If you’ve ever worked as a contractor or managed a team of freelance engineers, you’ll know the chaos that comes with trying to keep everyone in sync.
A shift gets swapped.
Someone calls in sick.
A last-minute job needs cover.
And suddenly you’re knee-deep in messages, calls, and spreadsheets – just to figure out who’s actually working today.
The Contractor Conundrum
The aviation industry depends heavily on contractors – especially in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), as well as ground support and aircraft servicing. These flexible teams keep operations moving, fill skill gaps, and allow companies to scale up and down as demand changes.
But that same flexibility creates one of the biggest operational headaches: scheduling.
Contractors often don’t have direct access to the roster or system. Their availability lives in WhatsApp threads, emails, or someone’s memory. When shifts change, communication breaks down – and no one knows until it’s too late.
The result? Missed callouts, duplicated work, and frustrated people on both sides.
Visibility, Access, and Control
One of the biggest insights we’ve heard from aviation teams in our recent white paper research is that contractors simply want visibility.
They don’t need to control the whole roster – just to see what’s happening, when they’re needed, and where they fit into the wider operation.
That’s why we designed MyShiftManager to make shift planning more open and transparent. Contractors can see their schedules live, update their availability, and even claim open shifts – all without the endless back-and-forth.
As one of our users put it:
“No more texts at 6am asking for the rota.”
Real-Time Updates, Real Results
For managers, it’s about more than just convenience. Live scheduling cuts down admin time, reduces errors, and helps ensure regulatory compliance – especially where minimum rest periods or certification requirements apply.
For contractors, it’s about trust. They can plan their work, know what’s coming next, and feel part of the wider team – not just an afterthought.
And for the organisation, it means one less operational fire to fight.
A Smarter Way to Work
Aviation is built on precision and timing – yet too often, the people behind the scenes are stuck with systems that create uncertainty.
Giving contractors access to clear, live scheduling isn’t just a tech upgrade. It’s a mindset shift: empowering everyone involved in aviation operations with the clarity they need to do their job well.
We’re continuing to explore these challenges as part of our work with aviation teams and contractors. If you’d like to see how MyShiftManager can make your scheduling simpler and smarter, we’d love to show you the contractor view in action.
