Jack
Shift Leader, Manchester Bond

After attending an Alpha Recruitment Day, Jack was lured by the pull of working in the exciting world of air travel. "I was a warehouse and shop manager for an office stationery company when I saw the open day details. I was interested because it's a prestigious location, the hours looked attractive and the roles with Alpha offered overtime opportunities."

"I've been part of the team for over eight years now and my role has grown. I help to make sure airline requests for bonded items, like tobacco and liquor, are managed, that any customer problems are resolved quickly and that the range of client and Custom & Excise requirements are met. We're always planning for the unexpected - passenger numbers could change or flights could be delayed. Whatever happens we're here to make sure the customer is satisfied, so there's plenty to keep me busy."

"I've got a big responsibility for staff too, which covers things from security checks and induction to training. That's the bit I really enjoy most about the job. I like developing people, helping them make the most of their skills and abilities and the company support me to do just that."

Stephen
LGV Driver, Manchester

Steve was a long distance driver before seeing an Alpha advertisement in the local paper. "I hadn't heard of the company before but was attracted by the opportunity to drive on short runs and the fact that the job was based near to home."

"I really enjoy the driving for Alpha. A typical shift will start with my giving the vehicle a check before loading it with catering, bar and retail trolleys. You'd be surprised at how much goes onto one aircraft, but when you're looking after hundreds of people on a plane there's a lot that needs to be taken onboard. Once loaded, I'll drive from the food preparation units onto the airport to deliver the load to an aircraft. It calls for good driving skills as there is a lot of traffic around the airport and with things, like a jumbo jet, on the move you've got to have really good awareness. Even drawing up to an aircraft needs real care as you don't want to bump a multi-million pound plane!"

"I get to meet more people working for Alpha, which is different to my previous driving job, as I'll liaise with the cabin crew to make sure everything is stowed away safely. Once an aircraft is loaded I'll take used items that may have come in from the previous destination back to the wash areas or if it's a first flight I'll head straight back to base to load up for the next job. It's quite physical work but I like the freedom Alpha gives me to get on with my work without lots of interference."

Georgina
Production Team Manager, Gatwick Woolborough Lane

After spending her gap year with us, Georgina couldn't resist coming back for more. "I came across Alpha when I was looking for a placement on my gap year at university and noticed a role that would complement my Food and Catering Management degree. I had no idea how big the organisation was - and the variety of jobs within it - but I really enjoyed my year out and returned to work with Alpha full time as a Team Manager once I'd completed my degree."

"The people I work with are great - it's a real team environment where everyone pulls together - and that's what has to be achieved everyday to get the right food and equipment on the right plane at the right time. I manage a shift of up to 20 people and play a very hands-on role from ensuring that hygiene regulations are complied with to liaising with sister departments to make sure we keep to our strict production schedules. Every time one of my planes takes off I get a real feeling of satisfaction!"

Alan
Shift Leader - Equipment Supply, Birmingham

Before Alan joined Alpha you would be more likely to find him up a ladder in his previous role as a painter and decorator. "My son worked for Alpha and had always enjoyed being part of the team, so when I was looking for a position with greater job security, Alpha seemed a natural choice. I now run a shift in our equipment store which supplies all the many items needed onboard an aircraft - from cutlery to condiment sets, napkins and much more."

"It's a busy environment as we have to work to airline flight schedules and with different airlines having their own branded items there's a lot to be done to make sure we deliver an excellent service. After all, we can't delay a plane because there aren't any knives and forks onboard! Day-to-day I'll be involved in stock taking and organising the shift to make sure they're allocated their work schedules and know which flights they're equipping. Motivating and developing people is a big part of my role within the team. I really enjoy the variety of work I get involved in and it's quite nice to work a three days on three days off shift system as I get a three day break to do other things - usually painting and decorating!.

Yar
Packer - Equipment Supply

Yar originally worked with Alpha on a temporary agency contract and he enjoyed it so much he joined up. "I had found working for Alpha a great experience. The people I worked with were friendly and very supportive and the managers always treated everyone as equal. I like a strong team atmosphere, so as soon as I saw an internal vacancy advertisement on the staff notice board I applied. On joining, I was part of the team behind the scenes issuing from stores the many items needed onboard a flight. You'd be surprised what Alpha has to provide to make a flight go smoothly - from knives, forks, teapots, napkins, cups, saucers and more. Imagine flying without these things onboard and you'll soon see why what we do is so important."

"Now I am a packer and load these items onto the aircraft trolleys to the agreed specification. It's vital we get the packing right because at 30,000 feet the cabin crew don't want to be hunting around for the things as the cabin service has to operate smoothly. I like it here, I am comfortable doing the job and everyone gets on with each other."

John
Head Chef

Having enjoyed many years as a hotel executive head chef John joined Alpha to enjoy a more challenging role that promised more variety. "I've a friend who works for Alpha and they put me onto the opportunity and I am very pleased they did."

"The role is very challenging and I do so much more than prepare food, although the food preparation side is stimulating. In a shift I am creating meals in our hot kitchen for British Airways, then Finnair and even Pakistani International so the ingredients and tastes are very different. I also compile work schedules for the team, manage stock rotation, meet gross profit targets and ensure compliance paperwork is complete. I enjoy much more people contact, getting involved in management meetings and liaising with Customer Service Managers to ensure our service to our airlines clients is the very best. I really enjoy it here, I am always learning new things as no two days are the same - and with no evening work I get to enjoy time relaxing with my family."