News and resources for airport employees.
News and resources for airport employees.
Amber Olopuy (left) and Annette Hall (right)
Amber and Annette Have a Vision for Great Customer Service
A traveler wrote in to praise the caring service she received from Amber Olopuy and Annette Hall with Dollar Car Rental:
"I ended up returning my vehicle much earlier than expected because my husband was in a terrible car accident and I needed to get home. When I got to Dollar Car Rental, I was still in shock from the news and began literally blubbering to the return agent, Annette. She listened to me, calmed me down and even located a luggage cart for me to use.
After getting to the airline counter, I received a call from Dollar telling me they found my prescription glasses left behind in my rental car. When I ran back to the return area to get my glasses, I got lost and ended up at the Dollar rental counter instead. Amber walked me out to where I returned my car to get the glasses. The care both Annette and Amber showed me was way above and beyond and incredibly compassionate!"
When you see a customer who's frazzled or frustrated, you won't always know the circumstances. As Annette and Amber demonstrated, taking a moment to assist with a calm demeanor and empathetic approach can make a huge difference when someone is having a difficult experience.
Amber and Annette were winners at the PDX People Customer Service Awards, where we recognize airport employees who truly stand out as extraordinary. Missed the last virtual awards ceremony? View the event recording or read about past winners.
You can also nominate an employee who embodies the PDX People values and serves as a shining example of great customer service – submit a nomination now.
Nominate a PDX Employee
Collage of PDX People smiling, holding PDX People swag and celebrating at various employee events.
September 13 - 18: A Week to Celebrate YOU!
Are you ready for a week of swag, treats and giveaways?
Our annual PDX People employee appreciation celebration kicks off on Monday, Sept. 13 and – no matter where you work at the airport – there’s sure to be an event happening near you. Plus, we’ll have free food and exclusive PDX People gear just for you! 
Want more? Be on the lookout for our Ambassadors of Fun, ready to surprise you with goodies and prizes all week long.
Monday, Sept. 13
Aybla Grill serves up a complimentary “employees only” lunch
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: South end of upper outer roadway by valet
Tuesday, Sept. 14
Enjoy a free Tillamook ice cream sandwich
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Employee shuttle bus stop on lower roadway
Thursday, Sept. 16
Grab a delicious Tillamook yogurt on the go
Time: 3 to 5 a.m.
Location: Employee shuttle bus stop on lower roadway
Friday, Sept. 17
Café de Crepe food cart will whip you up a delicious breakfast
Time: 7 to 9 a.m.
Location: On the airfield near Gate D8
Blue-toned American flag background, text reading
Remembering September 11
This Saturday is the 20th anniversary of September 11 — a day that endures in our memories and one that fundamentally changed the travel industry as the catalyst for the formation of the Department of Homeland Security.
In commemoration, the TSA, Port Police and Portland Airport Fire & Rescue will hold a public ceremony at the south end of the upper outer roadway starting at 7a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11. There will also be an airport-wide moment of silence at 5:46am. 
Thank you for taking the time to remember the lives lost and lives changed on this day, 20 years ago.
Question mark in a speech bubble on a yellow background.
You Asked, We Answered:
New Bypass Connector? 
Q: "I've heard that a new detour may change the route to Concourse D after you get through the D/E checkpoint?"
A: That’s true. Starting Tuesday, Sept. 14, in order to get to Concourse D, you'll turn right instead of left after you get through the D/E checkpoint. You'll then enter a bypass connector that takes you safely around the main terminal construction. While the route may be a few minutes longer, it will take you past dozens of delightful new illustrations from artist Vee Chenting Qian. Keep reading for a few more details on the new bypass connector or get the full scoop in the September What's New with PDX Next update.
Have a PDX Next question? Send it to hello@pdxnext.com – the most asked questions will be answered in a future issue.
Top: graphic of the current main terminal with the footprint of the new one overlayed and showing the new bypass connectors along the sides, in red. Bottom: A look inside of the north bypass under construction. The floor is partially covered in carpet, partially bare concrete. You can see the airfield out of the window.
Top: Placement of the bypasses
Bottom: A sneak peek inside the north bypass
What's New with PDX Next: September Update, North Bypass Connector and Concourse C Construction
The September What's New with PDX Next update is out now! Read it to get the full scoop on the north bypass connector, learn more about the latest concessions updates, watch the recording of the recent What's New with PDX Next forum and so much more. 
North Bypass Connector: When the north bypass connector opens on Tuesday, Sept. 14, some important things will remain the same – namely, access to restrooms and concessions – but there will be a few changes.
As noted in the Q&A above, to get to Concourse D, you’ll now turn right after going through the D/E checkpoint. PDX red badge holders can still use the alternate access doors.
While there will be signage and barriers in place, there’s nothing as helpful to bewildered travelers as a kind and knowledgeable PDX employee. If you see a puzzled passenger, please take a moment to stop and help. If you work pre-security, giving passengers flying out of Concourse D a heads up before they go through the checkpoint is a great way to minimize confusion. You can also advise travelers with mobility issues to contact their airlines for wheelchair service if needed.
Concourse C Construction: Starting next week, new pile driving activity in the alley will cause some noise and shaking. You'll hear and feel the greatest impacts by the former Sound Balance space on Concourse C.  
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.
Concourse E, the new Bambuza space is on the left and the open Calliope store on the right.
Arriving Soon: Concessions Bring Drinks, Donuts, Dolmades and More!
You may have noticed some recent concessions departures: Kiehl’s on Concourse C and Peet’s Coffee on Concourse D. But there’s good news ahead – we’ve got the scoop on several new and returning concessions to look forward to in the coming months.
From Blue Star and Bambuza on Concourse E to the Aybla Grill food truck out on the roadway, find out what you can look forward to in the coming months beyond sweater weather and autumn leaves!
Portrait of artist Perez Westbrooks in front of his mural.
Meet 3 Artists Bringing PNW-Inspired Work to PDX 
Fresh art is coming to PDX this fall. And much like the recently unveiled designs for the main terminal, the artists behind the new works are taking inspiration from a wide range of natural phenomena. Perez Westbrooks, Ben Butler and DeWitt Godfrey are each masters in their own right, and their new works are part of the continued growth of the PDX Art Program, which welcomes rising and acclaimed names to create work for gallery-like displays and unconventional installations throughout our concourses and common spaces. In this article, we go behind the scenes with the three artists to get to know who they are and what they have in the works.
Graphic reading
Kindness to All: Celebrating Oregon's Frontline Workers
As businesses adapt to evolving mandates and safety precautions related to COVID-19, frontline workers continue to show up and work under difficult circumstances, often while facing resistance to mask mandates and other health and safety rules. For this article, the team at Travel Oregon talked to six business members of our community to hear how they’ve been managing. 

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