News and resources for airport employees.
News and resources for airport employees.
Photo of Michelle Jokela with Dollar Rental Car.
Michelle Jokela Turns Great Conversation into Even Better Customer Service
Michelle Jokela (she/her) with Dollar Car Rental was nominated by a PDX traveler:
"From the moment I walked up to the counter, the service provided by Michelle was excellent! She was fast and efficient while engaging me in a conversation about my plans for my visit to Portland and showing a genuine interest. We conversed about where my trip would take me and shared experiences about places we had in common. In that short time, the paperwork was done, the keys and directions to the car were handed to me, and I was on my way. I really appreciate the personal touch she provided to make the transaction so pleasant."
Missed the last virtual awards ceremony? View the event recording or read about past winners on the PDX People website. You can also nominate an employee who embodies the PDX People values and serves as a shining example of great customer service for next quarter – submit a nomination now.
Nominate a PDX Employee
Construction on the new main terminal with video wall in the background.
What's New with PDX Next: Airport Way, Concourse E Egress Route and June Forum
Airport Way: Heads up! Starting today through Wednesday, July 3, there will be periodic, alternate lane closures on NE 82nd Ave. (northbound) and Airport Way (eastbound and westbound, west of 82nd) to replace the dynamic messaging signs. Expect delays as fewer lanes will be open to traffic. There will be limited instances when traffic may be stopped completely for 5-10 minutes at a time.
Concourse E Egress Route: The egress route from Concourse E to the north ticket lobby and north upper roadway will be slightly modified to accommodate construction activities. The current egress route from Concourse E to the north ticket lobby is routed through the former Portland Coffee Roasters location at the north end of the ticket lobby. To accommodate work in this area, the egress route will occasionally be modified to run outside the north ticket lobby and onto the far north end of the upper roadway. These routes will periodically be switched back and forth to accommodate work in both areas and will be clearly marked.
You can also expect intermittent elevated noise levels in the north ticket lobby starting today through Friday, June 21, during the day. Noise levels will be monitored during these activities.
June Forum: Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m. to get the inside scoop on construction at PDX. Jen Reynolds from the Port of Portland along with Pat Bifone and Bri Leiblie of Hoffman-Skanska share the latest construction updates and answer your questions about PDX Next in just 30 minutes. If you'd like to join the meeting, email PDX People Communications before Monday, June 24, for the meeting link.
Looking for more PDX Next information? We're keeping you in the know on what's new on the PDX People website. Have questions or suggestions about construction? Email hello@pdxnext.com or call the construction hotline at 503.460.4339.
Illustration of snake family on background of PDX rendering.
Your Help Needed: PDX Dress Rehearsal
Hey, PDX fans! Want to check out the new main terminal before it opens to the public? We’re hosting a "dress rehearsal" that's open to the community and need your help spreading the word. Get all the details on the event, then go forth and share with friends, family and everyone you know! You're welcome to sign up yourself – this event is open to all – but keep an eye out next week for information on exclusive PDX employee events just for you!
Person stands surrounded by a forest.
Zena Forest Products’ Ben Deumling Grows – and Makes – PDX’s Floors
The local wood at PDX isn’t just over your head: The white oak flooring you’ll walk across in the main terminal comes from Oregon’s largest “forest-to-floor” company. Ben Deumling and his mother, Sarah, own Zena Forest Products, which makes hardwood floors using timber from their own land. For PDX, Ben imported European machinery that no American company has ever used before. Now he’s making oak tiles out of wood from small trees Zena harvests in order to improve the health of the forests that remain.
Rendering of Powell's Books in the new main terminal.
Guess Who's Coming to PDX?
One of the most common questions we get is if Powell's Books will ever return to your favorite local airport. Now we can say YES! Powell’s will open a kiosk in late summer 2024 in the new main terminal, followed by a permanent retail shop set to open in Phase 2 of construction. Bookworms rejoice!
Calendar with a date circled.
Mark Your Calendar for June Events
Did you know there's a calendar of events on the PDX People website? It's the best way to keep track of upcoming learning opportunities and fun events open to all airport employees.
TSA PreCheck Pop-Ups: Want to take a faster path through TSA when you travel? Sign up for TSA PreCheck! Coming to south baggage claim, these pop-up events on Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25, allow you to sign up for PreCheck on the spot. Enrolling at the pop-up will be even faster if you apply online beforehand.
Call to All Walks: Want a sneak peek inside the new main terminal? Join the PDX Operation Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) team for Call to All familiarization walks on Monday June 24, Tuesday, June 25, or Wednesday, June 26. There's no need to register in advance; just stop by on a break or during your work hours (with manager approval) to participate. Check out the calendar listing for details on what to wear – heavy boots are required.
Share Out Sessions: On Wednesday, June 26, stop by an interactive Share Out Session supported by ORAT team members. These events popping up around PDX allow you to ask questions about the opening, learn what’s happening and win prizes.
Juneteenth: Celebrating Progress and Change 
Juneteenth – named by blending the words June and nineteenth – is the commemoration and oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that, "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with the proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free" – two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, the first new national holiday since the creation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
As you learn about the history and importance of Juneteenth, take a moment to reflect on this message from former President Obama: "Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible – and there is still so much work to do."
Collage of photos from the PDX Pride procession.
PDX in Pictures
Did you spot the Pride procession through PDX last Tuesday? This colorful group of PDX People teamed up with the Port Pride employee resource group and the DoveLewis canine therapy team to hand out celebratory swag from the RCC to Concourse C and beyond.
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