Building a Career in Construction: Behind the Scenes with Cory VanLoo
The Hidden World Behind Airport Baggage Systems
When you hand your suitcase to the airline, you probably don’t give it another thought. Within minutes, that bag begins a journey through a sophisticated network of conveyors, scanners, diverters, controls, and miles of track—all designed to ensure it reaches the correct aircraft before takeoff. It’s a system most travelers never see, yet thousands of people rely on it every day.
Keeping those systems operating safely and reliably takes an experienced team working behind the scenes.For Morcon Superintendent Cory VanLoo, that’s exactly what makes the work so rewarding.“No one gets to see it, but because of my team and me, passengers get their bags to and from the planes.”
Building More than Machinery
Cory has spent more than 12 years in construction, including the last five years specializing in baggage handling systems. His path began as a millwright—a trade focused on installing, maintaining, and moving heavy machinery with precision. “I’ve always liked working on and building things,” Cory says. “Being a millwright lets you work on equipment that requires precision, and sometimes you’re moving and installing some really large pieces of machinery.”
Today, as a superintendent, he combines that technical background with planning, coordination, and leadership to help safely execute work in one of the most operationally sensitive environments in construction.
Working While the Airport Never Stops
Unlike many construction projects, airport baggage systems rarely shut down. Much of the work happens overnight during carefully planned shutdown windows. Every task must be coordinated in advance—from staging materials and verifying equipment to testing systems before they’re returned to service. There is little room for error because flights must continue operating on schedule.
One of the most challenging projects Cory has worked on involved a multi-day shutdown of the airport’s west Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS), requiring around-the-clock work to complete critical modifications before operations resumed.
Projects like these demand detailed planning, clear communication, and teamwork.
Never Stop Learning
Ask Cory what advice he’d give someone considering a career as a millwright, and his answer is simple: “Pay attention to everything you’re learning. You’ll never stop learning throughout your career.” It’s advice he carries into his role as superintendent as well.
Organization, preparation, and treating people with respect are just as important as technical knowledge. Successful projects depend on teams working together toward the same goal.
More than a Job
One of the things Cory appreciates most about Morcon is the opportunity to continue to grow and develop. “I enjoy all the different types of projects I’m a part of. They’ve allowed me to branch out beyond the millwright work I’ve done throughout my career.”
Outside of work, you’ll find Cory smoking meat for friends and coworkers, exploring Minnesota with his wife and their dogs, hiking, snowmobiling, riding ATVs, or enjoying concerts and community events. It’s that same sense of teamwork, comradery and pride in craftsmanship that he brings to every project.
While passengers may never see the people behind the baggage handling systems that keep airports moving, their work makes every trip possible. At Morcon, we’re proud to have people like Cory leading that effort every day.
