"Airport 24/7" Under Pressure

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,400 Socceroos at 8.30. See you Socceroos at 8.30. See you tomorrow. 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:06,880 Aircrafts have maximum landing weights, 3 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:09,960 so they have to do a fuel dump over the bay 4 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:11,880 'cause they'll be too heavy to land. 5 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:14,080 So that's quite dangerous to land quite heavy. 6 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:15,400 (SIRENS BLARE) 7 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:19,600 Responding to aircraft incident. 8 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:24,520 They've already got their water cannons ready to go 9 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:25,960 just in case anything ignites. 10 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:37,200 In Australia, just down the road can mean hundreds of kilometres. 11 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:42,520 So to keep everyone connected, we rely on planes... 12 00:00:44,480 --> 00:00:46,040 ..and lots of them. 13 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,760 Crucial to this highway in the sky is Melbourne Airport. 14 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:56,560 Melbourne Airport - expect the unexpected. 15 00:00:56,560 --> 00:01:00,080 It's the busiest airport in the country, 16 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:02,880 that operates 24 hours a day... 17 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:04,920 They might not have experienced something like this before. 18 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:06,560 ..seven days a week. 19 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,080 We've had fog, we've had rain. 20 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:10,480 So tonight we've got to get it done. 21 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:14,280 With unprecedented access... 22 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:16,520 The team are always on alert. 23 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:18,160 ..from the control tower... First aid call. 24 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:20,360 ..to the tarmac... It's all about speed. 25 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:23,520 ..to the airport's 24/7 nerve centre... 26 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:25,840 Even if there's an incident, we're the ones scrambling 27 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:28,000 and passengers still have a smooth journey. 28 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:29,920 ..we're going behind the scenes... 29 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:32,680 We're looking at the cameras now. 30 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:35,640 ..to places very few people get to see... 31 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:38,720 What's inside that? 32 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:43,640 ..all to keep Melbourne Airport running smoothly, safely... 33 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:45,680 Suspected firearm still in the chamber. 34 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:47,400 ..and on time. 35 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:48,880 Two down, one to go. 36 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:52,080 At a 24/7 airport, every... 37 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:53,840 I don't want this kangaroo jumping anywhere. 38 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:56,880 ..second counts. 39 00:01:56,880 --> 00:01:58,680 10 to six. We're on scene. 40 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:00,520 We've got a green light. We're good to go. 41 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:07,800 Melbourne. 42 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:14,760 It's known for good coffee, laneways and sport. 43 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,520 And the easiest way to get there is Melbourne Airport. 44 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,120 Flight 871 would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land 45 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:30,080 on which Melbourne Airport stands, 46 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,320 and pay our respects to elders, past and present. 47 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:38,800 It's 6:15 and the day at Melbourne Airport... 48 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:40,720 Good morning. Morning. How are you? 49 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:42,320 ..is well underway. 50 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:43,880 So far the morning has been really good. 51 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:45,120 If you just wanted to head down, 52 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:47,040 there's a few more kiosks down the end. 53 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:48,080 Currently, right now, 54 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:50,480 that's our peak time for international arrivals. 55 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:53,960 (INDISTINCT TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENT) 56 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,680 Coordinating thousands of moving parts... 57 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:58,120 (PHONE RINGS) 58 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:00,600 Coordinations. Can I help you? 59 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:03,960 ..is the job of the Integrated Operations Centre. 60 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:05,560 Yeah, smashing glass. 61 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:08,000 He's walking up the escalators towards the link. 62 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:11,600 The idea of the IOC is essentially to make a smooth operation 63 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:12,640 for everyone at the airport. 64 00:03:12,640 --> 00:03:16,040 While Andrew keeps an eye on things from the IOC... 65 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:19,400 Just headed out to the concourse. 66 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:20,880 I've got a couple of store rooms out there 67 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,560 and looking to check on some emergency kits 68 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:25,000 that I have out there. 69 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,480 ..it's Emergency Planning Manager Riki's job 70 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:29,720 to prepare for every eventuality. 71 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,720 Emergencies here can range from a medical emergency 72 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:36,600 up to the largest scale and worst-case scenario for us, 73 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:38,800 which would of course be an aircraft crash. 74 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:42,280 Riki has thought of almost every scenario at the airport... 75 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:47,320 So I spend most of my days thinking about what might go wrong here. 76 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:58,440 ..except being stuck in a lift during a power outage. 77 00:03:58,440 --> 00:03:59,800 WOMAN: No. 78 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:05,480 (MULTIPLE PHONES RING) 79 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:08,000 MAN: Power's out. 80 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,920 Escalators are stopped. We're on emergency lighting. 81 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:12,160 (PHONE RINGS) 82 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:13,640 MAN: They're still working on it. 83 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:18,200 Airport Emergencies. What's your emergency? 84 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:19,720 Yes. You've lost power? 85 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,080 Are any critical systems impacted at the moment? 86 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:23,800 So it looks like we've had a power failure. 87 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:26,480 So it's lost power to the entire airport precinct. 88 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:29,080 And your PCs are down, are they? 89 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:36,120 It's the morning rush, and Andrew is assessing the damage. 90 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:39,160 T4 check-in is stopped. T3 check-in is stopped. 91 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:40,400 T1 check-in is stopped. 