United Airlines Supports WAI’s Girls in Aviation Day as Major Participant

Five United locations have planned events

United Airlines will roll out the red carpet for local community girls at five United Airlines locations across the United States on September 23, 2017, as part of the Women in Aviation International (WAI) Girls in Aviation Day events. Through a variety of experiences and activities, United Airlines will introduce these girls to the excitement of a major airport while they learn the various career possibilities open to them in aviation.

“These lucky girls will get a behind-the-scenes view of the operations of a major airline at a large airport,” says WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. “But the bonus is that through United’s efforts, the girls will meet and get to know the people who keep an airline running from different departments.”  

Plans for Girls in Aviation Day at United include:

United at Chicago O’Hare: United Airlines and uIMPACT, United’s Business Resource Group for women, will host a Girls in Aviation Day event for the second year in a row at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. This year, between 40 and 60 high school-aged girls who are family members of employees will tour four different operational groups at O’Hare including Inflight Services, Operations Control Center, Customer Service and Ramp Services. They will also learn about the various career opportunities available for women in the aviation field during two panel discussions and Q&A session with women working in management and operational roles.  Girls will be provided lunch and goodie bags.

United at San Francisco: The San Francisco uIMPACT Western Region Chapter will host its second annual Girls in Aviation Day event at San Francisco International Airport.  Girls from the local Explorer Club and employees’ daughters, nieces, and granddaughters will tour various stations around the airport including Customer Service boarding process, ramp activities, lunch onboard an aircraft with crew interaction and conversations with Technical Operations maintenance personnel.  They will also learn about the various career opportunities available for women in the aviation field during a panel discussion and Q&A session with United employees.

United at Denver:  The Denver uIMPACT Chapter will be hosting more than 30 girls between the ages of 12-18 who are family members of employees and have a strong interest in the aviation industry. The girls will have the opportunity to get up close to two mainline aircraft at the United Maintenance Hangar at Denver International Airport. While they are at the hangar, the girls will talk to female personnel who represent many of United’s operating groups including Flight Operations, Aircraft Maintenance, Inflight Services, Operations Control Center, Customer Service and Ramp Services. The girls will also have an opportunity to network with WAI Chapter members who will provide resources for the girls to utilize as they pursue an aviation career. Girls will be provided lunch and goodie bags.

United at Orlando: United personnel will partner with the WAI Central Florida Chapter to host a Girls in Aviation Day event at Orlando International Airport (MCO) for the third year in a row. This year Orlando will host 40 girls from grades 8-12. Named “Spend the Day at Orlando International Airport,” the day will consist of touring United’s Maintenance facilities in MCO and a presentation on fixed base operators (FBOs) by Signature Flight Support, and a presentation on the “Principles of Flight-General Aviation Aircraft.” The girls will see an Airport Fire Department demonstration, a Wildlife Control presentation, and participate with a “Lunch and Learn” with the Embry-Riddle World Wide Campus Director on Careers in Aviation. After lunch, the girls will hear a history of the Transportation Security Administration and see a K-9 demonstration.

United Airlines at Los Angeles: Los Angeles uIMPACT will partner with the WAI Greater Los Angeles chapter to offer 40 junior high and high school girls the opportunity to experience firsthand what working in the aviation industry is all about.  The girls will tour United’s Operations Control Center, Inflight Services, Customer Service, Ramp Service and Technical  Operations.  Three guest speakers from United who are top female station leaders will talk about their careers.  The girls will enjoy lunch served on board an aircraft and be given a fun goodie bag to take home.

“Many thanks to United Airlines for their commitment to a strong and diverse aviation workforce now and in the future,” adds Dr. Chabrian. “Through these events, who knows what career interests this day will spark?”

More information on Girls in Aviation Day, September 23, 2017, including information about other local chapter and corporate member events, can be found at www.wai.org/giad.