not responded to do so. The Chiefs and I are looking forward to reviewing the results and sharing the data with staff soon.  

Over the past month, you may have seen some new faces in the offices and terminals. These are the 18 interns-17 college and one high school student- we have welcomed to the Department of Aviation. The students come to us from academic institutions ranging from Northeast Philadelphia High School to Delaware State, Drexel, and Penn State universities and will be working in departments across the airports, including Capital Development, Operations, Community Relations and Government Affairs.  

I had the pleasure of greeting the students at their orientation and I can tell you they are enthusiastic about being here and eager to learn. I hope that all units, even those without their own interns, will open their doors to the students to help them understand how an airport operates and the role everyone plays in ensuring our passengers have the best experience possible.  We have one of the best teams in the aviation industry and I know you all have great insight that you can share with these future leaders who are just embarking on their careers.   

Please join me in thanking Director of Workforce Development Chevelle Harrison for organizing the internship program.  I hope that every department considers participating in the next round.  

 Regards,  

Atif 

HR Updates

Board of Pension Information Session - August 22, 2023:

Registration for the upcoming seminar is open! There is a morning and afternoon session to select from. A link for the session will be sent to the email provided during registration no later than August 15, 2023. 

***Registration will close Friday 8/11/23.

City Resource Group (CRG) and Airport Empowerment Group (AEG) Meetings

 CRGs

• AAPI: Meets on the last Thursday of every month. 
• Latindad: Meets on the fourth Thursday of every month.  
• LGBTQ+: Meets on the third Wednesday of every month.  
• New and Expecting Parents: Meets on the second Friday of each month.  
• Women of Color: Meets on the last Friday of each month.  

For questions about the City of Philadelphia City Resource Groups, contact Brenna Schmidt at [email protected]. 

AEGs

• Young Professionals (YoPro): 

The Airport's Young Professionals Empowerment Group is a great way for employees age 40 and under to network with one another and get to know our organization better.  We are happy to unveil our logo, which was developed by fellow YoPro Joseph Avila-Guilin.

The YoPros welcomed CEO Atif Saeed to our July monthly meeting, who shared insight on how he has gotten to where he is today, as well as great tips for being successful. In addition to networking events during work, the YoPros get together off the clock. We held our 3^rd Happy Hour at the PHS Pop Up Garden in Manayunk on July 27th, furthering our social experiences in different neighborhoods across the City.  Don't miss out on our next two scheduled events:

• August 9th: Social event at Cira Green in Center City
• August 22nd: Monthly meeting featuring CFO Tracy Borda

If you have questions or would like to join the YoPros, please reach out to Stacey Lennon or Alec Gever.

YoPros meet on the last Tuesday of every month from noon to 1 PM. Email [email protected] for calendar invites.  

ABOUT CRGs & AEGs: Employee Resource groups are designed to ultimately make the City of Philadelphia and DOA more inclusive places to work. Focus areas include networking, talent development and enhancing diversity and inclusion strategies and initiatives. If you are interested in participating or leading an AEG at PHL/PNE, email your idea(s) to [email protected]. There must be five people and a leader for implementation. 

TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE UPDATES DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE, EMAIL [email protected] WITH YOUR EMAIL AND/OR CELL PHONE NUMBER.

Staff Promotions 

Congratulations to our staff who were promoted in July: 

Alycia Speas, Administrative Services Supervisor - Non-confidential

Anthony Butler / Administrative Services Supervisor

Charles Fuller, Airport Operations Agent

David Gainer, Equipment Operator 2

Harry Robinson, Airport Operations Agent

Michael Luciany, Painter 2

Quentin Nixon, Equipment Operator 2

Reynaldo Delrosario, Airport Operations Agent

Vincent Gans, Equipment Operator 2

New Hires 

Welcome to our new hires:

Amy Liu, City Planner 3

Ani Kimble, Work Study Intern

Elijah Carter, Work Study Intern

James Goodwin, Airport Operations Trainee, Security

Janely Naula, High School Intern

Jason Fisher, Work Study Intern

Mariah Presley, Intern

Melissa McMullen, City Planner 2

Mina Cromartie, Work Study Intern

Nashiya Richardson, Work Study Intern

Taishaana Kenion, Clerical Assistant

Register for PHL's 5K on the Runway Run/Walk

Registration is Open!

