My Visit to Queretaro
This week, I visited Messier Services new maintenance facility in Queretaro, Mexico. The facility does landing gear and hydraulic component work for Bombardier CRJ and Airbus A320 aircraft, with expansion to 737NG and A300 components expected soon.
I had visited Messier Services’ U.S. facility in Sterling, Virginia about four years ago. There were many A&Ps working there, and the facility was performing a lot of landing gear and hydraulic component work.
Two years ago, Messier Services realized it had outgrown the Sterling facility, and needed to open a new facility to accomodate expected growth. It eventually chose Queretaro.
The Sterling, Virginia facility has since been shut down, with all the work that was previously done there now being done in Queretaro. Most of the equipment was moved from Sterling to the new facility.
As I walked around the facility, I must admit I was impressed. The work was being performed just like any top-notch facility I have seen in the U.S. The processes were meticulous, with every attention to detail being paid. Current maintenance manuals, detailed inspection processes, and quality assurance steps were all incorporated. By the way, before the facility opened, Messier sent many of the technicians (who are certified by Mexico’s aviation authority) to facilities in the U.S, France, U.K., and Singapore for intensive training on the landing gear systems and processes they would be working with. Training lasted from several weeks to several months, depending on the job being performed.
During a press conference, I asked about drug and alcohol testing. The facility is certified as an FAA Part 147 repair station, and I asked if Messier Services’ technicians at the facility were required to undergo random drug and alcohol testing as workers at repair stations in the United States are. The facility manager told me that although there are no requirements for drug testing, they chose to implement a program anyway, and it is in effect.
Messier Services’ V.P. of sales and marketing told me he tries to get potential customers to visit the facility. He said there is a negative perception about foreign repair stations by some, and he likes to counter that objection by having the customers visit the facility and see first-hand what a top-notch facility it is.
After my visit, I would agree it is a top-notch facility. Messier Services has invested a lot in the facility and the workers to grow its business. It seems to be in a good position to accomplish that growth.
Thanks for reading.
Joe Escobar
Being a FAA part 145 repair station and performing safety sensitive work under contract by a part 121 carrier would make drug testing a requirement.
“Two years ago, Messier Services realized it had outgrown the Sterling facility, and needed to open a new facility to accomodate expected growth. It eventually chose Queretaro.”
Perhaps labor costs were also a factor
“I had visited Messier Services’ U.S. facility in Sterling, Virginia about four years ago. There were many A&Ps working there, and the facility was performing a lot of landing gear and hydraulic component work.”
I wonder what happened to those many A&Ps…
FYI, Non-US 145’s need not comply with the drug testing requirements that the US based 145’s do. Ref FAR 121 Appendix I, section XII. In fact, my experience shows that Messier’s 145 would be the exception rather than the rule for performing drug testing.
Perhaps when Joe’s writing is performed in Mexico or China he won’t write such glowing reports. Just remember, your next Joe. This country has no allegience to it’s own people, only the cheapest bidder. When all the middle-class workers are gone who will be left to want to read amtonline anyway!
‘ Messier Services has invested a lot in the facility and the workers…’
You have to wonder what Messier now invest annually in their workers Salary, Health Care, Retirement, etc… and how that compares against their previously employed U.S. workers.
We live in a Capitalistic society. We were born into it. Wake up quit putting your hand out. Nobody but you owes you. Globalization is painful to independence.
Scott
Thanks for setting me straight! I looked up the ref you provided. I learn something new everyday
Mike, you’re absolutely right about living in a capitalistic society. And I mean that on a global scale. I would add to that, the fact is that the ‘rules’ by with all nations participating in this globalized economy, are not applied or followed in equal ways. To not address this is akin to having your head buried in the sand.
We American tax payers have hired our due representatives to represent, protect, and advance our needs on a global as well as local scale. In that regard, and more specifically in regard to our chosen industry and profession, there is an obvious failure to serve us.
Thanks for reinforcing my point Tommy with your last two words. We also live in a democratic society and we vote. Therefore we are obligated to take responsibility for our represenitive. Not blame them. Only a selfish, I want it now, America would dictate what another Soverign Nation should do.
I believe in time these countries will eventually catch up to standards. As they grow economically, a certain pride and competative nature arises. I think Joe’s visit reflects this. This good for not just America.
I am a GM for a CRS, and yes the rules are painful. I also remember that they are written in blood.
I have visited the facility of Messier Services in Mexico to do an audit, it complies with the quality of any other in the world it is even an EASA Repair Station. Sorry to indicate that Mexican Technicians are some time more qualified than American technicians (sorry), because the Mexican Government has a law that they MUST be trained every two years to renew their Mexican license. I’m a quality assurance auditor, for Mexicana Airlines that has its own 145 repair station since 1959 in Mexico, outside repair stations are audited twice a year by the FAA and it is tough. This world is very competitive and the airline business is not for the humble or the passive.
Hey Carlos, you seem like someone who knows what is going on in the inside of this repair station, what is the typical total annual remuneration for a fully trained technician that works in the production department ? For an apple to apples comparison…?
Tommy it depends in which company you work for in Mexico, a technician can have an annual payment of 20000 dll to 30000 a year plus extra time if he’s good
Carlos, just because mexican mechanics have to renew their certificates every two years doesn’t mean they are more qualified, it only means their goverment is more of a pain. I am constantly in training, I have been for over 25 years. The Goverment is a poor judge of quailifcation. I have had many faa inspectors vist my shop over the years, I have only met one that knew what he was doing. The only reason a company from the USA would move their facility to another country is the almighty dollar. I feel sorry for the mexican mechs, as soon as they start asking for the money they are worth this will be made absolutly clear.