Employee Spotlight
Pejsha leads the maintenance
pack in years
The average length of time each of the maintenance workers
has been employed at the Salina Airport Authority falls
somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 years, and leading the way
with 28 years of experience under his tool belt is Rob Pejsha.
After about a five minute conversation with him, it's
easy to see he's a hard worker that goes with the flow. He
claims he "just kinda ended up in Salina," after leaving the
service and then things "just kinda" started working out for
him.
"I was working at Flower Aviation, fueling airplanes with
another guy," he recalled. "He knew somebody working as a
janitor at the Airport Authority. He was going down to
maintenance and they were going to need a janitor, so he took
the janitor's job. It wasn't too long after that, he went down
to maintenance and told me about the job. So I started down
there as the janitor."
That was March of 1980. He
began learning his assortment of maintenance skills from what
he calls "older gentlemen stuff."
'They took the time to show you how to do it and how to do
it right," he explained. "That was good of them and you're
always learning, even as you get older. You're always learning
something from the other employees whether it's how to do
something or how to do it better."
Consistent learning
seems to be the maintenance fraternity's secret to success.
That coupled with an iron will, results in a mastery of all
things airport. Whether it's runway lights or snow, they work
until it's done and done well. Perhaps the most daunting
maintenance task is snow removal.
"Now we've got winter coming up," he said with a heavy
sigh. "Every snow is different-you can just see if it's going
to be a heavy snow or a light snow. If there's gonna be a lot
of hours put in or we'll have this wiped out in no time. Last
year I spent 18 hours out here straight. That's not one of the
longest stretches but as you get older it sure seems like it.
I got here and got in my snow plow. There toward the end it
was like that snow plow was growing and I had to really jump.
I couldn't get back into it."
In the nearly three
decades Rob has worked for the Authority he can recall only a
handful of times he's stayed home for illness or being snowed
in.
"While the private pilots and airline passengers
are warm asleep in their beds, Rob is out here on duty plowing
snow and ice and doing what needs to be done," said Tim
Rogers, A.A.E., the Authority's executive director. "He's
dedicated to the job no matter what time of day it is and has
been instrumental to our safety response team, no matter what
was needed."
Rob's idea of retirement fits his work
ethics. While other retirees are asleep in their beds, Rob
will be working- although three days a week sounds like a good
restful life.
_______________________________________
TOWER
UPDATES
The airport construction is coming to an end. We would
like to thank all of the pilots for their patience while the
main runway and numerous taxiways were closed. The operations
were slowed down at times but airplanes were able to land and
take off without long delays. The airport will be greatly
improved with the new lighting, markings, and runway/taxiway
resurfacing.
The tower is back to full staffing. Jay Hatchett returned
to Salina after being gone for 10 days. We are happy to have
him back.
We are approaching that time of year when we will see
migratory waterfowl in the area. Pilots please advise the
tower if you observe these birds with altitude, direction of
flight, and type of birds, if known. Be alert for advisories
on ATIS or on tower frequency.
Thank You,
Bruce M. Boyle
Manager, KSLN FCT