Prepare for takeoff with the 6th PHL 5K on the Runway on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 to support local charities.



Participants will experience running on an actual runway used by commercial aircraft!



While piloting your way through the course, you will get to see the airport up close and personal and have the luxury of viewing commercial and general aviation aircraft taking off and landing (on different runways!). Airport equipment, such as fire apparatus, various snow removal equipment, and airline ground support equipment, will be displayed along the course.



In addition to supporting the March of Dimes, Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition, and Eastwick United CDC, participants will receive a moisture-wicking PHL5K shirt, post nutrition food and beverages, and awards.



New this year! The March of Dimes booth will feature a "Crawl the Runway" kid zone, including a miniature runway play area for kids attending the event. This area will bring the feel of the airfield race to your little ones and makes for a great photo op!

Sign up by August 10 to guarantee a race shirt. The last day to register is September 17. 

SEPTA Key Advantage for City Employees

The City of Philadelphia, as part of a two-year pilot program, has partnered with SEPTA to provide free SEPTA passes to eligible City employees through the SEPTA Key Advantage Program. 

Where can I get a SEPTA Key Card if I don’t already have one? 

PHL Tour Room

August 8, 2023

Terminal C/D Link

6 PM - 10 PM

OR

You can also attend any one of the SEPTA Key Advantage Program Distribution Events for all City employees:

OR

Sales Locations: Key Cards can also be purchased at any Key Card Buy/Load Location. The cost to purchase a Key Card is $4.95. If you register your Card within 30 days of purchase, the $4.95 fee will automatically be credited to your Card’s Travel Wallet. Travel Wallets on registered Key Cards never expire. You can register your card with the Septa Key Advantage Program using the Jawnt platform. (See attached instructions)

You must show your official City of Philadelphia work badge and log your Employee ID (also known as your payroll number) to receive a Key Card. Employees must be present at time of distribution.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you already have a SEPTA Key Card, you can continue to use your existing Card. You will have to register your existing Key Card with the SEPTA Key Advantage Program using the JAWNT Platform. Employees must have an active email address on file in the OnePhilly system to register a key card with JAWNT. For all OnePhilly account inquiries, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.

See the FAQ and Enrollment Guide for additional information.

SEPTA Airport Regional Rail Service Advisory 

Please note the following the temporary changes in service to the Airport Regional Rail Line schedule due to rebuilding of the mainline infrastructure through August 26, 2023.

Weekday HOURLY Train Service and Weekend Shuttle Service.

WEEKDAY SERVICE (Monday-Friday)

• HOURLY TRAIN SERVICE will operate between the Airport, Eastwick and Amtrak Main terminal lower-level platform
• ALL trains will arrive/depart 30th Street Station from Amtrak Main terminal lower-level platforms
• NO train service to/from Penn Medicine. To access Penn Medicine Area, see Shuttle information timetable below
• NO direct service to/from Suburban, Jefferson, or Temple University Stations
• Transfer to trains at SEPTA 30th St. Station platform, upper-level

Bus Stop for Penn Medicine Area Shuttle at 33rd & Spruce Streets. See Weekday and Weekend schedules for shuttle times

FARE PROCEDURE – WEEKDAY WITH TRAIN SERVICE

Inbound travel to Center City via Train

If boarding at Airport or Eastwick, tap your Key card on validator before boarding.  On arrival at 30th Street Station lower-level:

• If ending your trip at 30th Street Station or Penn Medicine, see station personnel at the top of stairway to close your trip
• Continuing to Penn Medicine, catch FREE shuttle bus at 30th Street
• Free connection for continuing travel on Regional Rail upper-level SEPTA platforms
• Tap Key card at final destination to close your trip

Outbound travel to Philadelphia Intl. Airport

Purchase your fare from Center City Fare Kiosk or Sales Office. Tap Quick Trip or Key card at your boarding station for train to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.

