Every first Monday of the month is the same ritual. Samir*, ascensorist at Schindler, spent his day at the Pfaffenthal elevator, the book put into service in July 2016 which allows the High uptop to the Alzette Valley in barely thirty valley. The technician controls the main parts of the mechanism and replaces them if necessary, with the help of a colleague (doors, guide rollerblades, brakes, pulleys, cables, etc.). He also performs current maintenance operations (hydraulic drain, greased, inspection of the emergency nacelle …).
If the elevator has experienced a break -in period marked by a few breakdowns, it seems today to have found its cruise rate. Over the past twelve months, the number of repairs has dropped by almost 35%, according to figures communicated by Schindler. “It is very nice to work in this place which is a” window of Luxembourg “, explains Samir to Essential. Visitors who come a maintenance day are also very disappointed when they understand that they will not be able to use it! ”
It must be said that in the space of almost nine years, the elevator of the Pfaffenthal – one of the only ones in Europe to operate in wifi – has become an essential step for tourists and a way to move quickly (and free) for cyclists, pedestrians and people with reduced mobility who want to rally the High City. Each month, it is around 30,000 races and has already traveled the equivalent of some 200,000 km since its commissioning. The city spends tens of thousands of euros per year for its maintenance.
That day, Samir and his colleague Nouredine* – who takes care of the elevators of the EU Court of Justice – gave us a guided tour, emphasizing the pride of the job well done and the desire to never disappoint customers. Both say they regret the absence of a real training as an elevator in the Grand Duchy. “It is a difficult physical job. We have back pain, knees, but we are happy with what we do! It is passion that guides us ”.