Ramper to Ramper

     Hi fellow rampers. This is a blog for rampers and those who love us. We live a different life from the mainstream and let's face it, we're kids in adult bodies. I say that, not as an insult but rather as a testament to our ability to persevere. There are two worlds for us, the airport and "real life."  Our lives are very different and not everyone is cut out for a life on the ramp. Our language, attitude, physical ability, and yes, even clothing are unique to us. For example, we go to work in our "play" clothes every day. While people in real life get up early enough to groom themselves and don adult clothes, we hop out of bed at minus 15 (you all know what that means), feed the dogs, find clean shorts and a t-shirt and run out the door. Our only goal is to get that finger on the time clock before our start time. We get our assignments, work a couple of flights, then eat lunch at 10:00. Our down time consists of cards, TV, and dominoes; just like when we were kids in kid bodies. Crossword puzzles are HUGE in our lives. One guy (everyone is a "guy" on the ramp) scrounges for a paper and makes copies of the puzzles for all. Once break-time is over, it's back to work with a full belly then we sit for the last 15 minutes or so, willing the clock to move faster. Then we move faster.
     No one on this earth walks faster than a ramper at quitting time. You see guys all day who struggle to walk to a belt loader and fall asleep holding chocks but by God when it's out time, we come to life like an Olympian. The end of a shift is magnificent, unless you're one of the many who are on a double. The end of an A.M. shift can be heartbreaking for someone stuck for another 8 hours. Watching everyone leave and picturing yourself doing the same can be pure torture...until pay day. You know who works back-to-back dubs without even asking. You come in the next morning to find them either draped over a table in the break room, asleep on a bench in the locker room, or simply sitting alone, staring straight ahead with no eye movement at all. Another tell tale sign is the guy's hair. Bed heads are everywhere, some have t-shirts on inside out and more often than not, 2 different socks. No, the break room in the morning is not a pretty place.
     This is just my 1st installation for this blog. I will post often and touch on such topics as weather, managers, everyday ramp life, and of course every one's favorite topic, TSA. Enjoy and if you like what you read, pass it on to anyone who loves a ramper.