92 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:43,040 Security screening. Has that been impacted at all, Chris? 93 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:45,680 Are they coming back up the X-rays or are they still down? 94 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:49,640 (PHONE RINGS) I got it. 95 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:51,320 OK. 96 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:53,600 OK. No worries, mate. All good. 97 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:55,840 I'll let the guys know. Alright. Thanks, mate. Appreciate it. 98 00:04:57,520 --> 00:04:59,440 So all four terminals are down. 99 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:07,680 While the airport's backup generators have kicked into gear, 100 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:10,240 not everything has power back. 101 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:16,040 Check-in has stopped, baggage services have stopped, 102 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:19,200 and security has ground to a halt. 103 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:21,960 So the whole security goes down, we have to close it. 104 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:23,560 So we don't take any risks. 105 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:25,920 We close it all off just to then do tests 106 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:28,360 to make sure everything's up and running again. 107 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:31,600 Because we can't let any passengers come through without being screened. 108 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,520 Melbourne Airport is at a standstill. 109 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:42,840 If the problem isn't fixed soon, 110 00:05:42,840 --> 00:05:45,720 massive flight delays will have a domino effect... 111 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:47,360 (INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER) 112 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:50,880 ..impacting the air network across the entire country. 113 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:58,480 So in the IOC, Andrew has set himself an ambitious target... 114 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:01,680 By 11.30, everything should be back to full operation. 115 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:03,560 And then it's just a matter of assessing 116 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:05,840 if there have been any delays and what impact it's had. 117 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:12,400 ..get everything back online in an hour to avoid large delays. 118 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,200 (RADIO CHATTER) 119 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,960 The outage has tripped fuses. 120 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:21,680 Found a couple that were tripped here, 121 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:23,680 so we're just resetting them. 122 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:25,520 Obviously at an airport our size, 123 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:27,160 resetting all the breakers and systems 124 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:28,240 to get them back up and running, 125 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,040 that takes a lot of time to get done. 126 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:34,120 Hey, I just reset those two breakers. 127 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:38,720 One terminal is back up and running, but there's three more to go. 128 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,160 Nah, we've just found more issues. 129 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:44,760 More... More stuff that's off. 130 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:47,840 Going down. Resetting. 131 00:06:47,840 --> 00:06:51,080 Lucky for Riki, the elevator is back up and running. 132 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:57,640 He's got to get back to the IOC 133 00:06:57,640 --> 00:07:00,400 to help the team get all the lights back on. 134 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:03,840 I'm just heading back from Delta 20, though, 135 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:06,120 so I'm a little bit, probably 10 minutes. 136 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:12,120 Everyone's mobilising to, uh, get a crisis management team together, 137 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:15,640 so there's been a number of effects, um, from this event. 138 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:18,240 Riki and Andrew need to get a wriggle on. 139 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:23,560 Major delays here could mean the whole country could be affected. 140 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:26,720 They're obviously not confident in their 35 going on time. 141 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:28,360 Thanks. See you, mate. Bye. 142 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:29,600 (PHONE RINGS) 143 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:32,280 Coordination. Andrew. 144 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:34,280 And things are getting worse. 145 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:35,720 Yeah. 146 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:37,200 What about air bridges? Delta six. 147 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:39,520 They're having issues with the link and the roller door opening it. 148 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:41,560 So this air bridge here, 149 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,240 there's a link down here that sets it up. 150 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:47,680 So the guys can't get this link open to be able to get onto the bridge 151 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:49,200 to put it onto the aircraft. 152 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:53,560 The blackout has affected an aero bridge. 153 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:56,920 It's the last thing you want after a 12-hour flight. 154 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,960 The flight's come in from Delhi. 155 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:06,360 Those passengers have now been on board for nearly 50 minutes, 156 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:08,240 waiting for these technicians to fix the bridge. 157 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:13,440 If we couldn't now raise up the roller door, 158 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:15,200 the passengers would be stuck in the aircraft. 159 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:18,040 And we need time to work on it. 160 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:21,560 Maybe we need to change a motor or we need to, you know, 161 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:23,800 change some sensors or things. 162 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:25,280 We need time to fix it. 163 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,760 But time is not on their side. 164 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:35,560 270 passengers have been waiting on the tarmac for almost an hour... 165 00:08:36,680 --> 00:08:38,760 We've probably got a few irate passengers on board. 166 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:44,680 ..and that's after a brutal 12-hour flight from India. 167 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:49,560 We'll most likely delay another international service, 168 00:08:49,560 --> 00:08:51,400 not only the one that this aircraft is doing, 169 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:54,040 but then there's another international service that's waiting 170 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,080 for connectors off this aircraft to go to. 171 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:58,960 But then they're delaying another 100 or so people waiting 172 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:00,840 for their flight to depart, 173 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,440 because there's 15 people on this aircraft that need to get off. 174 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:06,520 So every time there's a delay, there's always a knock-on effect. 175 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:11,960 While the technicians wrestle with the door... 176 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:13,360 (PHONE RINGS) 177 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:15,080 Coordination. Andrew. 178 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:16,760 ..back in the IOC... 179 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:19,240 Yes, mate. ..Andrew's been working the phones, 180 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:21,040 trying to hold up flights, 181 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:23,880 so these passengers don't miss their connections. 