ABSTRACT
During the early stages of the new airport's operations the general hands went through a period of gaining familiarity with the technical aspects of the job, and there emerged a pattern of social relationships. There were several promotions of general hands to leading hands in this early period. Many of these promotions went to hands who were often seen near the baggage master's office. The general hands accepted that the loading crew driver's job involved extra responsibility. This extra responsibility was clearly illustrated shortly after the airport opened when one driver was dismissed for reversing a lorry into a plane.
