25 years at Air Zermatt: “I was already homesick after a week…”
25 years and counting: That’s how long Angela Steiner has been working at Air Zermatt. With three different roles under her belt, she currently works on the technical side of the company. Surrounded by screwdrivers, piles of documents and half-assembled helicopters, the 51-year-old describes it as a job for life.
Steiner and her husband Manfred live in the village of Gampel. For the last 15 years, she has worked in the Technical Service department as Deputy NPCA. Angela is responsible for all the admin that maintenance brings with it.
“My main task is to oversee the maintenance work. I’m responsible for all the accounting and documentation. I fill out the work reports and look after ordering materials and general administration.”
It was coincidence that brought Angela to Air Zermatt. “I used to work for the paramedic service in Upper Valais. During one emergency, I made a call to Air Zermatt. They happened to be looking for someone in dispatch and I was able to get the job.” Angela worked for seven years on the front line. She then moved to her first administrative role, where she worked in accounting.
“As a child, I was always playing with toy cars instead of dolls.”
A short separation
Fifteen years ago, Angela took the decision to leave Air Zermatt. “I felt like I was ready for new challenges. It was time to discover something new. But as so often in life, you only learn to appreciate what you have when it’s gone.”
That was certainly true in her case. “I was already homesick after a week.” Angela missed the buzz of the heliport in Raron so much that she returned just four weeks later and found her place in the Technical Service team, where she still works today.
She is convinced that she has found her calling: “As a child, I was always playing with toy cars instead of dolls.” As the department’s only woman, she feels well respected and values the friendly relationship with her colleagues. “The Technical Service department are a great bunch of people.”
A quarter century of companionship
Working at the same company for 25 years means something special. Angela describes her relationship with her long-standing colleagues as very close. They have grown together over the years and have a good rapport, not only at work but in their private lives, too.
They have all gone through the changes of the last few decades together. Particularly in terms of technology, the progress has been enormous. “But this also brings new bureaucracy with it. The administrative workload has vastly increased,” says Angela.
Angela Steiner in the dispatch office.
At the beginning, Angela was part of the dispatch office.
Angela Steiner in the Alouette of Air Zermatt
In the past and today Angela is fascinated by helicopters.
A short separation
Fifteen years ago, Angela took the decision to leave Air Zermatt. “I felt like I was ready for new challenges. It was time to discover something new. But as so often in life, you only learn to appreciate what you have when it’s gone.”
That was certainly true in her case. “I was already homesick after a week.” Angela missed the buzz of the heliport in Raron so much that she returned just four weeks later and found her place in the Technical Service team, where she still works today.
She is convinced that she has found her calling: “As a child, I was always playing with toy cars instead of dolls.” As the department’s only woman, she feels well respected and values the friendly relationship with her colleagues. “The Technical Service department are a great bunch of people.”
A quarter century of companionship
Working at the same company for 25 years means something special. Angela describes her relationship with her long-standing colleagues as very close. They have grown together over the years and have a good rapport, not only at work but in their private lives, too.
They have all gone through the changes of the last few decades together. Particularly in terms of technology, the progress has been enormous. “But this also brings new bureaucracy with it. The administrative workload has vastly increased,” says Angela.
The maintenance of the helicopters also means a large administrative effort.