182 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:28,280 Oh. That hurts. That hurts. Alright. 183 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:30,200 No worries. OK, thanks. Bye. 184 00:09:32,560 --> 00:09:33,840 OK. 185 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:36,360 So they're not actually waiting for the passengers off this aircraft. 186 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:38,080 They're going without them. 187 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:39,320 Yeah. 188 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:42,560 So somebody's going to have to try and put them on the next flight, 189 00:09:42,560 --> 00:09:43,800 which is in... 190 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:47,400 ..not till 6:00 tonight. That's not good. 191 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:50,560 Aviation operations is not boring. 192 00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:52,960 There's stuff going on all the time. 193 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,360 And just when a day in the IOC couldn't get any busier... 194 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:59,240 Just hold the line for me. I'll get the ambulance through to you. OK? 195 00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:00,240 ..there's more. 196 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:01,920 72-year-old male with chest pains. 197 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,360 And here we go. Another medical. 198 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:06,200 Oh, and on board that aircraft. 199 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:12,080 It's bad news for a passenger stuck on board. 200 00:10:17,560 --> 00:10:19,880 It's all we've got. Roger. Thanks. 201 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:27,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 202 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:33,240 Yeah, we've just got a medical. 203 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:36,560 Can I please have an escort from gate 39 to the lift at Delta four? 204 00:10:36,560 --> 00:10:40,200 At Melbourne Airport, the operations team is scrambling 205 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,480 to help a passenger with chest pains... 206 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:47,160 ..still stuck on a plane that's just landed from India. 207 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:50,520 The roller door to the plane's aerobridge 208 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:54,560 won't budge due to an earlier airport-wide power outage. 209 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:00,760 The only way to get the passengers off quickly 210 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:04,560 is to manually override and get the door up the old fashioned way. 211 00:11:09,680 --> 00:11:12,920 The man is quickly taken to waiting paramedics. 212 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:17,000 We already have Aviation Fire Rescue with him. 213 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:19,440 They were the first on the scene and the first responder. 214 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:21,560 We now have paramedics coming. 215 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:26,600 With one problem from the power outage now solved... 216 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:29,760 ..there's a few more to tick off the list. 217 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:34,040 Alright, so they're dead. They haven't gone back on. 218 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:35,880 (PHONE RINGS) 219 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:38,320 Coordinations. Can I help you? 220 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:43,920 Any major delay in Melbourne will be felt right across the country. 221 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:46,640 Airport staff are racing the clock 222 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:49,800 to get everything up and running again by 11:30. 223 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:51,040 Once we get back up and running, 224 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:52,880 we should be able to process those passengers quickly 225 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:56,800 through all our screening points and baggage processing and check-in, 226 00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:59,600 so hopefully that'll be limited impact. 227 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:03,520 Andrew has a lot on his plate. 228 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:06,040 It looks like we might have to do a change for this China Airlines. 229 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:07,840 Let's go Delta 14, please, mate. 230 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,480 And because the outage hasn't affected air traffic control, 231 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:13,720 planes continue to come and go. 232 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:16,040 So you've actually got to watch all the aircraft movements, 233 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:19,280 as well as still focusing on dealing with the issues 234 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:21,680 we're having arise from the power outage. 235 00:12:21,680 --> 00:12:23,200 So a bit of fun. 236 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:31,040 Melbourne is the gateway to Australia's south east. 237 00:12:32,560 --> 00:12:35,000 Whether you're here for work or a bit of play... 238 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:40,560 ..few are aware of the eyes in the sky that bring them here safely. 239 00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:45,800 (AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL RADIO CHATTER) 240 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:47,360 When the airport is busy, 241 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:50,560 there's an average of one plane every 60 seconds. 242 00:12:50,560 --> 00:12:52,560 (RADIO CHATTER) 243 00:12:52,560 --> 00:12:56,440 Managing their comings and goings is an elite team of 244 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:59,280 Airservices Australia traffic controllers. 245 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:06,400 (RADIO CHATTER) 246 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:08,680 And in unprecedented access, 247 00:13:08,680 --> 00:13:13,280 our cameras have been given approval to film in their inner sanctum. 248 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:16,480 So purple two give way to the China Eastern A330. 249 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:18,040 They're turning north into Alpha. 250 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:21,560 It looks very all calm and, and on the rails, 251 00:13:21,560 --> 00:13:24,920 but, um, there's a lot of decisions being made by those controllers every second. 252 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,520 (GIVES INSTRUCTIONS) 253 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:29,360 With every radio call, 254 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:33,040 controllers account for runway traffic and weather conditions... 255 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:34,200 One eight knots. 256 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:38,640 ..as well as altitude and velocity of each and every plane. 257 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:40,880 They're either really slow and final or really quick. 258 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:46,760 And with around 100,000 passengers arriving or departing here every day, 259 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:49,520 there can be no lapses in concentration. 260 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:52,040 It's 100% or nothing. There's no room for error. 261 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:56,400 (AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER GIVES INSTRUCTIONS) 262 00:13:56,400 --> 00:14:00,520 Air traffic control requires a very specific skill set. 263 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:03,560 Echo Delta, just give way to that seven eight passing under tow. 264 00:14:03,560 --> 00:14:09,200 Melissa has been an Airservices Australia controller for 14 years. 265 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:11,560 You have to be able to scan an environment 266 00:14:11,560 --> 00:14:14,600 and process information and draw information out of that environment. 