• Exit 30th Street upper-level platform: DO NOT TAP YOUR KEY CARD when exiting William H. Gray III 30th Street Station. Walk to Amtrak lower- level platform and board train
• Tap Key card at final destination to close your trip

WEEKEND SERVICE (Saturday & Sunday)

• SHUTTLE BUSES will substitute for train service between Eastwick, Airport terminals, and 30th Street Station
• Shuttle Buses from the Airport board at the Temporary Shuttle Bus Stops – please look for signs
• Shuttle Buses from 30th Street Station board on 30th Street Station side drive
• No direct service to/from Penn Medicine, Suburban, Jefferson, or Temple University Stations
• Transfer to trains at SEPTA 30th Street Station platforms, upper-level

WEEKEND WITH SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

Inbound travel to Center City via Shuttle Bus

Fares may also be purchased at Airport Fare Kiosks located in each terminal.

On arrival at 30th Street Station when exiting shuttle bus:

• If ending your trip at 30th Street Station or Penn Medicine, see station personnel when exiting shuttle bus to close your trip
• Continuing to Penn Medicine (33rd & Spruce), catch FREE shuttle bus at 30th Street
• Free connection for continuing travel on Regional Rail upper-level SEPTA platforms
• Tap Key card at final destination to close your trip

Outbound travel to Philadelphia Intl. Airport via Shuttle Bus

Purchase your fare from Center City Fare Kiosk or Sales Office. Tap Quick Trip or Key card at your boarding station for train to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.

• Exit 30th Street upper-level platform: DO NOT TAP YOUR KEY CARD. When exiting William H. Gray III 30th Street Station walk to Shuttle Bus
• Tap Key card at final destination to close your trip

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEPTA Ambassadors and Transportation Staff will be out to provide assistance and answer service and project questions.

• Special schedules will be available for all lines impacted by the project
• SEPTA upper-level & Amtrak lower-level platforms are located approx. 2-3 minutes walking distance apart inside the Amtrak William H. Gray III 30th St. Station
• Signage and/or Station Personnel will provide information & directions to train and shuttle bus locations
• For continuing travel to Center City from 30th Street Station: take any Regional Rail train going towards Suburban Station or use Market-Frankford Line or Trolleys

Girls in Aviation  

Join us at PNE Airport on September 23 for Girls in Aviation, a Women in Aviation International event hosted by Atlantic Aviation. Tickets are available August 1. Registration is required and ends September 4. 

Information Security  Notice

Have you ever received a SMS or text message on your phone about your bank account “locked”? Or an “urgent” message asking you to send money to a family member or friend? Or your “boss” requesting you to “pay” an invoice or bill? With a URL link to a website to claim a prize won? Or simply to “verify” your phone number? 

BE AWARE! Don’t take the bait! 

Be skeptical of unexpected text messages. Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent SMS/text messages that aim to trick YOU into opening a malware attachment or clicking on a malicious link or sharing your sensitive information such as     User IDs or passwords for your bank accounts, one-time passwords sent to your mobile device, address details, Social Security number (SSN), date of birth, mobile phone numbers or security codes.  

You should take these precautions to avoid becoming a smishing victim: 

• Don’t click hyperlinks in text messages from suspicious or unknown numbers. 
• Be wary, if urged to pay or give out sensitive information, pause and verify if the source is legitimate and trustworthy. 
• Never respond to text messages from unknown or suspicious numbers – even to tell them to stop. 
• Pay attention to social engineering red flags, such as urgent messages or get-rich-quick fixes. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 
• Don’t trust text messages asking for personal information. Remember that government agencies and legitimate companies will never text you asking for account details. 
• Always keep your phone’s operating system up-to-date to protect against malware hidden in smishing links. 

Please report any Phishing on your corporate phones to the Help Desk. 

PHL Food and Shops 

SummerFest  

PHL Food and Shops will hold its final SummerFest celebration on August 17. During SummerFest, use code SunFun3 to receive 25% off via OrderatPHL. For more details, please visit the SummerFest webpage. 

National Aviation Day 

Celebrate National Aviation Day with 25% off on orders at OrderatPHL.com, using code FlyPHL23 on August 18-19 only (valid one time only). 

National Burger Day 

Receive $3 off on orders at OrderatPHL.com on August 24 only with code Burger23 (valid at Burger King, Smashburger, Chickie’s & Pete’s, Mo’Burger, and Jack Duggans only). 

