Real-Life Decision Making
It's summertime at last. It's a time when all the airlines
are overbooked, and when everybody is on vacation. While passengers are escaping
stress in search of relaxation, airplanes are overworked and breaking down
as demanding schedules are set for these planes.
In the midst of an airline's battle to win profits, avionics technicians
play an important role. "Avionics technicians are responsible for an airplane's
communication system, navigation system and flight control," says technician
Stephen Chandler. "If there are any problems detected, it is their responsibility
to fix it.
"If it is not economical, we just replace it with a new part. Sometimes,
too many jobs come in at once, and you have to prioritize. Unfortunately,
parts and planes waiting for servicing in the hangar can cost a lot of money
to the company, because the plane is left idle when it can potentially be
generating money for the company," Chandler explains.
Therefore, avionics technicians must complete their work in the shortest
time possible, while assuring that the job is completed accurately and well.
The hangar is getting really packed with parts and planes, but the inventory
room is emptying up, leaving you with a limited number of supplies. Some planes
have already been sitting in the hangar for a few days, while damaged parts
have been in for weeks.
A new flight will be arriving in an hour. The entertainment station in
the aircraft is not functioning properly.
The passengers are unable to hear any of the captain's announcements unless
they are reported on the general speakers.
As soon as all the passengers disembark, you begin to investigate the situation.
You realize that the problem cannot be fixed immediately, because all the
wires are underneath the carpet.
The flight is leaving in three hours; you might not have enough time to
fix it. You also have all that work waiting for you back at the hangar.
What do you do?