At Republic Airways, safety always comes first. We know that when you give the right people, the right resources and the right training, our airline will succeed. That’s why we are so invested in our maintenance team and technical operations. One of the people leading the way for Republic is VP of Technical Services and Marine Corps veteran Sean Toth.
We sat down with Sean to talk about how safety is rooted in everything we do, as well how we’re strengthening our team while supporting veterans through the Aircraft Maintenance Military Transition Apprenticeship Program (AMMTAP).
When Sean joined Republic in 2019, his first conversations were all about safety. “Everyone here is grounded in safety,” he remembers. “It’s not just a metric; it’s a huge part of the culture.”
Sean has found that at Republic, there are no cut corners and no shortcuts. “My job is to take an already robust safety management system and fortify it further and further. We’re always evolving.”
“When everybody’s bought in, and safety is number one, it’s easier to implement new measures and continuously improve.” One of Sean’s initial focuses was making safety reporting a simpler process for Republic Associates. “Just having the systems isn’t enough,” Sean explains. “You have to talk the talk and walk the walk.”
“If safety is number one, then our labor force is number two,” says Sean. “In aviation, the right people make the difference. It’s our job to give those people the resources they need to succeed.”
One of the ways Republic has continued to find the best is through AMMTAP. This program provides service members with experience in aircraft maintenance a pathway to a civilian career. As a veteran himself, Sean knows exactly how important this is.
“There’s a gap when it comes to transitioning out of service,” says Sean. “I was able to get my Airframe and Powerplant License while serving, which made the transition smoother, but no one was there telling me what to do.”
Around 90% of military members with aircraft maintenance experience leave the aviation industry after service. “That’s a lot of missing potential,” Sean says. “These are people that are already trained, people who know how to adapt and know how to learn quickly. They just don’t know that there are careers waiting for them in commercial aviation.”
With AMMTAP, Republic Airways can help those transitioning out of service find a fulfilling and stable career in commercial aircraft maintenance. “It’s a win-win. We help close that gap and strengthen our team at the same time.”
Learn more about our dedication to safety through maintenance at https://careers.rjet.com/airline-careers/maintenance-technicians/.