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Delta honors AMT Jimmy Ferrando's six-decade legacy

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Delta honors AMT Jimmy Ferrando's six-decade legacy
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Allison Ausband, E.V.P. and Chief People Officer | Delta Air Lines

There are few individuals at Delta Air Lines who have witnessed the evolution of aviation as closely as Jimmy Ferrando. With a career spanning 60 years in the airline industry, Ferrando has had a unique vantage point on history.

Ferrando is an aviation maintenance technician (AMT) with Delta TechOps, one of more than 6,600 AMTs globally who play a crucial role in ensuring Delta's operations are safe, clean, and punctual. Currently, he is tasked with maintaining spare engines at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), ensuring they are ready for immediate deployment if needed.

His career began with Western Airlines over two decades before its merger with Delta in 1987. Reflecting on his first day at LAX in 1965, Ferrando recalls seeing a Boeing 720 and thinking: “Holy smokes! This thing’s massive!”

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Recalling those early days, Ferrando's knowledge of aircraft remains extensive. The Boeing 720 was relatively new then; mechanics like him also serviced propeller engines such as those on the Lockheed Constellation or "Super Connie."

When asked about his favorite aircraft to work on, Ferrando quickly names the Boeing 727. He describes it as easy to work on and reminisces about being "all over that airplane."

Reflecting on his most cherished memory from the past six decades, Ferrando expresses fascination with working in factories where aircraft were prepared for service. He finds watching the assembly process—from small metal pieces forming an MD-11—captivating.

On the same morning he shared these reflections, Ferrando met some of TechOps' newest hires. His advice centered around curiosity: “You’ve always got to be curious because this airplane is going to change constantly,” he advised them.

Organizations Included in this History
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