267 00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:17,880 But then you also need to be able to devise a plan really quickly 268 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:19,400 out of that. 269 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:22,040 You know, it's on the runway just before... 270 00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:24,680 ..hold short of runway one six. 271 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:29,320 Cathay 134, follow the Jetstar 320 on echo to holding point Papa, 272 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:30,400 runway two seven. 273 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:32,200 You know, only a certain amount of people in the world 274 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:35,600 have the brain capacity to do air traffic control, 275 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:37,040 and that's where it comes in, 276 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:39,840 the adaptability and flexibility to change your plan. 277 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:41,040 But keep your traffic picture, 278 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:43,160 but keep it flowing and keep it safe. 279 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,000 Like, you can't just ignore a separation standard 280 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:46,440 because your plan changed. 281 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:47,880 Um, that's where it's fun, though. 282 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:50,000 I think that's where really every day is different. 283 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:52,360 For all controllers, 284 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,440 avoiding a collision is the number one priority. 285 00:14:56,880 --> 00:15:00,640 And on ground control, there's one more golden rule. 286 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:02,240 I think the last thing you would want 287 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:04,960 is two nose to nose on a taxiway, because planes can't reverse. 288 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:08,000 (INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER) 289 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:11,240 430 runway two seven cleared for take-off. 290 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:15,880 So now I'm in the Melbourne tower position. 291 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:19,600 So the Aerodrome Controller or the ADC is the acronym for it. 292 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,360 So I am controlling the runways here in Melbourne. 293 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:24,240 So I'll speak to the departures. 294 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:25,920 (RADIO CHATTER) 295 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:27,360 So they'll call me when they're ready. 296 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:30,640 And the arrivals anywhere from kind of 10 miles to five miles, 297 00:15:30,640 --> 00:15:33,960 they'll check in on my frequency and wait for their landing clearance. 298 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,160 You need the departure's wheels off the ground 299 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:44,600 before the arrival's wheels touch the ground, essentially. 300 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:47,960 But you can't have two wheels on the runway at the same time. 301 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,120 702 line up. Runway one six. 302 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:54,520 A minute's delay here in Melbourne or five minutes delay here could, 303 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:57,320 it kind of expands across the network 304 00:15:57,320 --> 00:16:00,640 and potentially delaying passengers all around the country. 305 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:03,600 120 runway two seven cleared for take-off. 306 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:06,280 We've got to be pushing those aircraft into the gaps, 307 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:07,880 arriving and departing aircraft. 308 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:14,040 To get the most out of Melbourne's two runways, it's all about...timing. 309 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:15,400 Then if there's enough time, 310 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:18,720 they will depart an aircraft and then land the next aircraft. 311 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:22,960 So that's kind of the game and that can be anywhere from comfortable. 312 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:26,920 So maybe 90 seconds between that decision 313 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:29,040 to there might be 10 seconds in it. 314 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,000 This is going to be tight. 315 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:39,560 (GIVES INSTRUCTIONS) 316 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:47,800 With just 10 seconds between this arrival and the next departure, 317 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:50,200 Melissa needs to do some quick calculations 318 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:52,360 before she can clear for take-off. 319 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:55,800 Velocity 833. Next arrival's right on two miles. 320 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:57,960 Runway one six cleared for immediate take-off. 321 00:16:59,920 --> 00:17:02,240 What a legend. He's already rolling. OK. 322 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:04,560 If you ever go out to dinner with an air traffic controller, 323 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:06,440 they're going to be so decision fatigued 324 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:07,600 if they've worked during the day. 325 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:09,760 They've made so many decisions, they're just going to say, 326 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:11,960 "Can you just order for me? I don't know what I want, alright." 327 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:14,160 Because that's just the, you know, the mental fatigue of 328 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:16,600 making decisions every second for, you know, 329 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:18,120 eight or nine hours in a day. 330 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:22,080 If you're driving to work stressed every day, 331 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:23,400 it's probably not the job for you. 332 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:27,480 (GIVES INSTRUCTIONS OVER RADIO) 333 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:29,960 I would never say, "Oh, computers will never take my job." 334 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:32,280 I just don't think they're there yet. 335 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:35,280 (OVER RADIO) 672, continue back to the bay. 336 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:37,800 Looking at a situation and deciding whether it's going to work or not 337 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:41,680 is huge in this job, and I wouldn't trust a computer to do it yet. 338 00:17:43,120 --> 00:17:46,000 To manage workload and keep controllers sharp, 339 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:50,200 they rotate through different roles over the course of a shift. 340 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:54,320 So we generally work like 90 minutes to two hours on and 30 minutes off. 341 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:57,000 So far, the shift on aerodrome control 342 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,360 has been situation normal for Melissa. 343 00:18:00,360 --> 00:18:02,280 Rex 3514 Melbourne Tower. 344 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:04,040 Rolling on frequency. On frequency. Ready? 345 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:05,520 There you go. 346 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:09,000 But controllers need to be alert because in aviation, 347 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,840 it only takes a moment for everything to change. 348 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:19,600 Engine issue right-hand side. 349 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:29,440 one delay can throw everything off track, 350 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:31,960 making it hard to bounce back. 351 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:33,400 All morning, 352 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:36,440 the Integrated Operations Centre has been in damage control... 