Life at MAN - Millie Williams (Airfield Security Officer)

When you’re travelling through Manchester Airport as a passenger, your main interactions with our airport security colleagues will be when you and your bags go through the security screening process, before you proceed to the departure lounge to catch your flight. But there are a number of other security teams working at the airport that you might never interact with directly, but who are nevertheless a vital part of keeping you safe as you travel – working in various areas from screening hold baggage, to patrolling the airfield and conducting checks on vehicles and deliveries.

Millie Williams, an Airfield Security Officer, talks us through her role at a security post on the airfield perimeter, explaining how she helps navigate lorries past planes, makes the most of the great outdoors – and her favourite spot for a Continental breakfast.

How long have you been working at Manchester Airport?

I’ve been at the airport for just over 2 years, starting as a Security Ambassador in T2 before becoming an Aviation Security Officer (ASO). I have recently moved to the Airfield Security team and now work as an Airfield Security Officer.

What does your job involve on a typical day?

I’m based at the security post on Runger Lane, managing access to the airfield for construction drivers and vehicles to enter the airfield making deliveries for the Terminal Two transformation. Our team have responsibility for searching vehicles, the drivers and then escorting them across taxiways to the compound. As they are visitors to the airfield, they must be escorted.

What skills and training are needed for the role?

To qualify as an ASO you need to take a set of exams, which are refreshed annually, and you have to pass to be able to continue in the role. The skills required include being thorough and observant within all areas of our work. Communication skills are vital in the role to allow a smooth and efficient process for everybody. Good knowledge of airfield operations and problem-solving abilities are also helpful as we deal with a multitude of variables between each vehicle we process.

What are the differences between working as an airfield security officer and working as a security officer in the terminal doing passenger and baggage checks?

There are possibly too many differences to name, which may be surprising as the role sounds very similar. Inside the terminal your job consists of helping the passengers get to their destinations ensuring safety for all. This includes preparing them for security, x-raying their belongings and conducting body and bag searches. You may also deal with any unattended baggage and processing of staff such as crew and retail personnel.

Although some roles are similar on the airfield such as X-ray, bag and body searches, we also conduct vehicle searches, patrols, cargo searchers, vehicle escorts and help with aircraft emergency situations.

Your main role as a security officer is to protect the integrity of the airport and the skies, although being on the airfield means you have access to the great outdoors, which is brilliant in summer – not so much in winter!

What do you enjoy the most about working at the airport?

It has to be that every day really is different. My job is nonstop, and I love that. We have a great team at Runger Lane who really do pull together to help each other out.

I also enjoy interacting with the delivery drivers and construction workers. Some of these professions mean long days with little interaction, so they really appreciate the chat and laugh they have with us.

I’m also super proud to work at the airport. I love to explain to anybody who will listen about my job and what I do. It’s always a great conversation starter as people are always interested in the airport and have many questions.

What are some of the specific challenges you face as an airfield security officer to keep the airfield open and running 24/7?

To keep the Runger Lane post open and running, efficient processing of deliveries is essential. Some of the drivers may have never been to the airport before, and some only find out they’re coming here on the day, so conducting vehicle searches promptly and guiding them through that process is a challenge!

Once the vehicle is searched we then escort it across the airfield to the Pier 2 compound, which can mean contending with aircraft movements, as the vehicles we escort are up to 100 tonnes. These are also slow-moving lorries so we have to wait for enough clearance from aircraft for ourselves and the vehicle we are escorting. We also have low visibility procedures to follow in extreme weather such as fog or snow. But the challenges involved in the job help keep things interesting!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone considering a career at the airport?

Just say yes. I love to stick to this motto and I’m yet to regret it. Every opportunity you are offered at the airport, just say ‘yes’. You never know what doors it will open and who you will meet. There is so much scope within MAG to move around and explore new career paths. I never imagined myself working on the airfield but I genuinely enjoy my job and all it has to offer.

What do you like to do when you're not at work?

Outside of work I’m a keen baker and I love to cook. My team at Runger Lane frequently get to enjoy freshly baked treats. I’m also a huge fan of Formula One. No surprise but I also love to travel. My favourite pastime whilst travelling is finding local spots for breakfast and trying to guess the menu. I found a great neighbourhood cafe in Amsterdam for a bacon and cheese pancake. I still think about it daily.

Which destination that we fly to from Manchester do you most want to visit?

I’m fascinated by America and would love to explore Texas and Louisiana. Everything from the music to the food and national parks looks amazing. It would be a dream to attend the Texas Grand Prix too.