The first planes pull in at midnight. Because of planes coming from four time zones, arrivals and departures are staggered here. West Coast planes are last in and last out. Planes come in on one main runway. Alliance Airport does have an enlarged parallel taxiway it can use as a second runway, but it's too close for simultaneous landings.
Aircraft pull up to the main sorting building.
With plane engines running, it's necessary to shout and workers wear hearing protection. It's not just engine noise. Motorized tugs whir across the tarmac and drivers frequently honk their horns to make their way around. Hydraulic lifts whine in the night as they raise and lower the aluminum-frame cargo containers holding the packages. The nearest homes are five miles away.