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Justin Villegas Dials In Top Notch Customer Service
Justin Villegas with TSA was nominated by a PDX traveler.
"My wife was missing her phone and was traveling out of the country. She only realized her phone was missing after she had passed through TSA. She asked many people for help but was unable to get assistance until Justin showed up.
He stepped forward, took charge of the situation, and showed kindness and leadership by example. He let her make a call, informed me of the situation, told me where to park, who to talk to, and directed my wife where to wait during the retrieval of her property. All this while demonstrating competence, leadership, kindness, generosity, and situational awareness. Justin showed humility when we asked him to file a compliment on his behalf, saying it was unnecessary."
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What's New with PDX Next: Bypass Closures, Ticket Island 3, and Baggage Claim Reminder
Bypass Closures: Starting Tuesday, Jan. 6, the B/C bypass will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. while crews conduct crane work above Concourse B. During these hours, an alternate exit route will be in place. The exit route will be open to all; however, entry into Concourse B via this route will be limited to Alaska/Horizon, Bags, Inc., and emergency responders.
On Thursday, Jan. 8, and Friday, Jan. 9, from 11:59 p.m. to 3 a.m., crews will use cranes to place materials on the roof. During this time, the north pedestrian bypass will be closed, and the Concourse E alternate exit route will be in use. This route is exit only and access to Concourse E is through Door E12002.
Ticket Island 3: Now through April, ticket island three will be closed while Alaska bag drop units are installed. During this time, airlines that use island 3 will move to other locations. For real-time ticket counter placements, check out the aisle signs – the big screen lists the airlines located in that aisle and, below that, a ticketing directory lists the aisles for all other airlines.
Baggage Claim Door Closure: As a reminder, part of the north baggage claim area will be a construction zone through mid-summer 2026, which means Door T1861 won’t be accessible for getting to the secured area from baggage claim. Instead, you can use the south door or central door in baggage claim, or the bypass doors on the ticketing level. For alternative access points and routes, see a full-size map.
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.
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Be Knowledgeable: Sunflower Lanyards, Making the Invisible Visible
Have you noticed passengers wearing a green lanyard with yellow sunflowers and wondered what it means?
These lanyards are part of the Sunflower Program at PDX. Their purpose is simple and significant. They signal that the wearer, or someone traveling with them, has a hidden disability such as autism, PTSD, and dementia, and may benefit from a little extra time, patience, or support. The green sunflower lanyards themselves are intended for individuals with invisible disabilities, including airport employees.
Want to show your support and indicate you're aware of the program? Both a white "Proud to Support" lanyard and an enamel pin are available at the Travel Oregon Welcome Center in baggage claim.
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Save Lives, Give Blood, Win Super Bowl Tickets!
Interested in the chance to win a trip for two to the Super Bowl? Want to take home a $5 Starbucks gift card?
All you need to do is sign up for the Delta + United blood drive on Tuesday, Jan. 13, happening pre-security on the mezzanine level at PDX. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets, and your blood donation helps to ensure there's enough supply for all patients who need it. It costs nothing but your time, and your donation is a gift that can help up to three people. Schedule your appointment now at the link above or call the American Red Cross at 1.800.RED.CROSS.
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Pass the Plates:
The Green Plate Program is Back at PDX
At PDX, we’re always looking for simple changes that make the traveler (and employee!) experience better and a little kinder to the planet. That’s why we brought back the popular Green Plate program, the first reusable dish program at a U.S. airport.
Customers on Concourse C can now step up to Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen & Bar, MOD Pizza, or Mo’s Seafood & Chowder and ask for a plate, bowl, and utensils that get washed and reused instead of tossed. Plus, the program will expand to the entire airport once the main terminal project wraps up and two more dishwashing rooms are added. By summer 2026, thousands of people each day will reuse hundreds of thousands of dishes each year and keep thousands of pounds of single-use items out of landfills.
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Iván Carmona and Dan Friday Bring Sculpture to the North Concourse Connector
A vibrant two-artist exhibition featuring glass sculpture by Dan Friday and ceramic sculpture by Iván Carmona is now on view in the north Concourse Connector. While working in two distinct mediums, both artists bring vivid colors, organic forms, and unique narratives to PDX.
Dan Friday grew up surrounded by rich cultural heritage as a member of the Lummi Nation. He typically works with simple themes and forms, often employing subtle silhouettes when making his iconic totem sculptures. His more narrative pieces are a means of processing a life event, often with an underlying statement.
While growing up in Puerto Rico, Iván Carmona developed a strong visual vocabulary of images that have come to influence his work today. With representations of Spanish colonial architecture, dense colorful vegetation, complex textures and patterns, we see and feel the power of the landscapes of his home.
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Photo credit: Brian Burk, Port of Portland (top) and David Stanton, Port of Portland (bottom)
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| PDX in Pictures
Take a peek behind the walls into the south node work. The space is shaping up, and we can't wait to see it all complete!
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