Hi, I’m Jess, teen blogger for LGG. I’ve always been fascinated by airports; they are just associated with so much joy and excitement that I feel like there could never be a bad reason for visiting one. So I was in awe when I was offered the opportunity to experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of a behind the scenes tour of Liverpool Airport with Clare, who is the Digital Marketing Manager there. (Well, not exactly, as some parts of the airport are even kept from most of the staff for security purposes - but I think that just adds to the wonder of them!)
Our tour got underway as we drove to the Air Traffic Control. We first visited the radar room, which was covered with so many computer screens that you could hardly even see the walls! It amazed me how the people working there could be explaining what they do to us one second, and the next they would be answering the phone to advise a pilot on where to fly in order to not crash into something. We learnt about all the different codes that they use to recognise the aircraft, and while we were there we discovered that there was a royal flight currently out.
Then we travelled up to the main Air Traffic Control room by lift. Clare had told us previously that the view from there was absolutely amazing at sunset, so we were a little disappointed to find it extremely cloudy, but we could still see all the way over to the other side of the Mersey. There we met the person who is in charge of notifying all the pilots on the weather and updating the arrivals and departures boards - in the past when I have flown I’ve never even thought about anyone doing that job.
Toblerone secrets!
Once we descended the colossal tower we headed back to the main airport building, where I was shocked to discover that even airport staff have to go through security and sometimes even multiple times per day. The process reminded me that sadly I wasn’t actually going on holiday and therefore wouldn’t be greeted with sunshine on the other side!
As we walked through the shopping area Clare let us in on all the secrets about Duty Free and their plans for the future. So now I know where in the airport sells the cheapest Toblerones - which is arguably the most important thing I learnt - but has to remain a strict secret! Sorry, readers.
Next, Clare let us through a secret door that led straight out onto the taxiway. She notified us of the strict rules we had to follow, which included us having to wear massive hi-vis jackets that I thought we were going to drown in! We were then greeted by a Jeep, in order to join in on the daily light check. We got the opportunity to drive down the runway at a speed that made me ask if there actually was a speed limit on site! Since it was raining, all the different coloured lights were reflected which made an utterly breath-taking sight and I could just not pass up the chance to capture every moment on my camera.
Meet the fire fighters!
We were dropped off at the airport’s fire station, where we were greeted by yet another search but this time by an actual human. When we walked through the door, I was completely shocked by the sheer amount and size of the fire engines the building housed. All the fire-fighters on duty act like one big family, as they all eat at one massive dining table. We also found out that all their food, even the milk, has to be checked for safety. Completely unexpectedly we got to go for a mini ride in one of the fire engines and someone even put the siren on - which really scared me - as it was impossibly loud! Then the fireman put the hose on full blast, and I could swear to you that the whole vehicle actually shook.
That marked the end of our tour and now I will never look at an airport the same way, without remembering and recognising all the little jobs the people I’d met are doing to make sure everything runs smoothly.
As well as giving a huge thanks to Liverpool Airport, I would also like to express my gratitude for the whole experience Liverpool Girl Geeks have given to me. Without attending their Academy programme I never would have met Clare from the airport, and therefore none of this would have happened.
Written by Jess, teen blogger for LGG