353 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:38,280 T2 will come up first. Yes. 354 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:42,600 ..after a power outage knocked fuses right across the airport. 355 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:44,920 Hey, are you looking at these lights? 356 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:48,520 IOC coordinator Andrew has given himself an hour 357 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,080 to get all systems back on track. 358 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:53,120 Fuel supply is not impacted to the airport. 359 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:56,600 And now time is almost up. 360 00:18:58,360 --> 00:19:00,320 Is the power still off? 361 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:02,760 Perfect, thank you. That's it, mate, they're all back on. 362 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:07,680 Finally, electricians have reset all the circuit boards 363 00:19:07,680 --> 00:19:11,200 critical for keeping the airport running. 364 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:13,200 It's been a massive comeback. 365 00:19:14,560 --> 00:19:16,640 Alright, come in, guys. 366 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:17,720 I'm glad. 367 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:21,120 I think if the power went out and stayed out, that'd be... 368 00:19:21,120 --> 00:19:22,440 That'd be a real headache for us. 369 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:25,440 So, yeah, having those systems be able to kick back in 370 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:28,040 and make sure that the airport continues to have power 371 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:30,160 and we can continue to operate is a fortunate thing. 372 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:32,840 We're pretty much all reset, 373 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:34,920 so it's just now clearing a bit of the backlog. 374 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:38,040 Bag drops are all working. 375 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:39,480 People are checking in as normal. 376 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:44,960 11:29 everything's pretty much coming back to normal. 377 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:46,520 Told you 11:30. 378 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:47,640 We've got it worked out. 379 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:52,560 The thing is, we never really know 380 00:19:52,560 --> 00:19:54,560 what to expect when we come in on a shift. 381 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:57,680 Some days it can be quiet, not a lot happens. 382 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:00,560 And then other days we get pure chaos, which is, 383 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:03,720 yeah, power outage, air bridge faults. 384 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:05,960 Just one of those days. 385 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:07,440 Everything happens. 386 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:09,120 Andrew said the Q word before. 387 00:20:09,120 --> 00:20:11,320 Because it was quiet. 388 00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:13,040 You're not allowed to say 'quiet' in aviation. 389 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:15,040 Because that's what brings the fun. 390 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:17,840 That's why we say it at all times. 391 00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:20,040 (LAUGHS) 392 00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:25,920 Every day, enough people to fill the MCG 393 00:20:25,920 --> 00:20:28,240 pass through Melbourne Airport's doors. 394 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:33,000 They come in peaks and troughs. 395 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:36,560 And as afternoon gives way to evening... 396 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:40,160 I'm hoping it's nice and quiet. 397 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:41,920 ..there's a lull, 398 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:46,520 so terminal coordinators Steve and Ebony are out on the apron 399 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:48,280 checking in with their colleagues. 400 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:50,320 MAN: (OVER RADIO) Yeah, sure. (LAUGHS) 401 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:52,680 When it's like this, like the sun's not out, 402 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:55,320 there's a little bit of cloud cover, the breeze. 403 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:57,960 Beautiful. Chef's kiss. 404 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:00,800 You never get over seeing these big birds and what they can do 405 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:01,800 and getting loaded. 406 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:04,080 It's just, yeah, just that, maintaining that connection. 407 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:05,800 I also like the smell of jet fuel. 408 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:07,320 (LAUGHS) 409 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:10,480 Being a Saturday night, 410 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:12,040 it's typically not too busy operationally, 411 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:15,240 but you could get one incident and then we're run off our feet. 412 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:28,280 In the tower, there's an emergency call 413 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:31,600 from recently-departed flight 461. 414 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:41,320 The plane was bound for Abu Dhabi. 415 00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:46,400 But with the pilot reporting an engine issue soon after take-off... 416 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:47,680 (BEEPING) 417 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:49,360 Melbourne Airport. Ebony speaking. 418 00:21:49,360 --> 00:21:51,560 ..the airport is now on stand-by... 419 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:54,280 Yeah. ..and Ebony receives an update. 420 00:21:54,280 --> 00:21:56,160 Is it heading that way, is it? 421 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:59,560 The aircraft needs to return to Melbourne Airport immediately... 422 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:03,200 ..but first it has to dump fuel. 423 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:18,040 Aircrafts have maximum take-off weights, maximum landing weights. 424 00:22:18,040 --> 00:22:22,720 Considering they're prepared for a 14 to 15.5 hour flight 425 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:25,200 to Abu Dhabi, they take a lot of fuel, 426 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:28,440 so they have to do a fuel dump over the bay 427 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:30,200 because they'll be too heavy to land. 428 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:33,480 So that...that's quite dangerous, to land quite heavy. 429 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:35,520 So it looks like, looking at it on flight radar now, 430 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,280 it does look like it's turning around going over the bay. 431 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:41,200 When a plane is too heavy, 432 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:45,440 it can overshoot the runway, crash and catch on fire. 433 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:59,520 So this evening, the airport's own aviation fire and rescue service 434 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,120 have been deployed to the tarmac. 435 00:23:02,120 --> 00:23:04,280 Responding to aircraft incident. 436 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:08,680 The airport has a game plan for every emergency, 437 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:12,280 and this one requires a multi-agency response. 438 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:14,360 Yeah, if it goes belly up. 439 00:23:14,360 --> 00:23:16,640 They've done three loops. 440 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:19,400 Ebony's heading out to the tarmac 441 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:23,040 to check that safety protocols are being followed. 442 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:25,600 So they'll display their emergency lights. 443 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:28,280 Um, just letting everyone on the airfield know 444 00:23:28,280 --> 00:23:30,160 that there's an emergency. 445 00:23:32,240 --> 00:23:34,120 There's usually four or five vehicles out 446 00:23:34,120 --> 00:23:36,680 for a, for a local stand-by. 447 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:38,960 At 6500ft, 448 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:44,040 the pilots of Etihad Flight 461 are preparing for the worst. 