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Staff Interviews

From a job in a different field to a job
as an airport vehicle mechanic.

Terumi Fujimoto

Joined NRTAS in 2023

Professional staff
  • Engineering Services
  • Mid-career recruiting
blue grade

I became a cook
after high school.

I first got interested in becoming a mechanic in junior high school. My father did electrical work and always hung out with mechanics, who I thought looked cool. But I didn’t become a mechanic after graduating high school and instead went to cooking school, where I had a scholarship. While I was a little disappointed at the time, I was also interested in cooking and saw it in a positive light, thinking it would be a good experience.

I worked for a total of about three years as a cook, at a restaurant and a school lunch facility. Although it was exciting to see for myself how my cooking skills were improving, my desire to become a mechanic was still there deep in my heart. Around six months after I started working, I began looking here and there for open mechanic positions. I did not find a company, however, that would accept someone like me who didn’t have experience or qualifications.

NRTAS allows people to become a mechanic
without prior experience or qualifications.

One day, my father told me that I could become a mechanic at NRTAS without having prior experience or qualifications. I didn’t have any idea what specialized airport vehicles were like, but I knew that I definitely wanted to find work as a mechanic. And I got hired at NRTAS. My path did not trace a straight line, but I was relieved to finally be taking my first step as a mechanic.

What initially surprised me after coming to NRTAS was the many different types of tools that are used. While I had worked on motorcycles just for fun before, I didn’t know most of the names of the tools used for special-purpose ground service equipment or what they were used for or how to hold them. I felt lost all the time.

I took classes and learned the basics of how the vehicles are put together and how they run during my first month and a half at NRTAS. Starting from nothing and learning the specialized knowledge, like engine and electrical system fundamentals, was a challenge, but I also liked it, so it didn’t feel like a struggle. After that I went through a month and a half of practical training and was able to start actually working after these three months of training.

Skills and hard work are recognized,
regardless of your sex.

My main job right now is performing six-month vehicle inspections. The vehicle types range from passenger vehicles used to get around the large grounds of Narita Airport to the towing tractors that pull aircraft and cargo. I’ve only worked at NRTAS for six months so far, so I always do my work together with a senior team member.

Apart from myself, everyone in Ground Service Equipment (GSE) Maintenance is a man. The age range is large but everyone is kind—if I don’t know how to do something, they will stop whatever they’re doing and show me how to do it. I was a little nervous before starting this job, but it seems like skills and hard work are recognized at NRTAS regardless of your sex, and I haven’t found it difficult to work here.

What’s been the hardest for me has been picking up heavy things. Sometimes the parts themselves are very heavy, but I manage with the help of my senior team members. Loosening the oil filter when changing oil is something that requires more physical strength than I imagined and is particularly hard for me. I’m also surprised at how different the sizes of special-purpose ground vehicles’ engines are compared to regular vehicles.

After performing an inspection I also have to do the paperwork. I create documents detailing the inspection work and for invoicing, which is also an important part of the job. Leaving accurate records creates a shared understanding of the vehicles’ status and helps ensure they get appropriate maintenance.

Including studying in my days
to acquire qualifications.

It was a big change going from being a cook to being a mechanic, but I also utilize my previous work experience in my current job. Most of my coworkers were other women at the school lunch facility, where part-time workers would sometimes get into arguments. I learned the importance of listening to the opinions of all part-time workers as the person responsible for the cooking pot area. It’s no different than how it’s important to do your work while taking in different opinions on the maintenance shop floor, where we often work alone.

Just like when handling knives and other cooking implements, I also have to be careful in how I handle each of my mechanic’s tools. It might seem trivial, but I watch how the more experienced team members are careful about doing even the most mundane tasks and learn from them.

My goal now is to obtain my Class 3 Automotive Mechanic license. It’s hard to study while also holding down a job, but I plan to work toward it bit by bit. My senior team members tell me that it takes about six years to be able to confidently do all the tasks by oneself. I’ve still got a long way to go, but right now it feels good to be able to do a little more on my own each day.

Based on my own experience, I say you should go for it if there’s something you want to do. Even if you start without having prior experience, as long as you enjoy what you’re doing you will find opportunities. Everything may not go your way, but if you like the work, even the struggles will become a source of satisfaction. I want to keep absorbing new things from my team and keep growing while having fun.

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One
Day
Schedule
A typical day’s schedule
  • 09:00

    Arrive at work
    I change into my work clothes by 9:10, do warmups, have a morning sync meeting and do cleaning.

  • 09:30

    Check work assignments and get the vehicles
    I check the work assigned to me for the day and get the vehicles for inspection.

  • 10:30

    Start work assignments
    After verifying the work details, I get a briefing, check my tools and start the work.
    I report my progress to my work supervisor as needed.

  • 12:00

    Break

  • 13:00

    Resume work
    I continue doing my work from the morning.

  • 16:00

    Work progress report
    I communicate my progress for the day to my work supervisor.

  • 17:45

    Leave work
    I change out of my work clothes at 17:35 and leave work at 17:45.

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Favorite
Places

My favorite parts of Narita

  • Pond in the outer perimeter
    Sometimes you can see ducks swimming and turtles sunning themselves in the pond.

  • Vehicle maintenance shop
    The different types of vehicles used in the airport get worked on here, and you see how they indirectly support operations.

  • Spot 192
    You can see the Flying Honu right up close from spot 192. You can see the details of the sea turtle design on the aircraft at such close range.

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