Close up: Alan Dobson, Operational Supervisor, Tucson Service Centre
Q. What is your most memorable customer experience?
A. My most memorable customer experience dates back to when I was an A&P technician working on Global aircraft. The customer’s aircraft had a nose wheel steering (NWS) pulling to the left during taxi issue. I worked on every part of the system from the nose landing gear electronic control unit rig (NLG ECU), steering manifold, NLG steering actuators, rotary-variable differential-transducers (RVDT), the whole nine yards. The customer stayed engaged and up to date on all our troubleshooting steps. What made this customer’s involvement unique was that he saw and acknowledged the continuous efforts of not just myself, but the whole Bombardier team. He told me, “I can tell you love what you do by how hard you’re working on my aircraft to try and fix the issue. I really appreciate your devotion. Techs like you are why I bring my plane to Bombardier’s service centre in Tucson.” That motivated me to work even harder to provide a quality service, and make Bombardier look even better not just for his aircraft but also for projects in the future.
Q. What makes you proud to work at Bombardier?
A. I am proud to work at Bombardier not only because we are business leading innovators in the aerospace industry, but because of the way our leadership team takes care of its employees. From senior level to site level management, they have shown that they care about technician wages and the work/lifestyle balance.
Q. Tell us something about your personal life experiences?
A. I have worked for Bombardier now for almost 10 years. Before that I worked for the Mississippi Air National Guard as an Aerospace Propulsion Technician (Jet engine mechanic) on the C-17 Globemaster III. After my last deployment in 2010, I decided I wanted to further my civilian career path and went to school for my A&P license. Once I graduated, I submitted my resume to Bombardier Tucson, and this became my new home.
Q. What is your favourite Bombardier aircraft or product and why?
A. I love Global jets. The power the engines produce, the beautiful lines of the airframe, from classic Global aircraft all the way up to the Global 7500s. The interior cabin setups and design make for beautiful aircraft. The Global Vision Flight Deck is my favorite aspect of them all.