Spirit of Aloha | Message of Aloha | May/June 2003

Message of Aloha

Aviation Role Models

Greg Chilson applies his positive attitude to his job in Aloha's Customer Relations and Claims section and his volunteer role in the Aloha Airlines Explorers Program

Greg Chilson wanted to be another Arthur Fiedler, the legendary conductor for the Boston Pops, but instead became a role model in the aviation industry. How did this happen? It's the story of a late bloomer who turned a childhood of struggle into an exemplary life that today inspires those around him.

As a musically gifted kid in Trenton, N.J., in the 1980s, Greg played an array of instruments, including trumpet, valve trombone, baritone horn and cornet. Instead of accepting the full music scholarship that was offered him, he dropped out of high school to work full time and help his financially struggling family. Two years later, in 1987, he got his GED (General Education Development), the equivalent of a high school diploma. It was a hard-fought battle and it was far from over.

"Then I decided to try a two-year college," Greg recalls. "I failed miserably, but two years later, when I tried again, I did great." What made the difference was a student organization called Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), which, he says, "got me on the straight and narrow." Eventually, he became president of the organization for the state and, at Trenton State College, where he transferred, national vice president.

"It was my involvement in FBLA at all levels that got me sold on student organizations," Greg continues. "There's something about seeing that twinkle in their eyes when they realize that if you set a goal, anything is achievable."

Today Greg Chilson is the senior manager, Customer Relations and Claims, for Aloha Airlines. He puts his philosophy to work every day, on the job, and as a well-liked and enthusiastic volunteer adviser for the 16- through 20-year-olds who sign up for the Aloha Airlines Explorers Program. The students come from schools throughout O'ahu to explore the workings of
the airline.

"We cover eight departments in the program," says Greg, "and one night we go to the Fire Department at the airport, called Air Crash Fire Rescue." Explorers get to sit in the cockpit of a Boeing 737, learn how Aloha's reservations system works and tour the maintenance hangar. In the advanced program for the second half of the year, the students select their areas of interest in ancillary aviation programs. These include visits to the Air Traffic Control Tower, Customs and Immigration, and even an F-15 fighter jet at Hickam. It's the only program like it for the airline industry in Hawai'i.

Students are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a letter of recommendation. After that, says Greg, the criteria for selection are subjective. "The beauty of this program," he continues, "is that of the 20 of the 30 students who want to be pilots or flight attendants, one or two will realize that it's not what they want to do. That's good information for them. They've gotten some exposure to the industry and I feel we've saved their parents $30,000 to $40,000. Aviation education can be costly." He says that those who go through the program are receiving, essentially, a free 10-week college course.

Greg says that while he enjoys "empowering the kids and teaching them to be leaders," he feels that he's the lucky one. "At Aloha, so many people have been with us for 35 to 40 years," he notes. "They have a tribal knowledge, a historical knowledge, of our company. There is tremendous loyalty among our employees and customers. I had been back and forth to Hawai'i eight times before I decided to move here. I ended up with the best job I've ever had."

Glenn R. Zander
President and Chief Executive Officer, Aloha Airlines

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