News and resources for airport employees.
News and resources for airport employees.
Chris Box, Hoffman Skanska Joint Venture
For Chris Box, Customer Service Means Lending a Hand to Travelers in Need
Chris Box (he/him) with Hoffman Skanska Joint Venture (HSJV) was nominated by David, a Port of Portland employee.
"A traveler at PDX was having physical difficulties getting on an escalator. Chris Box with HSJV was nearby and quickly stepped in to help her and her companion. Chris got a wheelchair and then assisted her to the elevator.
This is not the first time I witnessed Chris assisting members of the public. He continuously goes out of his way as part of his daily duties to assist the public at PDX."
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
Concourse B
What's New with PDX Next: Concourse B Detour, Weather Impacts and B/C Bypass Stairs
Concourse B Detour: Reminder – we’ve officially moved into the building stage of Phase 2 – bye-bye demolition, hello progress! That means evening travelers arriving at Concourse B gates will have a temporary detour now through Friday, March 14, weeknights from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Read more about the impacts. Once this work is complete, crews will move back to Concourse E and the detour will resume on that side of the airport. Thank you to everyone working to help passengers navigate the changes and to everyone working through the changes as we bring the rest of PDX to life!
Weather Impacts: Recent weather events have resulted in some schedule adjustments, including adding Saturday workdays on Feb. 22, March 1 and March 15. The hard-working crews are dedicated to completing this work as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible. On nights when they can’t swing the crane, they tackle work to facilitate the next steps in the process. We’ll keep you posted on additional impacts and schedule updates.
B/C Bypass Stairs: The exit staircase located in the middle of the south pedestrian bypass will be temporarily removed starting today, Monday, Feb. 17. It will be back and operational on Tuesday, April 1.
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. 
Infographic showing the bulleted protocols in the article
Be Knowledgeable:
Bag Tunnel Safety
Bag tunnel is a busy place, and with new routes and construction changes, there's been a significant increase in vehicle and pedestrian traffic. With more people and vehicles in the area, it's important to keep safety top of mind.

Drivers
  • Do not exceed 5 MPH in bag tunnels.
  • Stop completely at all stop signs and stop bars.
  • Stay alert for pedestrians and construction.
  • Electric vehicles are silent – honk when approaching pedestrians or construction.
Pedestrians
  • Stay alert, especially near drive lanes.
  • Watch for traffic, not your phone.
See something, say something
  • For incidents that result in injury or property damage, call the PDX Communications Center at 503-460-4747.
  • For driving incidents that should be addressed immediately, call the PDX Airport Duty Manager at 503-460-4236.
  • Report all other hazards through the PDX bag tunnel safety reporting system.
Y-shaped column put in place for the main terminal.
Final Y Columns Take Shape at PDX
Behind those construction walls, we've been lifting giants into place. Check out this video of the newest (and final!) Y-shaped columns in our main terminal project – standing 55 feet tall and ready to support the last sections of our 100% Douglas fir roof. Made to mimic a walk in the forest, these Y columns branch upward, gracefully holding the wooden canopy overhead. They’re also the only major steel-and-concrete elements in the terminal, crafted with local impact in mind: The steel was rolled at Evraz Oregon Steel Mills in North Portland, then fabricated by W&W Afco Steel and Thompson Metal Fab in Vancouver. This work is part of Phase 2, bringing the final 30% of the project to life – including shorter walks, cozier seats, and even more local shops by 2026.
Portland Airport Fire and Rescue team member pointing to an emergency vehicle.
PDX Fire Opens Doors…and Entry Level Eligibility List
In case you missed it, the first-ever Portland Airport Fire and Rescue open house was a big success. Nearly 60 aspiring firefighters stopped by to meet the crew, tour the station, and see what makes our team so unique. The questions were thoughtful, the energy was high, and we’re excited about what the future holds. If you know someone who’s interested in joining the team as an entry level firefighter, here's the application link. Even if they’re not selected, we’ll keep a roster of potential candidates for up to two years.
Giant pink mailbox at PiPH.
Love is in the Air...Mail!
Say hi to Q, a bright pink mailbox at PiPH by Paper Epiphanies. Named after aviation trailblazer Harriet Quimby, Q is ready to help you send sweet notes to your favorite people while you're at PDX. USPS picks up mail daily and PiPH has forever stamps available if you need one. Bonus: Buy a card at PiPH using your employee discount, send it off from Q, and boom – you’re in PiPH’s #MailHighClub! Club perks include cute goodies like stickers and more each month.
Air traffic control tower at PDX.
Axios: PDX is One of Few Airports Without an Air Traffic Controller Shortage
While many of the country's air traffic control facilities have been understaffed, the most recent data shows PDX is meeting Federal Aviation Administration staffing targets. Of 313 FAA facilities included in the report, only 23 – including PDX, with its 26 controllers – met or exceeded their staffing goal as of September 2023. Managing the airspace around PDX and oversight of the air traffic control tower, including staffing, is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the FAA, not the airport. But here at PDX, we pride ourselves on having strong relationships with our agency and airline partners to maintain safe operations and to foster a culture that makes our airport a great place to work.
Snow plow heads out at PDX.
PDX in Pictures
The recent winter weather brought snow and ice to Portland, and the conditions meant many PDX People worked around the clock. A giant thank you to everyone who stepped up, from pre-treating and maintaining the airfields and planes to making sure travelers were informed and cared for during their time at PDX.
We'd like to highlight you and your colleagues' extraordinary efforts during this past week. If you have a story about a team or an individual who went above and beyond during the recent winter weather event, email PDX People Communications with a description of what they did. Make sure to include names, companies and any other important details, including photos. We'll highlight your stories in the next PDX People newsletter!
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