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when necessary. It is your job to stay alert and communicate any problems related to pas- senger safety. Many other workers are needed in airport maintenance. The physical plant of an airport needs to be in top operating order day and night, and crews are at work nonstop to provide that safe and accessible environment for the nation’s airline passengers and the myriad of businesses that utilize airports. Lighting must be in working order. Electrical services must be maintained. The grass needs cutting. The shrubs must be managed. Snow and ice have to be removed from planes and runways. At any given time, you’re likely to see someone painting walls or fixtures as you walk through a terminal. You’ll find people repairing walls and seating and every other functional or decorative item. There are almost 20,000 airports across the country, and they all need staff. That said, only a fraction of airports concentrate on serving regular passenger airliners. The majority of airports serve individual pilots and their aircraft and are located throughout the country. p  An airport screener searches a passenger’s carryon bag. Airport Security, Baggage, or Maintenance Worker  • 13