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Cynthia Goodyear
Weston’s Concessions
Grace under pressure, a winning attitude, and a passion for the job. It’s little wonder that Cynthia Goodyear, who sells “moose milk” ice cream (just a joke among international customers) and has served tea to Her Majesty, is among the most beloved people in the airport family. She’s seen and served them all—from Gorbachev to ol’ Blue Eyes—with the dignity, poise and good nature that earned her the nickname “Smiles” when she began as the duty-free shop assistant cashier back in 1982. Cynthia truly is one of the key people who make YQX fly.
What’s the nature of your job?
I’m the Operations Manager, but I do everything, from cashier to office work, in-flight service, I can cook. You name it, I can help.
Do you get nervous serving heads of state?
I didn’t get nervous serving the Queen of England 10 years ago, and I guess she’s about as high profile as they go. I do remember though, that I made tea for her and she had asked for coffee (laughs). All the kings and queens of the world have been through the VIP room here at the airport.
What’s the secret to dealing with royalty?
Be polite, be nice, and make sure you’re ready to meet their needs before they arrive.
So you must deal with a fair amount of celebrities …
Oh yes, too many to recall right now. I remember when Frank Sinatra was in. He was very nice and asked a lot of questions. John Travolta was interesting. He was very lively, joking around and dancing.
What part about your job at YQX do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy meeting people and serving them, ensuring they have what they need. I love everything about my job. The busier I am, the more I like it.
What’s your personal recommendation from Westons catering menu?
The seafood platter is the best. It’s always very high on the list of people coming through, perhaps because it’s seen as a Newfoundland tradition.
And you always seem to be in a good mood …
I’m always pleasant, and you have to be that way when you have staff. You can’t be moody or grumpy, that can go right through your staff and on to your customers.
Mike Kennedy
Allied Aviation
 Mike Kennedy started with Allied Aviation in 1998. Mike provides an essential role in servicing aircraft at Gander, and as an ambassador for CYQX.
What is the nature of your job?
I’m a shift manager for Allied Aviation. I organize ground handling for flights transiting through Gander, including flight plans, weather, de-icing, ground power – any service that may be required on the ground.
Was there anything that attracted you the aviation industry?
I’ve lived in Gander my entire life, and I’ve always found the aviation activity here interesting.
Is there any aspect of your job you like?
I really enjoy dealing with international crews and meeting new people. I like the “people part” of the job, and it’s always interesting to see a new airline coming through Gander and show them what we can do.
What’s the key to keeping pilots/crew happy?
You simply provide the services they require quickly and professionally.
Does your job ever involve any unique tasks or requests?
Not regularly. I have been asked to identify human remains – it’s a long story – and pick up food for crews. The other day I took a gentleman transiting Gander to the Arrow Air crash site. As it turns out, the man had been supposed to be on the aircraft in Cairo and was pulled prior to boarding. It was a sobering experience.
You also serve a marketing function, as well as an operational role …
True. We all try to promote the airport, its capabilities and infrastructure.
What do you do in your spare time?
Basically sports, both playing and coaching. I coach track and field and basketball. It seems if someone needs a coach, I’ll end up coaching. I also enjoy the outdoors.
Brian Hicks
Manager of Safety and Airside Operations
 Brian Hicks is the Manager of Safety and Airside Operations at Gander International Airport. He has two decades of aviation experience as a firefighter, air traffic operational specialist, airport duty manager and flight planner. Brian and wife Anne live in Gander and have an energetic five-year-old son, Matthew.
So what's your responsibility at the airport?
I'm accountable for emergency response services and the safety of all the passengers and aircraft at the airport. This means working with our staff on such things as runway conditions, wildlife management, passenger safety and everything in between. It can be something as small as ensuring the parking lot is well-salted during an icy day to working with our team to address significant aviation emergencies.
I guess it can be a difficult job on occasion.
Well, it's a major commitment, a second marriage. The airport never sleeps, and that means 24/7 readiness for all types of situations. This goes not just for me, but the entire operational team at the airport.
You've been around aviation for the bulk of your adult life. What's the attraction?
Growing up in Gander, I was always drawn to watching aircraft take off, I guess in the same way kids in fishing communities stand on the wharf and watch the longliners go out. My dad worked in aviation, and that was a big influence. I tried my hand working in other fields, but found I was always happiest in aviation.
