Welcome to the November 2024 issue of the Metropolitan Airport News. This month, our editorial staff demystifies so many acronyms that we are all used to hearing, seeing, and relying upon at the airports. I was recently in a situation where I used the term AOA, and the person I spoke with stopped me to ask what that meant. I said it so fast in the conversation that I didn’t realize they wouldn’t know what I was referring to. That’s how ingrained some of these acronyms are in our brains. “It’s the Air Operations Area,” I replied and described it as when you’re waiting at the gate before you board the plane and you look out the window and see all of the activity around the aircraft; that’s the AOA and so many other places you can’t see from the windows.
Once I described it, they knew exactly what I meant back within the context of our conversation. I was glad they asked, and so were they.
As with any industry, there is a lingo that people get used to, and those outside of the industry don’t understand. Can you recall what it was like just starting out at the airport, struggling to understand this foreign language made of three-letter codes? New airport employees can benefit from this overview, which will get them started on the path to cracking the code and transitioning into a long and happy career here at our airports.
This month’s article is an interesting read about the history of acronyms and how they serve the ultimate purpose of keeping everything moving along safely and efficiently.
November kicks off the holiday event season. There are luncheons, galas, dinner parties, charity functions, business meetings, and seminars. Please take a look at our up-to-date airport events page to be sure you’re in the know.
I hope you enjoy the issue. If you would like to connect with us to offer ideas, share happenings, or just introduce yourself, please send an email to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.
I’ll see you around the airports!
