News and resources for airport employees.
News and resources for airport employees.
PDX People: Four Stories of Extraordinary Customer Service
Being friendly is a big part of providing exceptional customer service and demonstrating our PDX People core values. It can mean offering a kind word or smile to a visitor or taking extra steps to ensure a lost or distressed passenger has what they need to get to their destination. Meeting people where they're at – by being empathetic and welcoming – is how PDX People make our airport one of America's best.
To recognize actions that truly stand out and show gratitude for these efforts, we host the PDX People customer service awards each quarter. Here are the extraordinary employees we recognized from October through December 2021. Read the stories of our latest winners or watch the recording of the live event.
Know an employee who embodies the PDX People values? Submit a nomination now for the next quarterly honors.
Nominate a PDX Employee
What's New with PDX Next: Watch the January Forum
Look no further – we've got the inside scoop on construction at PDX. Jen Reynolds with the Port of Portland along with Pat Bifone and Caitlin Powell of Hoffman-Skanska shared the latest construction updates and answered your questions about PDX Next.
This month's forum opened with a review of the amazing accomplishments of 2021 including closing Clocktower Plaza, opening the bypasses made from the repurposed Concourse Connector and welcoming Concourse B. Attendees also learned about the exciting projects coming in 2022. Much of the work will be in preparation for both hard demolition of the former Clocktower Plaza and the new main terminal roof installation – stay tuned for more details in upcoming issues. 
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. 
PDX Wayfinding Gets Inclusive Upgrade
A Chinook salmon. A Douglas Fir tree. An open umbrella. All the icons chosen for the new wayfinding signage in PDX parking garages and tunnels embody the spirit of the Pacific Northwest and form a cohesive, equitable approach to wayfinding. For example, people for whom English is not their first language can follow signs that don’t rely solely on words and do incorporate simple, recognizable images. While the new signage does feature color, it also uses icons and words, so it’s useful for individuals who are colorblind. The elevators now have enhanced lighting, brighter colors and additional signage elements, making them easier to find for travelers who have mobility concerns as well as those who are just plain exhausted from a long flight. Read more about the new wayfinding signage and the people who worked together to improve the PDX experience.
How to Get Free N95 Masks
Given how contagious the omicron variant of the coronavirus is, experts say it's time to upgrade your mask. If possible, higher filtration masks are recommended (KN95 and KF95) or double masking with a disposable surgical mask next to your face and a snug-fitting cloth mask over the top.
Need a KN95 mask? Check out this OPB article about accessing them for free from the Strategic National Stockpile. The Department of Health and Human Services says that every person is allowed up to three free masks, depending on availability. You can see a list of participating pharmacies on the CDC website. 
As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to follow recommendations from our public health partners, including the Oregon Health Authority, and will keep you posted as guidance continues to evolve. Watch for updates in this newsletter and encourage co-workers to subscribe now if they haven't already.
Sunflower Lanyards: Making the Invisible Visible
Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 1, sunflower lanyards will be available at all airline ticket counters. This is a perfect opportunity to refresh your knowledge of the sunflower lanyard program at PDX. The 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. Take some time to learn more about the program, hidden disabilities and how you can help make our airport inclusive and welcoming to all travelers.
Newsletter Subscriber Winners Announced
Did you know you could win $25 just for reading this newsletter? We just selected this month's winners – check your email for a message from PDX People Communications to see if you won.
Every month, we hold a drawing for new and current PDX People newsletter subscribers to win a $25 gift card. On the last Monday, we'll randomly select one winner from the month's new subscribers and one from the pool of current subscribers. Want your coworkers to have the chance to win next month? Forward them this email or send them this link to sign up.
Lunar New Year: Celebrate the Year of the Tiger
Lunar New Year – also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival – starts on Feb. 1, marking the end of the Year of the Ox and the beginning of the Year of the Tiger. The annual event is celebrated in various East Asian countries and in many other parts of the world with feasts, fireworks and parades. With more than 1.5 billion people celebrating the Lunar New Year, the holiday is rich in traditions. Some of these include sweeping the grounds to drive away misfortune, negative spirits and bad karma; family reunions, parades and fireworks to ward off bad spirits; gifting tangerines and oranges; and cooking and eating traditional dishes.
Take a look at "Reflection," Shohei Takasaki's lively large-scale mural that depicts the twelve symbolic animals of the Japanese zodiac (post-security on Concourse D), watch last year's video of White Lotus Dragon & Lion Dance performing at the airport, and join us in celebrating Lunar New Year!
PDX in Pictures
On Wednesday, we held the grand opening for our new sensory room on Concourse D. You've likely heard about the room already – you may have even taken KultureCity's sensory inclusive certification training. The space is geared toward visitors with cognitive or sensory processing challenges and features a mobile sensory station, comfortable seating options, tactile art and a calming, comfortable atmosphere. Learn more in this KOIN TV video and Portland Monthly article.

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