatly organized on your desk — put the rest away properly. Put your phone on silent mode and keep it out of sight at work.

Get Enough Sleep

• Nothing will ruin your focus more than consistent sleep deprivation. To be in top form during your working hours, get at least seven hours of sleep every night, but be careful to not overdo it. If you sleep too much, you may start to have trouble falling asleep at night, which can disrupt your healthy sleep cycle. The best way to get enough sleep on a regular basis is to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Once you do this for a while and your body gets into the routine, it will be easy for you to fall asleep and wake up naturally without using an alarm clock because your mind will be used to the regimen.

Stay Hydrated

• Your concentration tends to dwindle when you’re dehydrated. Increase your daily water intake to stay alert and healthy. Your brain depends on sufficient hydration to function at its best. Your brain cells need to have a delicate balance of water and other elements to work well, and when you don’t have enough water, the balance becomes disrupted and your brain cells lose the ability to work efficiently. Start your day with a big glass of water and continue to drink while you’re working at your post.

Be More Positive in the Workplace

If you make your work more positive, you will be able to give more focus on your tasks. Before you start a task, think about why you are doing it. This will encourage you to think about the output that you want from your work, and it will add value to whatever you’re doing. Find positive ways for your tasks to become fun, such as incorporating some imagination or creativity into the process. If you keep yourself open to fun ideas, you will be bringing a new, positive vibe to your workplace. Games are inherently fun and engaging. Stay on your toes by making work a game.

What a year we have had already! I would like to start by thanking every employee for their hard work and dedication as we traverse our way through these uncertain times.

I am not going to talk about COVID-19 and the impact it has on the operation, as we all know the effect it has caused and how we are working through each changing day. What I am going to highlight is some of the excellent work that has happened over the last three months.

Collective Bargaining Agreement

Firstly, we would like to welcome UFCW 401 as the union representation to our employees. As you are aware, the Collective Bargaining Agreement has been signed and is in effect.

What does this mean? A collective agreement is a written agreement between a trade union and an employer. It is a contract setting out the terms and conditions of employment for each employee covered by the agreement. It is binding on all employees covered. The parties can put into a collective agreement any language that they agree on, specifying the terms and conditions of employment.

For example, that language otherwise known as provisions, may deal with wages, vacations, hours of work, seniority and promotions, layoffs and recall or benefit plans. A necessary provision contained in most collective agreements relates to the employee’s relationship to the union. All collective agreements need a grievance and arbitration provision that allows disputes about the meaning and operation of the agreement to be settled without a work stoppage. A union is not required to arbitrate all grievances; many are resolved through discussion. However, a union has a duty to represent employees fairly in matters arising out of the collective agreement.

STOP Program

We held a Townhall introducing an employee reward and recognition program called the STOP program. The Security Threat Observation Program (STOP) is comprised of training and an incentive program to recognize the individuals who identify the most security threats during a monthly period.

We encourage you to continue to work on the program and, by doing so, enhance the service delivery we are offering to the Calgary Airport Authority.

We have held a workshop with the following attendees: Angus Wilson, Elizabeth Warwick, Daniel McCormack, Ron Greenberg, Dan Watkins, Shannon Jacobson, Ronnie Dias, Shaun Devaux and Laraib Khan. We discussed the potential of improving security procedures and improving our service delivery through access points.

Several excellent suggestions were brought forward, which we are currently working on to not only improve the service delivery to our client, but to provide more significant support and assistance to our employees at these locations.

Shift Bid

Finally, we held a shift bid to realign all the shifts as per the request of many security guards and to be compliant with the CBA. This went without any hiccups – thank you to you and the team for working through this process. In addition to this, we have also realigned the shift supervisors back into teams. By doing this, it will create a better structure for the operation and create a better team spirit.

In closing, we have had a very active first quarter of the year. If anything is evident, it shows how well we as a team, adapt to the ever-changing environment that is working at an airport. I would like to reiterate my appreciation to the whole ASP team for their incredible efforts and support in making this operation the best it can be.

The first few months of 2020 have brought some exciting changes to the type of technology used by the Calgary team. These new systems and devices make our lives easier and our work more efficient and effective.

InTime App

The IVR system used by employees to punch in and out has been discontinued and replaced with the InTime app. We have also installed tablets around the terminal and at NPS-V North and NPS-V South to allow employees who do not have access to the app to punch in and out. So far, we have already seen an improvement in the experience employees have punching in and out on time.

The Sonim devices used by our Terminal Patrollers, Airside Patrollers and Supervisors to track their patrols and daily activities received an upgrade to the new XP8 model. The improved version is more reliable, durable, has a larger screen and can recharge faster than the former devices.

Standardized Incident Reports

Another great addition to the technology used at YYC is the tool created by SOC Operator Durand Short. Each day, our SOC operators take many calls and are responsible for tracking incidents and events in the Calgary Airport Incident Reporting System (CAIRS).

Durand realized that many of the CAIRS reports they completed each day were very similar, with only the times and names of the individuals involved changing. As a result, he created an Excel spreadsheet that can automatically create a CAIRS report with the click of a few buttons. This saves valuable time for our SOC operators and ensures that all reports are accurate, consistent, and professional. Thank you, Durand!

Tracking Training and Credentials

We are also in the process of implementing a new way of tracking training and credentials in SharePoint, which will make it easier for us to ensure that all employees receive notification well in advance of their license and training expiration dates.

Although we have had small challenges to overcome with transitioning to the new technology used in Calgary, the team has adapted well to the changes and has become better as a result. We will continue to look for new ways that we can support the team with better technology in the days to come and are always open to suggestions. If you have a suggestion, please reach out to your supervisor or manager.