News and resources for airport employees.
News and resources for airport employees.
Group photo of past quarterly customer service winners at the event.
Watch the PDX People Customer Service Awards Tomorrow at Noon
To recognize airport employees who truly stand out as extraordinary, we hold the quarterly PDX People Customer Service Awards. Winners in each category – along with their managers and members of our volunteer working committee – are invited to attend the event in person while it's live-streamed on YouTube. To watch, head to the Port of Portland YouTube page on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at noon.
Missed the last virtual awards ceremony? View the event recording or 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
In celebration of last quarter's amazing customer service stories, we're giving some extra applause to our previous nominees:
Bob Baughman (Port of Portland Volunteer) welcomes international visitors with bright spirits, eliciting this response from a traveler: “I am so thrilled when I see Bob because I know all are in good hands." 
Carlos Banks (Port of Portland) helped locate a passenger’s lost backpack: “Carlos' quick thinking found my laptop in enough time to make my plane. Thank you, Carlos!”
Matilda Brooks (Bags Inc.) saw a passenger struggling on their crutches and offered to carry their luggage and guide them to the parking structure: “Matilda went above and beyond, did it all with a smile and deserves to be recognized.” 
Travis Dorsey (Hertz Car Rental) earned praise from customers: "Travis was outstanding in customer service! We were really comfortable, and he was extremely joyful and kind and funny!" 
Sebastian Foster (Bags Inc.) shares his uplifting singing with coworkers, passengers and anyone who wants to hear a wonderful song: "His voice is amazing, and I know he feels joy and happiness when he makes passengers happy."
Gary Frazier (ABM) guides customers at the checkpoints with exceptional organization and friendliness: "Mr. Frazier is an outstanding, beaming example of PDX customer service!"
Han Gott (LaTrelle’s Galley) received a customer compliment for respectfully giving suggestions and information about the Stumptown menu.
Guyla Hines (ABM) guided several passengers to their departure gate during a moment of confusion. The passenger praised Guyla’s kindness: "Thank you, Guyla. You are truly one of a kind!"
Jamisha Johnson (Delta Air Lines) earned this compliment from a passenger: "Jamisha was incredibly helpful and patient while helping my family figure out a cancellation." 
Ruta Kaupiko (Delta Air Lines) received this commendation from a fellow PDX employee: “Ruta went above and beyond to help a passenger with a medical situation and stayed with the passenger until help arrived."
Joel Kerth (Hudson Group) was nominated for his attention to detail and helpfulness with passengers, leading by great example.  
Don Kutcher (SP Plus Corporation) earned this note from a passenger: "Don was the friendliest, most helpful shuttle driver I have experienced at PDX or anywhere else."
Salim Mohammed (Hertz Car Rental) brings his best smile to work every day: "Employees like Salim Mohammed keep me coming back. Thank you, Salim!"
Jessica Ortez (TSA) helped a passenger after a fall: "Jessica was fabulous at reporting the incident while staying calm and empathetic toward the passenger."
Jeremiah Pacheco (Port of Portland) helped a passenger find a missing cell phone. The passenger commended Jeremiah’s professionalism: "He is an extraordinary asset to PDX and a wonderful human."
Glenda Pritchard (Horizon Air) received this compliment from a co-worker: "There is not a day that goes by that Glenda does not exude excellent customer service!" 
Marina Sabodash (ATS) earned this complimented from a fellow employee: "Marina follows through with each and every passenger regarding their lost baggage. She's a great team player and provides great customer service. She’s a rockstar!"
Aerial view of roof under construction at PDX.
What's New with PDX Next: Baggage Claim and Ticket Lobby Impacts
Baggage Claim: Carousel 9 is closed from 5 to 9 a.m. through Monday, Jan. 31. Carousel 5 closes today (Jan. 23) and Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Carousel 4 closes Wednesday, Jan. 25, and Thursday, Jan. 26, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Ticket Lobby: On Tuesday, Jan 24, you'll see crews using a scissor lift near the north elevators from 6 to 11 a.m. and the south elevators from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. While crews are by the south elevators, they'll intermittently block access to the ATM. The ATM in baggage claim will be available for use and use of the elevators and escalators will not be impacted.
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.
Roadway at PDX.
Be Knowledgeable: Parking Rate Increase for PDX Travelers
Starting Wednesday, Feb. 1, parking rates at PDX will increase from $3 per hour in the garages and lots to $4 per hour. The new daily rates are $15 per day, $24 per day and $30 per day in the economy lot, long-term garages and short-term garages, respectively. This is the first parking rate adjustment in four years. There will be no changes to hourly rates for valet parking or changes to the daily rates for long-term daily parking. Curious where those parking fees go and what other parking amenities are offered? Read the press release for more information.
Clapboard reading
Wanna Be PDX Famous? Help with Our Casting Call
Calling all PDX employees and friends! We’re looking for several people to participate in a PDX Next video shoot in the ticket lobby on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. As compensation, we’ll give you a gift card on the day of filming.
In order to reflect the diverse communities the airport serves, we welcome participants of all ages, genders, ethnicities, body types and abilities. Our number one qualification? Please be comfortable in front of a camera.
Who we’re looking for:
Duo of Blazers fans with the carpet jersey or regular Blazers jersey (bonus points if you own your own jersey)

Musician w/ their instrument (you don’t have to be able to play it, it will be used as a prop)


Tourist (bonus points if you have a Hawaiian shirt)


Family (one to two kids and two parents)

People to fill in and make airport look busy, wearing neutral colors that blend in and don’t stand out
Two TSA employees wearing the
Be Respectful: Sunflower Lanyards Make the Invisible Visible
You may have noticed a post on PDX social media highlighting the Sunflower Lanyard Program. The green sunflower lanyard has one simple purpose: It indicates that the person wearing it – or someone with them – has a hidden disability and that they may need additional support. There's also a white "proud to support" lanyard – you've likely seen a seen a fellow PDX employee with one on. Take some time to learn more about the program and hidden disabilities, then visit the PDX training page to learn more about how you can help make our airport welcoming to all travelers – including trainings on sensory inclusion and pronoun use.
Lion dancers in costume at Bambuza at PDX.
Join the Lunar New Year Celebration at PDX
Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, started yesterday (Jan. 22) and marks the end of the Year of the Tiger and the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit. We're holding a Lunar New Year celebration at PDX this Saturday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. The White Lotus Dance Crew will perform with a procession down Concourse C. Join us at the south end of the ticket lobby for fun, treats and to learn more about the Lunar New Year. If you're not at PDX, you can watch the livestream on Facebook
Top left: tour group of PDX People learning about the roof. Top left: Group of attendees signing a construction wall. Bottom left: Group photo of tour guides and HSJV staff that helped make it all happen. Bottom right: Person taking a roof photo.
PDX in Pictures
On Saturday, employees from around the airport went behind the construction wall at PDX and walked under our new local, sustainably sourced wooden roof. PDX People came, many in groups with their co-workers, eager to see what's coming in May 2024. This unique opportunity was a team effort between the Port of Portland and Hoffman-Skanska a huge thank you to everyone who made the day a success!
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