News and resources for airport employees.
News and resources for airport employees.
Watch the PDX People Customer Service Awards Tomorrow at Noon
To recognize airport employees who truly stand out as extraordinary, we'll hold the next PDX People Customer Service Awards on Tuesday, Oct. 25. The winners in each category – along with their managers and members of our volunteer working committee – will be invited to attend the event in person while it's live-streamed on Facebook. To watch, head to the PDX Facebook page tomorrow at noon.
In celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month, we'll welcome several guest speakers who will address the needs of older adults from an employment perspective.
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
In celebration of last quarter's amazing customer service stories, we're giving some extra applause to our previous nominees:
Harvey Alexander (Enterprise Rent-A-Car) was nominated by his manager: "Harvey's performance is a testament to his quality as an individual and leader."
Raina Babcock (ABM) provided incredible service to a passenger with a lost item. She went above and beyond to help locate the possessions and reunite them with their owner.
Echo Albright Bolkovatz (ABM) and Jordan Mancuso Curameng (PBP) worked together to get bags onto carts and move them to the far end while several belts were down. 
Shianne Bunton (Paradies Lagardere) earned these nice words: “Shianne was friendly, helpful and cheerful. Thank you!”
Mary Esquivel (Southwest Airlines) was nominated by a co-worker: "When she isn't offering her amazing smile and inquisitive spirit at Southwest, you can find her playing drums in at least three punk bands. Mary is the embodiment of what I love about PDX: friends!”
Rema Gossman (Port of Portland Police) earned these kudos: “Officer Gossman was very friendly and knowledgeable. Please keep up the great work.”
Iniki Johnson (Horizon Airlines) takes care of her passengers with genuine compassion. Her nomination noted: "Her positive attitude is contagious and she's a pleasure to work around."
Juanita Jones (ABM) received a note of praise: “Juanita conveys confidence, is eager to help and provided excellent customer service – the kind that can be hard to find.”
Stephannie Lewis (Travel Oregon) and Martin McLain (Port of Portland Volunteer) worked together to help an elderly, stranded passenger. Because of their generosity and teamwork, the passenger made his way home safely.
Tina Lewis (Port of Portland Volunteer) provided amazing customer service to a vulnerable passenger and earned a letter of commendation: “She was so kind and caring that I felt blessed to have found her."
James Lloyd Knox (TSA) provided compassionate, respectful service when a young traveler accidentally created an alert at the checkpoint.
Jan Mayangitan (TSA) received this compliment: “I fly often, and Jan has great customer service skills and a happy disposition. He should be commended and promoted!”
Maria Curiel Morelos (Tillamook) creates an environment that is inclusive to all: "She goes out of her way to make new hires feel welcome, teach them and set expectations. She is a true leader and demonstrates PDX People values daily."
John Moyer (Tillamook) is a compassionate leader of the Tillamook Market: "Every week, he makes time for each colleague to provide them feedback. He values differences in each colleague and allows those personalities to shine through in a fun and respectful work environment."
Kyle Robison (Huntleigh USA) was sent this note: “He was so helpful when he saw that my daughter was struggling, and he helped her with the large suitcase. He was exceptionally kind and patient.”
Dave Stanton (Port of Portland) researched the manufacturer of the earplugs provided in the ticket lobby for an interested passenger.
John Michael Taitano (United Airlines) goes above and beyond for all PDX customers: "I have witnessed him help fellow PDX People in other areas – he is a welcome addition to the PDX United team."
Gabrielle Tzantarmas (Capers Café) earned these kind words: “She made us feel like we were the only ones in the restaurant, even though there was a constant stream of other patrons. She is exceptional!”
Kody Youmans (Hudson News) received this compliment: “Kody was a delight. He was respectful and polite when I asked questions. Stellar guy.”
PDX Next Updates:
Crane Picks and Bag Carousel Closures
There's a short break while we prepare to move the next roof sections. Part of that process includes driving the Self-Propelled Mobile Transport to the build yard to be reconfigured before the next move. You might remember the SPMT from the Concourse Connector move – it’s the specialized device that transports the enormous roof sections, driven by a single operator carrying a large remote control (see photo).  
