Nguyen Dung has been an officer in charge of training and equipment management for Apron Service Center – VIAGS Tan Son Nhat since 1992. (Cre: Mai Huong).

Teacher in class, colleague in workplace 

Dung used to work in repair center, before being transferred to Apron Service Center and also working as a trainer.

He taught ways to operate equipment, aircraft approach procedure, etc.  Thanks to the experience that he had gained while working for the repair and equipment management center, he did not encounter many difficulties despite his teaching for the first time. Regarding aircraft approach procedure, to create the syllabus, which was the most time-consuming stage in his view, he sharpened his knowledge by reading books and materials, learning more about service procedure of different airlines, then recording videos and observing the staffs at the apron, watching those videos to identify problems.  

His students are of different age groups, from apprentice to experienced ones, some are even older than him. Although he had prepared carefully and did not flounder when being questioned, he admitted: “I still need to learn from those who are more experienced”.

“I still need to learn from those who are more experienced” Dung said. (Cre: Mai Huong).

Even though he is not timid about teaching in front of the class, he remains shy when older students address him “teacher”, instead of referring to each other as brothers. However, his students refuse to and eventually agree on calling him “teacher” in class and using the usual manner of addressing at work.

When Dung doesn’t teach, the students become his colleagues with no gaps between them. But he always reminds himself to be responsible for his role as a “teacher”.

In every lesson, he always reminds his students of ensuring the safety of passengers and aircraft as well as the quality and efficiency of equipment for aircraft. For him, a good ground equipment operator needs to comply with the rules and procedures set by the company and customers and taught by the teacher. They also need to be progressive.

As a trainer for apron staff, he feels happy seeing his students work well and hard, strictly follow the flight safety regulations and service procedures and is highly recognized by airlines and officers for their skills and knowledge on operating equipment.  

“As a trainer, that makes me happy”, he revealed. (Cre: ND).

Concerns for profession

When asked about his work, what concerned Dung most was the area of apron in Tan Son Nhat airport. Since his first day at work, 27 years have passed, the airline has developed considerably with an increasing number of aircraft and ground equipment as well as higher density of air traffic. Although the apron area was expanded but still hasn’t met the demand, which can affect to flight safety. 

Therefore, as an apron officer, he looks forward to the launch of Long Thanh airport which can lower the pressure for Tan Son Nhat airport. He also hopes that VNA can have separate areas for airfields and terminals. This also enables him and his coworkers to better develop their profession. 

His family was too familiar with his being at work 24/7. (Cre: ND).

Time for family

Dung got married in 1996, now he has two kids. His son enters an international university and is majored in finance while his daughter is in grade 10. He does not intervene much in his children’s future career. “At my son’s university, recruitment for pilots is organized annually. He did ask for my opinion but I just replied: it’s up to you”, said Dung. 

The working time for him and his coworkers is quite flexible. They are required to work both in-office hours and in shifts, even at midnight if they are called.

Dung always believed in the leaders of VNA Group for the last 27 years. Dung has witnessed the growth and changes that VNA made to cater to the demands of all passengers. (Cre: Mai Huong).

His family was too familiar with his being at work 24/7. His wife is also busy as she works in the medical profession, hence they understand each other. Time for family is tight, therefore Dung usually goes home or goes swimming after work. For him, taking his kids to school is pure joy.

In summer when his children do not have to go to school, he uses this opportunity to hang out with family. However, summer is also the peak season in VNA, thus he only travels to nearby places for 2 to 3 days and hardly gets the chance to go far from home. “My kids understand the nature of my work so they often travel with their mother. This is what people in the aviation industry have to accept and live with it.” 

Nguyen Mai Huong-COMM