A Vision of Resilience: Finding Strength on the Ramp

✨ “Out on the ramp, I found something I could control when so much else felt uncontrollable. SkyWest wasn’t just my workplace; it became my family, my focus, and my lifeline through breast cancer.”

-Christin

When most people think about working as a ramp agent, they picture long hours, heavy equipment, and the physical demands of guiding aircraft in all weather conditions. For me, though, being a ramp agent at SkyWest Airlines and the SBP team became something much more profound. It became a lifeline.

In June of 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My world suddenly shifted. Doctors, treatments, uncertainty, and fear filled my days. What had once felt secure became fragile, and what lay ahead felt impossible to predict. Even in the middle of that storm, I made a conscious decision: I would focus on what I could control.

That’s where my work at SkyWest came in.

The ramp is demanding. Every task requires focus and precision. From moving aircraft to loading baggage and supporting my team, there’s no room for distraction. Out on the tarmac, cancer couldn’t consume me. Instead, I was grounded in the present moment, channeling my energy into the task at hand. Each shift gave me a sense of purpose, a reminder that I was capable of showing up strong, no matter what was happening behind the scenes.

My colleagues became more than coworkers; they became family. In a season when I faced some of the most difficult challenges of my life, SkyWest was there for me. The encouragement, teamwork, and unspoken support I felt each day fueled me with hope.

My work family!

Eventually, I had to take a leave of absence to prioritize my health and treatment. Even in that time away, I carried with me the lessons I had learned on the ramp: focus on what matters, keep moving forward, and find strength in the small victories.

Now, almost on the other side of my cancer journey, I look back and see the role resilience and positive mental attitude played in my recovery. I know those qualities, sharpened on the job and tested in my personal life, were essential in helping me heal. As I prepare to return to work, I feel stronger than before, ready to rejoin my team with a renewed sense of purpose.

Breast cancer was a chapter in my life, but it does not define me. What defines me is how I chose to face it: with resilience, courage, and the determination to keep showing up. For me, SkyWest was more than an employer; it was a reminder that even in life’s most difficult seasons, strength is found when you focus on what you can control and lean on the people who believe in you.

Resilience matters. Facing breast cancer or divorce both test your strength, focus, and mindset. How you show up, stay grounded, and focus on what you can control makes all the difference. Your courage today shapes the life you’ll thrive in tomorrow.