Crane PicksThere are two upcoming crane picks on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and Thursday, Oct. 27, from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. When cranes move equipment to the roof, areas below are blocked off for safety. On Tuesday, the pick will close bag carousels 7 and 8, and the ticket lobby area above those carousels will be blocked off as well. On Thursday, the pick will close bag carousels 4 and 5, the ticket lobby areas above and the elevators on the south end of the ticket lobby. Keep in mind the crane picks are weather dependent, so these dates could shift. 
Bag CarouselsOn Monday, Oct. 24, through Wednesday, Oct. 26, bag carousel 7 will close from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. This work was delayed from last week due to air quality issues.
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.
PDX Honored with Airports Going Green Awards
The Airports Going Green awards program brings together aviation leaders and innovators, providing national and international airport and airline perspectives on sustainability, and awards go to projects, programs and individuals who demonstrate leadership in sustainability within the aviation industry. PDX took home two awards in the Outstanding Sustainability Infrastructure Development category – one for PDX Next generally and one for the Concourse E Extension specifically.
Icelandair Extends Seasonal Service from PDX
In case you missed it, to meet growing demand, Icelandair extended summer seasonal flights from PDX to Reykjavik into January 2023. Travelers can now fly nonstop to the land of fire and ice during Northern Lights season, with connections to destinations in Europe. The extended PDX season adds four flights a week from Nov. 1, 2022, through Jan. 7, 2023. Flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Help Us Make PDX People Appreciation Week Even Better
Our annual PDX People appreciation week is how we show our thanks for the employees who make PDX one of America’s Best Airports. That means the food, swag and activities should reflect what you want to see. Take this quick five-question survey to help us continue to improve our airport employee events.
Take the Survey
Be Respectful:
Keep Emergency Stairwells Clear
Being respectful is a PDX People core value, and that includes your actions toward travelers, other airport workers and even shared spaces.
With that in mind, keeping emergency stairwells clear of debris and any obstructions – including furniture and people lying down in the area – is all part of maintaining a clean and safe airport environment. Additionally, following these guidelines upholds both state, federal and PDX regulations.
Fire Code: Emergency stairwells and doorways must remain free of obstructions, debris and be passable at all times. In case of emergency, first responders, passengers and employees need to be able to use the stairs as intended, safely and quickly.
TSA Rules: TSA requirements are clear – items can’t be left unattended in the airport. This includes leaving items in stairwells or any other areas at PDX.
PDX Rules: Appropriate disposal of trash is outlined in the PDX rules that you agree to as an employee: “Temporary storage, abandonment or disposal of waste in places other than the designated bins anywhere on Port property is not permitted.”
To comply with these rules and keep these areas clean and accessible, employees are not allowed to use the stairwells as break areas. Furniture should not be brought into these areas, and no one should lie down or sleep on the stairs or landings. Eating and drinking should happen only in employer-provided breakrooms or the PDX food courts – just remember to toss your trash.
Stay Safe When Smoke Levels are High
While the smoke may have dissipated, it’s still a good time for tips on how to protect yourself when air quality is poor. Stay inside if possible and keep windows and doors closed; avoid strenuous outdoor activity and use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. When air quality improves to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out your home. As a reminder, cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke, though N95 or P100 respirators may offer protection when properly selected and worn. [On a related note, Oct. 9-15 was Fire Prevention Week, and it's never too late to make a plan, practice and be prepared.]
Spread the Word: PDX Call for Artists
Do you know any local or national artists who specialize in glass? Have friends or family who do? If so, help us spread the word about a Request for Qualifications for glass art walls for the new main terminal. In partnership with the Regional Arts and Culture Council, we want to commission distinctive, site specific, original public artwork for PDX. While this RFQ is specifically for art glass walls, there will be many other permanent artwork opportunities announced over the next several months. Each piece of work should reflect the essence of the region and create the memorable experience that passengers expect from our airport. Take a moment to learn more about the application process and upcoming information sessions before the Wednesday, Nov. 16, deadline.
PDX in Pictures
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Alaska Airlines and the Port of Portland Police teamed up with the PDX People program to celebrate and provide information on this important topic. Airport employees played games to win pink breast cancer awareness swag and learned about breast cancer screenings that will take place at the airport when OHSU’s mobile mammography bus visits PDX on Wednesday, Nov. 2, and Thursday, Nov. 10.
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