449 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:01,120 Dumping fuel is extremely rare. 450 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:06,960 But with 282 lives at stake, 451 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:12,520 the pilots of flight 461 have no choice but to lighten their load. 452 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:30,600 They begin to dump 53 tons of fuel. 453 00:24:32,880 --> 00:24:34,960 Dumping it at such a high altitude 454 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:37,280 means it evaporates into the atmosphere. 455 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:41,560 Passengers on board are probably going to be feeling a little bit nervous. 456 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:44,120 They might not have experienced something like this before. 457 00:24:54,280 --> 00:24:59,320 The pilots of flight 461 have reported an engine issue 458 00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:01,160 and have been dumping fuel. 459 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:05,080 The plane's now light enough to land. 460 00:25:18,200 --> 00:25:23,440 But with a possible engine issue, the risk of fire on landing is real, 461 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:26,920 so the aviation firefighting service is on stand-by. 462 00:25:28,600 --> 00:25:31,280 They've already got their water cannons ready to go 463 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:32,800 just in case anything ignites. 464 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:37,080 As Etihad Flight 461 comes in to land, 465 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:39,280 everyone waits with bated breath. 466 00:26:03,760 --> 00:26:05,040 Aircraft on deck. 467 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:22,000 The plane's back on solid ground, but the fire risk isn't over yet. 468 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:25,040 So fire and rescue stay on high alert, 469 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:27,280 while the runway is cleared for service. 470 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:32,320 Airside safety vehicles will follow the aircraft down the runway 471 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:34,240 just to ensure that there's no, 472 00:26:34,240 --> 00:26:37,760 could be hydraulic fluid or oil leaking from the engine 473 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:38,760 that's got an issue. 474 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:41,800 No debris is on the runway after the arrival 475 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:43,480 and it's all just safety protocols. 476 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:53,560 Finally, the aircraft makes it to the bay 477 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:57,880 and terminal coordinators Ebony and Steve prepare to get busy. 478 00:27:00,120 --> 00:27:02,920 So we're going to head to the aircraft door and aerobridge 479 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:05,600 just to get an update as to next steps. 480 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:09,040 The plane will now be thoroughly checked by engineers, 481 00:27:09,040 --> 00:27:10,800 which will take time. 482 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:14,760 So it's borderline whether it will depart again tonight. 483 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:16,720 Yeah, if this aircraft goes back out to Abu Dhabi, 484 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:18,840 I will dance through the terminal naked. 485 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:24,520 It's been an hour since flight 461 to Abu Dhabi departed. 486 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:27,200 And until the plane is officially cancelled, 487 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:30,400 the passengers must stay on board. 488 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:32,520 It's definitely an inconvenience for the passengers. 489 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:37,280 And to make matters worse, if the passengers do have to disembark, 490 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:40,320 the airport is about to hit peak hour. 491 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:45,640 I think it's over 250 passengers on this particular flight. 492 00:27:45,640 --> 00:27:47,280 They all have to disembark. 493 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:49,000 They've all been exited out of the country 494 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:50,240 by Australian Border Force. 495 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:52,960 They'll have to be re-entered into Australia. 496 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:54,800 They'll have to collect their bags from the carousel, 497 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:56,680 and then they'll have to make their way to 498 00:27:56,680 --> 00:27:58,800 an allocated check-in counter space, 499 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:01,160 where they'll be either given hotel accommodation 500 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:04,200 or rerouted through other ports within Australia 501 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:05,840 to get to their final destination. 502 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:08,880 It's just after 9pm. 503 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:14,760 And more passengers are making their way towards customs. 504 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:18,440 We've got around about 1,500 passengers 505 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:20,600 coming in on other international flights, 506 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,800 plus the 200 plus on this one here. 507 00:28:23,800 --> 00:28:26,640 So not a great time to be dealing with an international cancellation, 508 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:28,280 but things we must do. 509 00:28:28,280 --> 00:28:31,920 And just when Steve and Ebony are ready to get to work, 510 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:35,160 there's a call from the IOC. 511 00:28:35,160 --> 00:28:36,160 Really? 512 00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:38,720 Well, that's awkward, 513 00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:40,960 'cause I said I'd dance through the terminal naked if it went. 514 00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:43,600 It's going. Yes. 515 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:46,680 No probs. Alright. Thanks. Bye. 516 00:28:46,680 --> 00:28:49,760 Um, a new flight plan has been issued, so... 517 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:51,720 (CHUCKLES EXCITEDLY) 518 00:28:57,920 --> 00:29:01,400 After a thorough check, the engineers found the culprit - 519 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:03,840 a faulty engine light in the cockpit. 520 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:10,160 Now refuelled, the plane is gearing up to take off again, 521 00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:12,840 almost three hours behind schedule. 522 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:16,200 So we've just seen one of their tech crew. 523 00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:17,600 I think it was the captain actually, 524 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:19,080 that's gone out to do his walkaround, 525 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:22,280 which is a very good sign because that means they have all intentions 526 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:23,320 to depart again. 527 00:29:23,320 --> 00:29:25,800 That's something that they do just before departure. 528 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:29,840 And just when this flight seems like it's back on track... 529 00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:31,840 OK, so you're calling the feds now? 530 00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:35,000 No probs. We're just underneath, so I'll head to the bridge. 531 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:36,480 Alright, alright. Bye. 532 00:29:38,080 --> 00:29:40,720 Disgruntled passenger. Really? 533 00:29:40,720 --> 00:29:42,680 So your story just got more interesting. 534 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:44,280 Yep. So they're calling AFP. 535 00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:47,400 The Australian Federal Police are called 536 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:49,840 when there's a threat to public safety. 537 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:53,480 Some of the passengers on board have finally had enough, 538 00:29:53,480 --> 00:29:55,400 and they want to get off the flight. 