VOL 8, Issue 1 • Summer 2019
THE ORANGE & BLACK The Q&D Employee and Safety News Source
Q&D’s Aviation Group
PROJECT AWARDS
What have they been up to? Exciting things are on the horizon for the Aviation Group! The team is currently chasing $1 billion worth of expansion and new terminal work in six major airports, and their goal is to land at least two of these big projects. In general, the Aviation Group targets projects valued at $14,000 to $28,000,000 including new terminals and other new vertical construction to TIs, including carrier and airport improvements. To better serve aviation clients, the Q&D team is planning a service program that can be deployed to help airports and airlines with various maintenance needs. Currently, to have service work done, clients are having to reach out to multiple local subcontractors (and then manage them) for their upkeep and small construction items. With Q&D’s new program, clients will pay a flat fee or daily fee for service work and they can count on Q&D to safely deliver a quality end result. An aviation group project can include several major challenges. For example, getting security clearance is not a simple task as you might think. Each airport has their own process for complying with security regulations and their own unique badge. The employee security screening process can take a month or more. It includes passing a background check, getting fingerprints taken, watching a video on the airport’s policies, taking a test on airport specifics and even a driving test if you will be driving airside (where the planes are.) There is no typical day for an aviation superintendent but it is not unusual to work 14 to 16 hour days, traveling all day to reach the project and working at night, when airports are less active, right after they arrive. “My team are problem solvers, skilled craftspeople and sales reps all rolled into one,” says group VP Duane Boreham.
Aviation project managers and project engineers have additional responsibilities as well. At each airport, there is a unique ownership and operations structure. This means that plan approval, including the simplest sign change or cabinet revision for Southwest Airlines, can include plan review and permits from the airport, a city or county review (or both), and the client review and approval. Q&D manages this process for our aviation clients. Then if there are any custom fabrications, the field dimensions need to be pre-measured by a Q&D superintendent, then built and shipped so arrival coincides with the planned installation and the arrival of the field crew.
• SCHEELS, Colorado Springs, CO, $55M
In the office, the project administrators are key to keeping everyone in the air and managing accommodations and equipment at dozens of remote sites throughout the year. They track travel plans, expense details, hotels, rental cars and they troubleshoot issues and for the whole crew.
• SWA Provisioning Warehouse Remodel, Kansas City, MO, $300K
Airports have strict policies for construction work because of financial liability and potential loss-of-life involved in orchestrating flights of multi-million-dollar airplanes and passengers. Keeping a clean jobsite is even more imperative on an aviation site. Unattended tools or loose debris could shut down an airport. “These guys have to be on their game 24/7,” says Aviation General Superintendent Tim Kintzler. “I appreciate their professionalism and reliability.” When the aviation team travels to a new airport people are not familiar with Q&D and our great reputation but, they recognize us wherever we go. “I went on a family vacation and the pilot recognized me even though I didn’t have my Q&D gear on!” said Tyler Allred, Aviation Superintendent. Crews approach the challenge with respect for each airport facility and by promoting Q&D’s culture of public service - helping out fellow travelers and “riding for the brand” at all times. Aviation Group Statistics • One superintendent last year flew a total of 217 flights. • The Aviation Group currently has 14 team members. • The team has worked in 48 states and Puerto Rico since the group started! • They have constructed for clients in over 100 U.S. airports.
• WACC Warehouse at TRIC, Reno, NV, $26M • Carson Tahoe Hospital Expansion, Carson City, NV, $30M • WCSD Jon Bohach ES, Sparks, NV, $30M • NNAMHS Homeless Housing, Sparks, NV, $15M • RTIA Terminal Elevators Modernization & New Elevators, Reno, NV, $1.8M
• SWA Gate Relocations, San Jose, CA, $300K • Moving SWA at ONT, Ontario, CA, $5M • NDOT 3769 I-80 Elko County, Elko, NV, $12.3M • Dixon Mine Rd. at Wolf Creek Bridge Replacement, Markleeville, CA, $1.6M • NDOT 3736 I-580, Carson City, NV, $12.7M • Donner Pass Road Improvements, Truckee, CA, $5.6M • Ely Downtown Reconstruction, Ely, NV, $50M • Hazel Valley Bridge Replacement, Pollock Pines, CA, $1.8M
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Connect with Q&D Members of the Aviation Group team airside at RNO.