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United Hopes to Lap the Competition

What does NASCAR have to do with air travel? More than you think. In an article today about NASCAR pit crews--and how much more intense and serious an endeavor they have become as the big bucks flow in that direction--the New York Times mentions that there is such a thing as NASCAR pit crew fantasy camp. While that's not our ideal vacation, we could understand how such a thing would hold an appeal for certain insane people.

United Airlines, however, sees the camps as a training opportunity, and sends their ground crews to the camp to improve the speed with which they turnaround the aircraft when it arrives at the gate.

Among its corporate clients is United Airlines, which sends members of its ground crews from around the country to the school here. As they become pit crews, they learn about efficiency and teamwork.

A United spokeswoman, Megan McCarthy, said the company was working to reduce the turnaround time for jets at the gate and was reaping the benefits of the program with 32 flights added at its Denver hub because of time saved on the ground.

Good job, United. Who cares about maintenance or safety when you can change a tire in less than ten seconds?

Related Stories:
·   On Pit Row [NYT]