539 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:06,560 If it does result in a passenger offload, 540 00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:08,080 that takes more time. 541 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:10,040 They're going to have to get the passenger's bags, 542 00:30:10,040 --> 00:30:13,760 locate them amongst approximately maybe 300 bags. 543 00:30:13,760 --> 00:30:16,200 Find it, pull the bag off, 544 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:18,280 load all the other bags back onto the aircraft 545 00:30:18,280 --> 00:30:19,480 before it can depart again. 546 00:30:19,480 --> 00:30:22,920 So time is of the essence already. 547 00:30:22,920 --> 00:30:26,760 And now we could possibly have another hefty delay on our hands 548 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:28,960 before we can get this aircraft back out. 549 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:38,680 because of an engine issue. 550 00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:39,960 Aircraft on deck. 551 00:30:42,320 --> 00:30:45,680 Even though the engineers have cleared the flight to take off... 552 00:30:45,680 --> 00:30:46,680 Yeah. 553 00:30:46,680 --> 00:30:48,680 ..not everybody's happy. 554 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:52,440 We received a call from the airline asking for AFP 555 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:54,800 due to a few aggressive passengers on board 556 00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:56,720 that weren't following any instruction. 557 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:59,120 So we called out AFP to meet the aircraft 558 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:00,920 and speak to the passengers. 559 00:31:02,120 --> 00:31:06,040 It is very common for passengers to become agitated with delays. 560 00:31:06,040 --> 00:31:08,480 This passenger involved might have missed their connection. 561 00:31:08,480 --> 00:31:12,800 There could be a number of factors that have created this situation. 562 00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:15,640 Some passengers are refusing to continue their journey. 563 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:17,560 Like I said, you're safe. You're OK. 564 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:19,400 Your feet are firmly on the ground. 565 00:31:19,400 --> 00:31:20,640 You're OK. Alright. 566 00:31:23,280 --> 00:31:28,440 OK, so the issue this flight has now is that people want to disembark, 567 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:29,680 so they want to get off. 568 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:32,680 Can't make people fly if they don't want to. 569 00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:35,960 Aviation standards are bags cannot travel 570 00:31:35,960 --> 00:31:37,720 if a passenger is not travelling with the bag. 571 00:31:37,720 --> 00:31:39,080 So the bag must be offloaded. 572 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:42,360 So logistically for an airline it is a nightmare 573 00:31:42,360 --> 00:31:44,200 and it's very time consuming. 574 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:46,680 That poses a problem with the flight already delayed 575 00:31:46,680 --> 00:31:48,200 and crew already pushing hours 576 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:50,280 that may now result in a cancellation. 577 00:31:52,680 --> 00:31:56,080 Three passengers have decided this is the end of their journey... 578 00:31:58,560 --> 00:32:00,760 ..but their bags are still on board. 579 00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:03,960 With 282 people on board, 580 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:08,400 we're probably looking at around about maybe 300 bags on board. 581 00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:10,080 It can be a bit of a needle in a haystack 582 00:32:10,080 --> 00:32:11,560 to try and locate the bags. 583 00:32:13,240 --> 00:32:14,760 So once they have the passengers' details, 584 00:32:14,760 --> 00:32:17,320 they'll know exactly where the bag has been loaded 585 00:32:17,320 --> 00:32:18,360 onto the aircraft, 586 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:22,720 but one of the challenges is if that can was to be the first one loaded 587 00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:25,120 in the hold, there could be up to, you know, 588 00:32:25,120 --> 00:32:27,360 sometimes eight cans loaded in front of it 589 00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:30,120 that they have to remove for them to get to that can 590 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:31,680 that has the bag in it. 591 00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:35,120 Inside the aircraft... 592 00:32:37,160 --> 00:32:40,800 ..passengers have been stuck in their seats for several hours. 593 00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:45,680 Now the pressure is on ground staff to find the bags fast. 594 00:32:46,800 --> 00:32:51,000 Given that it left pretty much just after 7pm, it's now 11. 595 00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:54,160 It's four hours. It's back to where it started. 596 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:55,920 A lot of restless people on board. 597 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:00,440 I'd say 95% of all passengers on board 598 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:03,200 will be connecting onto onward flights. 599 00:33:03,200 --> 00:33:06,520 Chances are, everybody on board has missed their onward connection. 600 00:33:07,960 --> 00:33:10,000 In a rare moment of luck today, 601 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:13,800 the bags are located in the first few cans. 602 00:33:13,800 --> 00:33:16,200 This is terrific news, bags located. 603 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:19,240 They'll close up the rear hold soon. 604 00:33:19,240 --> 00:33:21,200 We're still waiting on a pushback tug, 605 00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:22,800 and that'll be the final step. 606 00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:28,520 It's not over until the fat lady sings, 607 00:33:28,520 --> 00:33:31,200 until that aircraft pushes back and arrives in Abu Dhabi. 608 00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:35,960 For the passengers, that's another 14 hours away. 609 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:40,240 It hasn't been the quiet Saturday night 610 00:33:40,240 --> 00:33:42,280 Ebony and Steve were hoping for. 611 00:33:44,760 --> 00:33:47,280 And there's still that promise to keep. 612 00:33:47,280 --> 00:33:50,120 We've got that on film. (LAUGHS) 613 00:33:57,400 --> 00:33:59,000 As midnight approaches... 614 00:34:02,440 --> 00:34:05,160 ..Melbourne Airport is still wide awake. 615 00:34:07,160 --> 00:34:09,240 The runways stay open all night. 616 00:34:10,560 --> 00:34:11,840 But with fewer planes, 617 00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:14,520 it's the perfect time to catch up on odd jobs. 618 00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:18,920 Hopefully it'll be smooth sailing. We've got brand-new machines. 619 00:34:18,920 --> 00:34:21,480 Tonight, Colin and his team are gearing up 620 00:34:21,480 --> 00:34:25,400 to repaint the docking lines at bay D11. 621 00:34:25,400 --> 00:34:26,880 This is going to be our third attempt. 622 00:34:26,880 --> 00:34:28,720 We've had fog, we've had rain, 623 00:34:28,720 --> 00:34:30,960 and weather is looking favourable. 624 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:36,040 In aviation, clear communication saves lives. 625 00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:39,360 (RADIO CHATTER) 626 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:42,880 Out on the tarmac, every line and marking is crucial 627 00:34:42,880 --> 00:34:45,440 for keeping aircraft in the right place. 628 00:34:45,440 --> 00:34:48,000 (RADIO CHATTER) 629 00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:51,560 And at Melbourne Airport there's 3000km of them... 630 00:34:53,160 --> 00:34:55,680 ..all of which need to be repainted regularly. 631 00:34:57,680 --> 00:35:02,520 We'll prep the yellow, the black and the red machines tonight. 632 00:35:02,520 --> 00:35:04,440 Six inch, six-inch lines. 633 00:35:06,080 --> 00:35:07,440 Let's go. 634 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:11,040 It's imperative we get it done tonight 635 00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:12,680 because it just keeps getting put off, put off, 636 00:35:12,680 --> 00:35:15,160 and the markings are actually faded to the extent 637 00:35:15,160 --> 00:35:17,360 where they're virtually unrecognisable. 638 00:35:17,360 --> 00:35:19,560 So we've got to get it done. 639 00:35:19,560 --> 00:35:22,840 If busy Bay 11 is out of action for the morning rush, 640 00:35:22,840 --> 00:35:26,840 over 1,000 tired passengers will be forced to take the bus 641 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:28,160 to the terminal. 