To sign up for employee discounts, text PHLSHOPDINE to 267-550-0996.

Follow the Airport on Social Media, Download the Podcast

Want to learn more about news and events at PHL and PNE? Be sure to follow the airports on social media:

• Twitter: @PHLAirport
• Instagram: @phl_airport
• Facebook: @PhiladelphiaInternationalAirport
• LinkedIn: @phlairport
• YouTube: @PHL_airport

For in-depth interviews about the aviation industry and our airports, download the “Taking Off with PHL” podcast at https://takingoff.podbean.com/. Recent episodes include features on the Tailwinds Flight School at PNE, the 25^th anniversaries of the PHL Airport Exhibitions Program and MarketPlace PHL, and an introduction to ARFF Chief Kamau Bright.

The Latest from PHL's Online Newsroom

At the Airport 

PHL Completes Second Phase of QMS Installation 

PHL has completed the second phase of its Queue Management System (QMS) at A-East and A-West, providing passengers with real-time updates at security checkpoints via in-terminal digital signage and on phl.org.   

PHL Hosts ACDBE Academy 

PHL introduced its pilot Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Academy on June 20. 

Wagging Tails Brigade Dogs Support Trauma Survivors 

In March 2019, PHL's Guest Experience Department introduced the Wagging Tails Brigade, including a group of furry, friendly dogs in partnership with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, and most recently, Comfort Caring Canines. Within both organizations, dogs go through a variety of training and tests. 

 

PHL Press Releases 

Standard & Poors Assigns A+/Stable Rating to Philadelphia International Airport 

“To achieve an A+ stable rating from S&P while still recovering from the pandemic demonstrates the resiliency of the airport and is a testament to the hard work of our finance team to manage our portfolio during the most uncertain time in the aviation industry’s history,” said PHL CEO Atif Saeed. 

 City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation CEO Atif Saeed Appointed to AAAE Board 

City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation CEO Atif Saeed has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). The announcement was made at AAAE’s 95th Annual Conference & Exposition, held in Denver June 3-5.   

City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation CIO Allen Mehta Selected as 2023 Philadelphia Titan 100 

City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation Chief Information Officer Allen Mehta has been selected as a 2023 Philadelphia Titan 100. 

Capital Development 

What is a Pre-Conditioned Air Unit? 

While we may take air conditioning for granted, we rely on this essential modern convenience – not only does it make indoor spaces more comfortable but, more importantly, it ensures safety from extreme temperatures. Heating and cooling in an aircraft is something the Department of Aviation takes very seriously and is an important part of the sustainability and operations of the airports. 

Airline News 

American Airlines, Landline receive industry-first TSA approval for airside-to-airside connectivity via motorcoach 

American Airlines customers traveling on Landline-operated motorcoaches from Allentown/Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (ABE), and Atlantic City, New Jersey (ACY), to PHL can now enjoy a more seamless and convenient travel experience with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) recent approval of airside-to-airside motorcoach operations. 

New Security Process Makes American Airlines-Landline Travel Seamless 

Travelers who utilize Landline, a premium motorcoach service through American Airlines, can look forward to a more convenient and streamlined airside-to-airside experience this summer. 

Northeast Philadelphia Airport News 

Young Pilot Camp Inspires Future Aviators

Summer camp – the best time and opportunity to try something new, experience exciting activities, and learn more about future possibilities.   

People at PHL 

PHL Unsung Heroes: Chickie's & Pete's General Manager Paul Porter 

Chickie's & Pete's General Manager Paul Porter recently received the “Unsung Heroes” award from PHL Employee Recognition Program, which honors employees who work behind the scenes and are not typically recognized for their work. Although they do not work directly with guests, their effectiveness significantly affects the airport and guest experience.    

Financial Tips from PHL Well 

PHLWell ended the second quarter of 2023 with a session that reviewed financial tips that were shared with Department of Aviation employees over the first two quarters of the year. In a frank dialogue led by Training and Development personnel Latia White and Ashlee Franklin, the staff talked about ways to better manage money, shared tips on savings, and the importance of having life insurance. These tips can also be valuable to the airports’ guests.