My Life on the Tarmac at SFO
Ever stared out the window at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), watching those massive jets glide in and out? You see the passengers, the pilots, maybe the baggage handlers. But there’s a whole army of people working behind the scenes to make your flight happen. And me? I’m one of them. I’m an aircraft fueler.
Forget pumping gas into your family car. Imagine driving a truck carrying thousands of gallons of highly specialized jet fuel (usually Jet A) right up to a Boeing 777 or an Airbus A380 – planes that look like metal mountains up close. That’s my office: the busy, noisy, and surprisingly complex tarmac of SFO.
Not Your Average Gas Station Job
My day usually starts before the sun comes up, or sometimes ends long after it sets. Airports never sleep, and planes always need fuel. First thing is safety checks – on my truck, my equipment, everything. Safety isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s everything. We’re handling flammable liquid next to machines worth millions of dollars carrying hundreds of people. There’s zero room for error.
When a plane arrives and parks at the gate, that’s our cue. We get the call, drive our tanker or connect to the underground hydrant system, and carefully maneuver up to the wing. You feel tiny next to these jets. The engines might still be cooling down, making ticking sounds, and the smell of jet fuel is always in the air (you get used to it!).
Then comes the connection. We ground the truck and the aircraft (to prevent static electricity – zap! is NOT something you want here), unroll heavy hoses, and hook them up to the plane’s fuel ports under the wing. You have to be precise. You double-check everything. Then, watching the gauges, you pump maybe 10,000, 20,000, even 50,000 gallons of fuel. It takes serious concentration. You’re constantly listening to your radio, watching for other vehicles, and communicating with the ground crew and sometimes the pilots.
The Sights and Sounds of the Airfield
Working at SFO means you’re right in the middle of the action. The noise is constant – the deep roar of engines starting up, the high-pitched whine of jets taxiing, the beeping of baggage carts. It’s loud, but it’s also the sound of the world connecting.
You see planes from everywhere: giant double-deckers flying to Asia, smaller jets heading across the country, sleek private planes. You see the sun rise over the San Francisco Bay, painting the sky amazing colors while fog often rolls in, making everything feel kind of mysterious. You work in the California sun, the biting wind, and sometimes, the pouring rain. You have to be ready for anything.
It’s a physical job, too. Hoses are heavy, climbing onto the truck takes effort, and you’re on your feet a lot. You’re wearing safety gear – high-visibility vests, steel-toed boots, ear protection.
Why Do It?
So why brave the noise, the weather, and the pressure? Honestly, it’s pretty cool. There’s a sense of responsibility knowing that plane isn’t going anywhere without the fuel you just provided. You’re a critical link in global travel. You’re not just pumping gas; you’re helping families go on vacation, business people make connections, and people explore the world.
You’re part of a team – pilots, mechanics, gate agents, controllers, baggage handlers, and fuelers – all working together like a well-rehearsed dance to get these metal birds safely into the sky.
It’s definitely not your typical desk job. It’s challenging, demanding, and requires constant focus. But standing on the tarmac at SFO, watching a plane you just fueled lift off into the sky? That feels pretty important.
So next time you’re flying out of SFO, take a look out the window before takeoff. You might just see one of us in a big truck, getting the next giant ready for its journey. We’re the fuelers, and we help keep the world moving.
Click here if you are looking for a job as an aircraft fueler.