San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a facility often described as a "mini city itself," operates around the clock, sustained by a vast network of hidden functions that are essential for air travel. Aviation journalist Sam Chui spent two days behind the scenes discovering the complex land, sea, and air operations that drive this critical hub, revealing technological advancements and strategic plans for future growth.
The journey began on the water, where Sam Chui joined the Fire Department's marine unit. Utilizing a rescue boat and jet skis, this unit maintains safety on the San Francisco Bay, particularly near the end of runways two-eight-right and two-eight-left, the final approach for the two longest runways at SFO. Their primary responsibility is safety on the water, responding not only to potential aircraft incidents but also to boats in distress. During a simulation, Chui participated in a rescue exercise, attempting to recover a dummy victim from the water, noting the difficulty presented by strong water current. For large-scale disasters, the unit carries self-inflating life rafts that provide a surface for victims to hold onto while more equipment is coordinated with the San Francisco Coast Guard and other fire departments.
On the airfield, Airport Operations (Ops) conducted a necessary runway inspection. This is a slow, gradual process, not a swift alert response, designed to look for tiny details like imperfections, Foreign Object Debris (FOD), or spills.
Staff look for subtle issues such as a knocked-over light, a potential crack or pothole, or worn runway markings, tasks too difficult to perform at high speeds. The airport currently uses its preferred configuration, directing domestic departures off runways one left and right, and heavier international aircraft departing off two-way left and two-way right, with landings performed on two-way left and right.
Related article - Uphorial Shopify
Sam Chui also explored the airport’s infrastructure, including the baggage handling system, which possibly cost hundreds of millions of dollars. This complex system uses white trays, or totes, to pick up bags. The primary benefits of this investment are energy cost savings (elements only run when a tote passes by) and one hundred percent tote tracking, which allows staff to know exactly where each bag is at every point, drastically reducing lost bags.
Maintenance operations include an auto shop that maintains thousands of vehicles, from simple weed whackers to large Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARF) trucks. Specialized equipment includes the paint striper truck, used to paint the majority of the center lines and markings on the runway, and the massive asphalt grinder, which is capable of grinding up concrete and asphalt before a paver lays down new material.
A highlight of the tour was the United Airlines move team's demonstration of a new electric tug. This vehicle is notably quiet and highly capable, able to tow everything from an Embraer one-seventy-five up to an Airbus three-eighty. The tug operates by pulling up to the aircraft, closing a cradle to squeeze the nose gear, and then lifting the front wheel off the ground for towing. The electric vehicle can move four aircraft between the maintenance base and the terminal before needing a recharge.
Looking ahead, SFO Director Mike shared the vision to grow the airport from about fifty-two million to at least seventy-two million passengers over the next decade. The focus is on major facility investment and creating a "tremendous passenger experience" while maintaining its status as one of the greenest airports in the world. The ambition is for SFO to be the premier trans-pacific gateway in the United States. Modernization includes connecting all terminals so passengers can walk internally air side without going through security again.
For aviation enthusiasts, Sam Chui highlighted the recently renovated observation area on Level Four of Terminal Two and the SFO Aviation Museum, which is free admission and open seven days a week, displaying artifacts from airlines like Pan Am, TWA, and Swiss Air. For those needing accommodation, the Grand Hyatt SFO Hotel is recommended for its direct Air Train connection and "amazing airport view".
