News and resources for airport employees.
News and resources for airport employees.
Doreen Champaco (left) and Jonathan Peltz (right)
Doreen Champaco (left) and Jonathan Peltz (right)
Doreen Champaco and Jonathan Peltz Find Teamwork is the Answer to Problem Solving
Doreen Champaco (she/her) with the Port of Portland, and Jonathan Peltz (he/him) with AGI, were nominated by Victoria, a PDX traveler:
"My son lost his wallet on an Icelandair flight landing in PDX. I called PDX Lost and Found the next morning and learned it wasn’t there. After some frantic searching, I called Lost and Found again a few days later and spoke with Doreen. She then contacted Jonathan at AGI/Icelandair to help look for the wallet.
Jonathan must be a great co-worker to make another PDX employee feel comfortable asking him to do a stretch from his usual job description. Even as a manager, he still went to look for the wallet himself. He took my phone number from Doreen and called me back to arrange a weekend pick-up. He had the wallet ready at the check-in desk and appraised other employees of the pick-up to make it as smooth as possible. 
It is so wonderful that he went the extra mile to help reunite my son with his wallet. So much gratitude and thanks to both of them. Please sing their praises!"
Want to learn more about PDX People recognition? Check out the recognition programs and 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
What's New with PDX Next: South Escalator Closures, Concourse E Detour, and April Forum
South Escalator Closures: Starting Monday, April 14, through Thursday, April 17, crews will be doing carpet demolition and terrazzo installation near the south escalators in the ticket lobby. During this work, there may be elevated noise levels and possible vibrations from carpet removal. Additionally, the south escalator cores will be closed all day on Monday, April 14, through Wednesday, April 16. They will be open during the day on Thursday, April 17, but closed from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following day.
Concourse E Detour: Reminder that for evening travelers arriving at Concourse E gates, there will be a temporary detour through Friday, May 2, on weeknights from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. There may be work on Saturdays if there are delays due to weather on weeknights. Need a refresh on the impacts? Here’s what you should know. 
April Forum: Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 29, to get the inside scoop on Phase 2 of construction at PDX. The Port of Portland's Jen Guild, along with Joe Brower of Hoffman-Skanska, will share the latest construction updates and answer your questions about PDX Next in just 30 minutes. If you'd like to join this meeting, email PDX People Communications for the link before Monday, April 28. 
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. 
Bluetooth Beacons Help Improve Accessibility at PDX
Can you spot the Bluetooth beacons at PDX? Though they may be small, together the 146 beacons make a big impact when it comes to continuously improving accessibility at the airport. Installed in March, the beacons are located near every airline gate, entrances to the terminal, elevators and escalators, and are currently used by our wheelchair service operators. The technology helps dispatchers know where their staff are at any given moment, so they can quickly send a wheelchair for a traveler in need. In exciting news, the new beacon network is open source, meaning that other software providers and companies will be able to leverage the technology going forward. While supporting and improving the level of service for our wheelchair providers was the initial use case, in the future, it could be used to improve janitorial service in the terminal or make airline apps more useful for travelers.
PDX 2045 Adds Online Open House
Did you miss the PDX 2045 open house on March 19? If so, there’s another chance to weigh in on the collaborative plan for how the airport will grow over the next 20 years...and you don't even need to leave the house. Between now and Friday, April 25, you can participate in an online open house and community survey. You can also attend a Zoom Q&A session next Wednesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. And if you can’t make these dates – don’t worry! There will be more open houses happening throughout 2025 and early 2026. The community input we gather is critical to ensuring PDX accommodates growth in a way that benefits the people who live and work here – please spread the word as these opportunities pop up!
KGW: What to Know About REAL ID’s May 7 Deadline
As of March 31, only 35.7% of Oregonians who have a license or ID card have been issued a REAL ID. If you're among the remaining 64.3%, the deadline to have your license or state-level ID be REAL ID compliant is Wednesday, May 7…or plan to travel with another compliant ID type, like a passport. At a recent news conference at PDX, Kathleen McDonald, the Transportation Security Administration's federal security director for Oregon, explained that – for now – travelers will still be permitted to fly without a REAL ID after the deadline, but those who use a non-compliant ID can expect delays at security checkpoints. Amy Joyce, the administrator of Oregon's DMV, said they're seeing a record number of customers and higher than average wait times, so you should plan to book an appointment in advance. For more on what you need to know, check out the Oregon or Washington REAL ID websites.
PDX Parent: Immersed in Art
PDX Parent magazine recently highlighted a variety of public artworks around Portland that families can enjoy together. Among them is Between, a permanent installation by Yoonhee Choi right here at PDX. This whimsical piece features calming colors and abstract shapes in laminated glass, designed to ease traveler stress and reflect the diverse stories of those passing through the airport. While Between is located past security, a temporary exhibit showcasing Choi’s creative process is open to all visitors in the pre-security mezzanine gallery.
A few of the folks that keep the ACC running:
Left, top to bottom: Jeff Yates, Michelle Whitfield and Charla Krahel
Right, top to bottom: Gibson Coy and Vanessa Linn
PDX in Pictures
We recently celebrated Airport Communications Center (ACC) Appreciation Week! Have you called the communications center to report an incident? Requested a maintenance dispatch? Dialed the paging and information team to send a page or help answer a question? Then you know that the ACC team is the heart of PDX. Their dedication ensures the safety, security, and smooth operation of the airport. We’re deeply grateful for their phenomenal service!
And an additional round of applause to the winners of the ACC appreciation week awards:
Melissa Beal, Employee of the Year: Melissa has been a standout since day one, delivering consistent, high-quality work with quiet dedication and professionalism.
Greg Goodwin, Trainer of the Year: Greg was an outstanding trainer throughout the year, he also voluntarily changed shifts to assist in training.
Noah Juarez, "Be Kind and Make Good Choices" Award: Noah says this every time someone leaves the room. It just feels right that he gets the inaugural award! He is genuine and kind to everyone.
Vanessa Linn, Outstanding Customer Service: Vanessa is always polite and empathetic with callers. She is knowledgeable and either answers their question or directs them to the appropriate work group.
Brian Padian, Rookie of the Year: When Brian joined the maintenance operations center, he quickly hit the ground running with his expertise and knowledge, not to mention wonderful customer service.
Karen Soules, Greatest Impact: Karen is the driving force behind the ECC Training Program, having built it from the ground up and continuously evolving it to meet the needs of the center and its people. Through her vision, dedication, and unmatched commitment to training and development, she has shaped both the structure of the program and the growth of nearly every employee who’s come through it.
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