In a video now gone viral of a service cart spinning out of control at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Envoy Ramp Instructor Jorge Manalang is seen taking quick action. While others stood around and tried to corral the cart with their hands, quick-thinking Manalang, jumped onto a push-back tug and intercepted the cart, flipping it over and ending its wild ride.
The catering vehicle was parked by the Embraer 140 aircraft loading beverages for the outbound flight, when a case of water slipped onto the gas pedal and sent the cart spinning wildly in reverse. As the cart swung closer and closer to the loaded aircraft many rampers stood and watched as others tried to get close enough to stop it. Meanwhile, Manalang ran to the push-back tug, jumped in and rammed the cart full speed, knocking it over and ending the drama.
“I’m incredibly proud of Jorge’s actions – he not only prevented severe damage to the aircraft, but more importantly, he prevented what could have been serious injury to his fellow ramp employees or our customers onboard,” says Ricky Deane, Envoy vice president in Chicago. “He demonstrated the ‘safety first’ focus that we have here at the hub – it’s the foundation of everything we do.”
A six-year veteran of Envoy, Manalang is an instructor, responsible for passing along his knowledge and experience to new fleet service clerks. “I was just doing my job,” says Manalang. “Safety is our number one priority and I did not want anyone to get hurt, so I used the pushback to stop the cart.”
Envoy says a special recognition is being planned to thank Manalang for his heroic efforts.