News and resources for airport employees.
News and resources for airport employees.
Laura D'Onofrio - TSA headshot in front of an American flag.
Laura D'Onofrio Secures a Fantastic Passenger Experience
A passenger sent in this letter about their experience with TSA agent Laura D’Onofrio (she/her) at the checkpoint: 
“One of your employees went way above and beyond for us – her name is Laura.
My medically fragile, 90-year-old father was just discharged from the hospital, and we needed to catch a flight to Salt Lake City. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we were short on time, and I needed to get my dad some dinner.
I found a wheelchair and pushed my dad to the checkpoint, at which point he set off an alarm due to some substance that he had picked up from the hospital. Laura saw the look on my face and immediately came over to help. She got us through the checkpoint and then took over the wheelchair driving. She brought us to an all-user restroom and showed us where to get water.
When I burst into tears from all the frustration and anxiety of the day, she gave me a hug. Finally, she took us to the gate and made sure we were comfortable and seated together. Laura was so kind and compassionate, and turned a stressful experience into one that I will remember with fondness. Laura is an extremely excellent employee and reflects very positively on TSA.”
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
Aerial view of complete roof at the build yard.
What's New with PDX Next: Roof Cassette Transport, Restroom Closure, August Forum
Roof Cassette Transport: With Y column installation complete, we can move on to the next step: bringing the roof cassettes over to PDX and sliding them into place. The first cassette moved across the airfield last Thursday night.
As you can imagine, transporting the roof pieces is no small task and it means that there will be temporary closures and reroutes during the moves. We shared some tips last week on how to stay knowledgeable on the changes and how you can help travelers – read the full scoop in the PDX Next update.
Expect impacts between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. tonight and tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 30), including the temporary relocation of the Southwest ticket counter to the Hawaiian ticket counter location. Additionally, bag road will have some closures and re-routes.
Many teams are working hard to ensure there’s signage, extra staff and contingency plans to help with any potential disruptions. This work will continue through October, so keep an eye on this newsletter, the PDX People website and digital signage for the most up-to-date information.
Restroom Closure: The women’s restroom by CBRA will be closed today through Tuesday, Sept. 9. The closest alternative restrooms are pre-security in baggage claim.
August Forum: Want the inside scoop on construction at PDX? Jen Reynolds with the Port of Portland along with Pat Bifone and Caitlin Powell of Hoffman-Skanska will share the latest construction updates and answer your questions about PDX Next in just 30 minutes. The next update is set for Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 10:30 a.m.
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.
Be Knowledgeable:
How to Report Incidents and Emergencies
Keeping an eye on your surroundings and maintaining a safe environment are part of your job when you work at an airport. But when there’s an incident or emergency situation, do you know who to call?
Keep these tips in mind to ensure you act quickly and efficiently when reporting:  
  • In emergencies, call the Communications Center at 503.460.4000. This number is on your badge. You can also dial 9 on a white courtesy phone, located throughout PDX. Read about what to expect when you call in an emergency.
  • For incidents that are not currently in progress – such as theft or vandalism – you can fill out a report online.
  • If it’s not an emergency or if you’re not sure if you should fill out the online form, you can call the non-emergency Communications Center at 503.460.4747.
  • The Communications Center folks are always ready to help. Don’t hesitate to call! They able to triage your report and send appropriate resources if needed.
Questions about the process? Email Concessions Operations. Thanks for being part of keeping PDX a safe and secure place to work and visit. 
Icelandair plane at PDX.
Icelandair Extends Seasonal Service from PDX
To meet growing demand, Icelandair announced an extension of summer seasonal flights from PDX to Reykjavik into January 2023. Travelers will now be able to fly nonstop to the land of fire and ice during Northern Lights season, with connections to destinations in Europe. The extended PDX season will add four flights a week from Nov. 1, 2022, through Jan. 7, 2023. Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
PDX People Have Fun Finding FOD
More than a dozen PDX People teamed up for the morning session of our recent FOD (Foreign Object Debris) walk and – in less than an hour – they picked up more than 115 pounds of trash. The winning team bested their compatriots by a slim margin of just ounces, but ultimately the biggest winner was PDX, now with a cleaner, safer airfield. Thanks to everyone who signed up and to the Port of Portland staff who organized and led the efforts. Want to be a part of the fun next time? Watch this space for the next opportunity!

PDX in Pictures
In partnership with the Port of Portland's Asian Pacific Islander employee resource group, we recently celebrated National Hawaiian Shirt Day at PDX. Folks showed off their tropical spirit in their favorite Hawaiian shirts and accessories. We think everyone looked great, but the PDX People at Hawaiian Airlines had a definite advantage!
National Hawaiian Shirt Day is observed annually on the third Friday of August. This coincides with the Hawaiian state holiday, Statehood or Admissions Day, commemorating the day Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States (Friday, Aug. 21, 1959).
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