Any event during your years at the airport stand out?
There's a lot of strange and interesting experiences through the years. For strange things, I remember many, many years ago there was a bomb scare, we had secured our perimeter and undertaken all the necessary preventative steps. What strikes me about the incident was that the suspicious devise was removed in a plastic bucket with a pillow in it. Much has changed since then.
What's your favourite vacation spot?
St. Pete's Beach in Florida. The sun, the food, the atmosphere-it's a great place to unwind. I recommend Pass-a-Grille Beach, for sun, shopping, dining and fun. It's got an amazing view of St. Pete's, Madeira Beach and Clearwater. Try and go when the sun is setting. I also have to put in a plug for Cuba, as well. It's an amazing country and an amazing vacation. I've only been once, but I hope for many returns.
What's in your CD player right now?
My son Matthew has taken over the stereo. He's really into Jimmy Buffett, strangely enough. The good news is I'm a Parrothead, too.
What's the best advice you've received?
My father would say, "Always be fair and just." I've tried to live by that.
What do you do in your spare time?
When I'm not spending time with the family, I like to take motorcycle trips to places like Twillingate. In the winter, you can generally find me on snowmobile. I also do some mountain biking. I used to sail a bit, and maybe when I have some more free time I can dust off the old sailboat.
Bill Hunter
Supervisor Structural Maintenance
If Bill Hunter were a baseball player, he'd be what you'd call a utility man-someone who can play every position on the field. On the airfield at Gander International Airport, the Supervisor of Structural Maintenance serves a similar role. When there are facility problems, regardless of how big or small, Bill often gets the call.
Bill is originally from St. Chad's, Bonavista Bay. He began work at the airport in 1983, working at Hangar 13 as a carpenter. He became a supervisor in 1991. Most recently, he completed the six-week Aircraft Firefighting Training Certification as part of the airport's cross-training initiative.
He and wife Barb have been married for 33 years. They have two daughters, Sarah, who works in Gander at the airport with Allied Aviation, and Lenore, who calls Fort McMurray home and provided two grandsons, Jake and Sean.
So what's your responsibility at the airport?
I'm the supervisor of structural and mobile equipment at the airport.
What does a typical day involve for you?
It could be anything. Often, it's structural work-repairing overhead doors, locks, windows, seating, ceiling tiles. When need be, I'm flexed out to groundside and sometimes airside for snow clearing. I am also responsible for supervising the mechanics and trades helpers.
Any part of the job you particularly enjoy?
I enjoy the different types of projects I get in the run of a day-it's always something new with a facility that's 50 years old. We like to keep busy.
What's your favourite vacation spot?
During the winter, it would be at my cabin on Third Pond. I like the relaxation, the outdoor activity, the snowmobiling, having a boil up in the woods … I'm happiest outdoors.
You live in Davidsville. How do you find the commute to work?
I carpool. It takes about 45 minutes. For the most part, it's not too bad. The winter can be trying, but after 25 years of commuting, driving to work seems as easy as getting in the car and driving to the mall.
What advice would you give to people who are new to a supervisory role?
You need to be a people person and know how to motivate yourself and your team.
What's in your CD player right now?
A mix of old and new country.
What's the last good movie you saw?
3:10 to Yuma was pretty good. It's a new take on a traditional Western.
What's the best advice you've received?
"If you're going to do a job, do it well."
What's your most prized possession?
My family.
Where's your dream vacation?
My wife has always wanted to go to Nashville and visit the Grand OI' Opry.
What's the future of Newfoundland's rural communities?
Towns like Davidsville and most all Newfoundland's outports have been struggling. The death rate in the province is exceeding the birthrate, and we need a find a way to reduce outmigration and bring back young workers. Hopefully, some of the big industrial projects, like our oil and gas industry, will create new work opportunities for young people.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to relax at the cabin, cut firewood, snowmobile, moose hunt, and go cod fishing during the food fishery.
Do you have any culinary skills?
I make a decent meal of seal flippers. They key is to make sure the fat is completely removed and they are nice and clean, stick them in the oven and bake. In recent years, I've been chief cook for the Christmas dinner at the Maintenance Garage.
So what's your plan for the long-term?
Enjoy my job, retire at a decent age and enjoy a long, full life with plenty of free time to pursue the things that make me happy.
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