Next time you put on your show pass, spare a thought for the team who have been labouring six months to make sure everyone who needs it has access to the site.
The work falls to the Process Unit of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP), and since early April Constables John Wood and Joe Kean have been busy with this year's requirements. As application forms are returned, a number of checks are carried out, and suitable personnel have passes made for them.
In all more than 20,000 applications from over 1,500 companies have been processed for this year's show - with a minimal number of people failing to meet the requirements. Applicants cover the spectrum of air show personnel from medical teams to display builders. There are nine different categories of pass and a number of guest badge categories issued by Show organisers as well.
Once applicants have been approved, their application forms are passed to the two civilian staff, John Morrison and Harry Paton, who make the laminated photographic passes. They also troubleshoot the various difficulties that arise - such as the submission of huge, high quality studio portrait photos instead of the required passport size. They also man the public counter, where passes are collected and queries answered. At times the queue to get into the building can stretch way back down the road. Language barriers and workers without the necessary documentation are among their main problems.
Source: Flight Daily News
