Hispanic Heritage Month: Mechanic Carlos Jusino
Working his way from an aviation parts specialist to a mechanic at our Greenville-Spartanburg maintenance base, Carlos Jusino found his way back to the job he loves and feels like there are endless opportunities for the Latino community to follow the same path. Carlos shares what he loves about his job and what we can do to encourage others to join the aviation industry.
How long have you been with PSA?
Three years.
What do you like about working for PSA and would you recommend it to others?
Working for PSA has allowed me to expand my skills as a mechanic and I definitely recommend it to those coming out of an A&P mechanic school.
What inspired you to join the aviation industry?
It sounds cliché, but as a child, I was infatuated with airplanes and I wanted to learn everything about them. After finishing A&P school, my first job was with American Eagle Airlines in 2000 at DFW airport. The tragic events of 9/11 sent our industry into a nosedive, and after transferring to JFK, I was furloughed. Years passed and the airlines were still struggling. The cost of living in New York City forced me into a world of retail management. Fast forward, I decided to move down to South Carolina for a better quality of life. I had not practiced my A&P Mechanic skills, so I interviewed for a parts clerk position just to get back into aviation. From there, I grew from a parts clerk to a mechanic in little time. I was back in the field I loved.
Tell me a little about your Hispanic heritage and what unique perspectives your Hispanic heritage give you as a mechanic?
I was born in The Bronx and raised in Brooklyn to Puerto Rican parents. I see my job as an airline emergency room (ER). I currently work third shift with a great group of people from all backgrounds. Every night is different. It's exciting to be part of a team with the same common goal – to get our birds (aircraft) to fly the next morning on time and with safety as our priority. I am the first-generation aviator in my family.
How can the industry motivate more people from Latino/Hispanic cultures to join aviation?
Latinos are hard-working people and we have many Latino mechanics here at PSA. In fact, there are many Latinos all over PSA. All it takes is educating our community. Make sure the Latino youth in high schools and colleges know that a career in aviation is available to them and guide them to take the first step. The reward is a sense of accomplishment. If we reach out to more Latino communities near us and educate young Latino kids of the many opportunities in this field and provide resources on how to go about starting a career in this industry, it’s a win-win for both the Latino community and PSA.
What are some of your career ambitions?
I have moved from being an Aviation Parts Specialist to a mechanic and my goal is to continue to grow. My dream was to own a home, travel the world and have a rewarding career in aviation with great benefits and PSA has allowed me to achieve all of that.
Anything else about your job or your heritage you want to add?
Like other companies in aviation, there are opportunities and challenges in this industry, but the Latino community within PSA rolls with the punches and are always willing and able to be at the forefront when it comes to change and are there to roll up their sleeves and bring action.