642 00:35:32,960 --> 00:35:34,880 It's now after midnight. 643 00:35:35,880 --> 00:35:37,440 Airside maintenance. Colin speaking. 644 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:41,200 So the pressure's on to have all lines painted and dry 645 00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:43,440 for the first plane at 6am. 646 00:35:45,320 --> 00:35:47,440 The paint machines that we've got, 647 00:35:47,440 --> 00:35:49,960 they've got a back rear motor that can do about eight Ks an hour. 648 00:35:49,960 --> 00:35:52,080 So when we're travelling from jobs to jobs, 649 00:35:52,080 --> 00:35:54,600 but even just line marking our particular work. 650 00:35:54,600 --> 00:35:55,920 So I raise the gun a bit more. 651 00:35:55,920 --> 00:35:59,920 We can complete work a lot quicker and be a lot more efficient. 652 00:35:59,920 --> 00:36:02,080 As we always say, we're going out to get the Harleys tonight 653 00:36:02,080 --> 00:36:03,240 and have a bit of a ride. 654 00:36:03,240 --> 00:36:06,920 These machines are the thing that gets it done. 655 00:36:06,920 --> 00:36:07,960 We love them. 656 00:36:09,680 --> 00:36:13,480 The team are ready to head out into the bay, 657 00:36:13,480 --> 00:36:16,480 just as there's a change in the weather. 658 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:19,600 Is that rain? No. 659 00:36:19,600 --> 00:36:21,640 It's not rain. (LAUGHS) 660 00:36:24,560 --> 00:36:26,080 The forecast wasn't rain. 661 00:36:26,080 --> 00:36:29,560 If we get rain, that's going to ruin our job for tonight, 662 00:36:29,560 --> 00:36:33,680 we'll have to cancel the works and try and reschedule again, 663 00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:35,360 which would make it our fifth attempt 664 00:36:35,360 --> 00:36:36,720 at trying to get this bay done. 665 00:36:38,360 --> 00:36:40,080 The weather is always changing. 666 00:36:51,280 --> 00:36:54,040 It's well after midnight at Melbourne Airport... 667 00:36:55,200 --> 00:36:58,960 ..and the airfield maintenance team need to have new lines painted 668 00:36:58,960 --> 00:37:02,080 at busy bay Delta 11 by 6am, 669 00:37:02,080 --> 00:37:04,680 when the next plane is due to dock. 670 00:37:04,680 --> 00:37:05,800 That's there, yeah? 671 00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:07,360 That's that one. Yep. 672 00:37:07,360 --> 00:37:08,680 That's that line going through there. 673 00:37:08,680 --> 00:37:11,040 We're actually measuring out the new equipment and clearance line. 674 00:37:11,040 --> 00:37:12,200 So this part's been taken off 675 00:37:12,200 --> 00:37:16,560 and the new one's going to be coming from here all the way down to there. 676 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:18,720 They're also racing the weather, 677 00:37:18,720 --> 00:37:22,000 which has been threatening rain all evening. 678 00:37:22,000 --> 00:37:23,600 There's a lot more coming across. 679 00:37:25,320 --> 00:37:29,520 Each tarmac marking has to comply with an international standard. 680 00:37:29,520 --> 00:37:32,600 In the corner there 9.22. 681 00:37:32,600 --> 00:37:36,560 So precision and attention to detail is crucial. 682 00:37:36,560 --> 00:37:37,680 Then we can start painting. 683 00:37:39,560 --> 00:37:41,960 Some of them have a continual red line. 684 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:44,560 Equipment storage has a broken red line 685 00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:47,280 and the black is only there to highlight the red. 686 00:37:50,280 --> 00:37:53,160 The red marking is what defines what it means. 687 00:37:54,800 --> 00:37:58,560 As the crew starts to paint, the rain gets heavier. 688 00:37:58,560 --> 00:38:00,480 I should have brought the shampoo! (LAUGHS) 689 00:38:02,120 --> 00:38:05,240 Well, the way the weather's going, we've got a small window, maybe about an hour. 690 00:38:05,240 --> 00:38:08,640 And as we're speaking, it's getting heavier. 691 00:38:08,640 --> 00:38:10,640 So the window might close. 692 00:38:10,640 --> 00:38:12,800 Might only be half an hour window. 693 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:15,320 We'll get what we can done. See how we go. 694 00:38:15,320 --> 00:38:20,200 Working around aircraft movements at night and in the rain 695 00:38:20,200 --> 00:38:24,400 presents many more challenges than your average maintenance job. 696 00:38:24,400 --> 00:38:26,600 At night time, obviously with these conditions, 697 00:38:26,600 --> 00:38:27,840 once the ground is wet, 698 00:38:27,840 --> 00:38:31,560 it takes longer for the ground conditions to dry out. 699 00:38:31,560 --> 00:38:34,440 Like, during the day, you might get a bit of sunshine 700 00:38:34,440 --> 00:38:37,320 that breaks in the afternoon and can dry the ground conditions out 701 00:38:37,320 --> 00:38:38,960 and you can continue on, 702 00:38:38,960 --> 00:38:40,520 but at night time we don't have that luxury. 703 00:38:40,520 --> 00:38:43,240 We want to get it done, you know. This is our job. This is what we do. 704 00:38:43,240 --> 00:38:46,360 Luckily, we've put some thinners in the paint, 705 00:38:46,360 --> 00:38:47,720 which helps the paint dry. 706 00:38:49,680 --> 00:38:52,880 As quick as the rain came, it's gone again. 707 00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:57,240 And the team can continue their work. 708 00:39:00,680 --> 00:39:02,320 We're on a mission. 709 00:39:02,320 --> 00:39:05,280 You can actually probably see how old those notations are 710 00:39:05,280 --> 00:39:06,760 from all the wear and tear. 711 00:39:06,760 --> 00:39:08,280 We've got to get them down. 712 00:39:09,720 --> 00:39:11,960 Well, if we hadn't have had all the bad luck with the weather, 713 00:39:11,960 --> 00:39:13,800 we would have had it done a lot longer ago. 714 00:39:13,800 --> 00:39:15,240 But anyway, that's, uh, 715 00:39:15,240 --> 00:39:18,640 that's one of the challenges that we face sometimes out here. 716 00:39:21,360 --> 00:39:24,640 I'm hoping we'll get it done by 0300 717 00:39:24,640 --> 00:39:26,320 and give them plenty of time to dry. 718 00:39:26,320 --> 00:39:27,520 So it's all good for the morning. 719 00:39:27,520 --> 00:39:30,920 When that first aircraft's coming in here and they start using this bay, 720 00:39:30,920 --> 00:39:31,960 it'll all be good. 721 00:39:33,760 --> 00:39:35,120 Without the bad weather, 722 00:39:35,120 --> 00:39:38,920 the paint can stick and there's plenty of it to get down. 723 00:39:42,880 --> 00:39:44,360 To complete this bay tonight, 724 00:39:44,360 --> 00:39:49,040 we'll probably go through 60 litres of yellow, maybe a little bit more. 725 00:39:49,040 --> 00:39:52,160 40 litres of black, 30 litres of white, 726 00:39:52,160 --> 00:39:53,520 40 litres of red. 727 00:39:54,880 --> 00:39:56,760 Yeah, we chew through the paint. 728 00:39:56,760 --> 00:39:59,560 With so many aircraft using the bay, 729 00:39:59,560 --> 00:40:02,320 it's critical the markings are accurate. 730 00:40:04,040 --> 00:40:06,880 Now we've transferred over to the stencil work, 731 00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:09,280 which are all the different aircraft types. 732 00:40:10,960 --> 00:40:13,280 We've got an A320 733 00:40:13,280 --> 00:40:16,000 and then you've got, you know, you've got your 747s. 734 00:40:16,000 --> 00:40:19,160 I think there's about 18 different aircraft types on this bay. 735 00:40:22,000 --> 00:40:23,360 It's all guns a blazing. 736 00:40:27,000 --> 00:40:32,880 And finally, after weeks of delays, bay D11 has its new lines. 737 00:40:32,880 --> 00:40:34,640 Mission accomplished. 738 00:40:36,280 --> 00:40:38,560 But there's no rest for Colin and the team 739 00:40:38,560 --> 00:40:41,360 at the airport that never sleeps. 740 00:40:41,360 --> 00:40:42,840 Always something to do. 741 00:40:42,840 --> 00:40:44,720 Never a dull moment at Melbourne Airport, 742 00:40:44,720 --> 00:40:46,440 that's for sure. 743 00:40:46,440 --> 00:40:47,800 It's 6am. 744 00:40:50,600 --> 00:40:53,240 And the biggest passenger plane in the skies 745 00:40:53,240 --> 00:40:55,480 is approaching the newly-painted bay. 746 00:40:59,080 --> 00:41:02,280 There's lines on the ground for every aircraft type. 747 00:41:03,480 --> 00:41:06,560 And we want to park it on the A388. 748 00:41:07,680 --> 00:41:08,800 Right there. 749 00:41:10,360 --> 00:41:13,840 And with that, Melbourne Airport has notched up yet another 750 00:41:13,840 --> 00:41:15,840 action-packed 24 hours. 751 00:41:19,840 --> 00:41:22,200 Even with a few unexpected curveballs... 752 00:41:23,320 --> 00:41:26,000 ..Australia's busiest all-hours airport... 753 00:41:27,960 --> 00:41:29,640 ..has kept planes flying, 754 00:41:29,640 --> 00:41:33,440 businesses ticking and families hugging it out. 755 00:41:34,520 --> 00:41:37,760 It's a massive job and one that the team love to take on 756 00:41:37,760 --> 00:41:40,440 with some help from a little caffeine. 757 00:41:40,440 --> 00:41:43,480 You know it's been a busy day when I've only made one pot of coffee. 758 00:41:45,200 --> 00:41:47,200 Captions by Red Bee Media 759 00:41:48,305 --> 00:42:48,297