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Take a Moment to Recognize a PDX Employee
Do you know a co-worker or fellow PDX employee who goes above and beyond? Acknowledge their outstanding efforts during the first quarter of 2021 (January through March) by nominating them for a customer service award!
The process is simple: Using this form, provide a real-life example of how your nominee delighted a passenger with outstanding service. Including customer compliments is always encouraged! Nominations are due Wednesday, April 7.
Every nominee will receive special appreciation for their efforts and the PDX People working committee will select 10 employees – one from each of our airport industries – to win the exceptional honor of a PDX customer service award.
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To recognize airport employees who truly stand out as extraordinary, the next PDX People Customer Service awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, April 27. The event is held virtually so add it to your Outlook calendar now or bookmark this link to watch it live.
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Meet Cindi Doerr, Alaska Airline's Resident PDX Next-pert
With construction happening right outside the Alaska Lounge window, employees and passengers have a front row view...which prompts a lot of questions. Alaska employee Cindi has gone above and beyond to explain the ongoing work to any curious visitors.
Using all available resources, Cindi studies up on her construction knowledge using the PDX Next updates – posted monthly on the PDX employee website – to prepare herself to answer inquiries from guests.
Cindi's enthusiasm as she answers questions makes guests feel like they're part of what’s happening at the airport. Thanks to her dedication to construction instruction, Alaska even gifted Cindi her very own personalized hard hat to wear as she explains the details of PDX Next projects...in Alaska blue, of course!
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 | The highlighted area shows where work will take place as we expand the main terminall.
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| Main Terminal Soft Demolition Starts Soon
Starting Sunday, April 11, to bring the new main terminal design to life, construction crews will start soft demolition on Clocktower Plaza.
If you haven’t heard of soft demolition before, it’s the technical term for deconstructing a building without removing any major structural components. That means it’s going to be loud in the ticket lobby and in the security lines at PDX for the rest of 2021.
We know it isn’t going to be easy to work in this environment, and we’ll be here to support you through it – including bringing more details your way next week.
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Keeping PDX Moving in a Pandemic: Meet the Unstoppable Women Making History
For Women’s History Month, we’re choosing to challenge a history of writing women’s contributions out of history. This week we're highlighting some of the women who have been working on-site at PDX throughout the pandemic.
We spoke with Salima McRae, Lois Jensen and Karen Soules, who touched on a common theme in their path to their current career: a passion for their chosen field and their love for the sense of community at the PDX.
Read the article to learn more about working as an airport operation specialist, communication center dispatcher and parking control representative during an extraordinary year.
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What's New with PDX Next: Temporary Restroom Closures
The public restrooms on the pre-security side of the B/C checkpoint are closed for the next few months. This is due to anticipated congestion in the area as a result of construction.
The closest pre-security restrooms on the south side are downstairs in baggage claim. The public restrooms by the D/E checkpoint are also open and the restrooms in the food court will remain open until Monday, April 5. Read all the PDX Next updates for March.
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What to Know Before You Get Vaccinated
If you’re now eligible for the vaccine or looking forward to eligibility in the coming weeks, there are a few questions you might have about the process: Will it cost me money? Do I need to provide a social security number? And how long do I need to stick around after they administer the dose? This infographic from the Oregon Health Authority will tell you what you need to know.
Also, we expect most people who work at PDX will be eligible as part of Phase 1B, Group 7, which includes frontline workers and people with underlying conditions aged 16-44. The eligibility date for this group was just moved up to next Monday, April 5, and we’re hopeful the drive-thru vaccination clinic in the PDX Red Lot can help vaccinate thousands in the weeks to come. We'll post information on the PDX People website as more details are available.
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Icelandair Returns to PDX in July
In exciting news, Icelandair just announced their long awaited return to Portland with seasonal flights scheduled on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays from PDX starting Friday, July 2.
Nonstop service to Iceland will operate through October 31, 2021, with convenient connections to many destinations in Europe. All passengers who can verify full vaccination against COVID-19 will be allowed to travel to Iceland without being subject to additional border measures, such as testing and quarantine. Read the press release.
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Women’s History Month: Instagram Takeover with RYAN! Feddersen
Artist RYAN! Feddersen will have some incredible new art on display when Concourse B opens this fall at PDX. An enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and of mixed heritage, RYAN! draws inspiration from the region’s traditions and landscapes for these pieces, which highlight the biological diversity of the Pacific Northwest.
RYAN! is making history at PDX, and she’s taking over the PDX Instagram account to help us close out Women’s History Month. Head to the PDX Instagram (@pdxairport) on Wednesday, March 31, and watch as RYAN! shares more about herself and her work, discusses the meaning of Women’s History Month and gives you an early look at her plans for Concourse B.
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Free Training Helps You Stand Up to Hate
While anti-Asian and Asian American racism and xenophobia is currently in the news, it's not a new phenomenon. It has been part of American history for a long time, and we have seen it manifested against different Asian/American and Pacific Islander communities in many ways over the years. And, as the coronavirus pandemic continues, there's been even more harassment, discrimination and violence directed at these communities.
If you want to stand up to hate, consider signing up for free bystander intervention and de-escalation training. Offered by Hollaback! and Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the one-hour, interactive training will talk through five strategies for intervention: distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct; and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening.
Training is offered on an ongoing basis with a variety of times that can work with your schedule. Sign up now and feel more confident intervening the next time you see Anti-Asian/American harassment online or in person.
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Gradual Returns for PDX Volunteers and Dog Therapy Program
You may notice that our volunteer information program is making a gradual comeback. Later this week, volunteers will begin virtually staffing the south information booth via webcam.
Also returning, just in time for spring break, is the PDX dog therapy program. Both re-launches will be making a soft return and adjusting for any new or changing regulations relating to COVID-19 safety.
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