Navigating the physically distanced world is a learning process, not only for the public remembering to keep six feet apart, but also for facilities setting up stanchions and barriers to keep patrons safely spaced. At PHL, that means making changes in real time.

In an ongoing effort to enhance the passenger screening process, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) are using Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) that validates a traveler’s identification and confirms their flight information in near real time.

Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) was awarded a $9.1 million Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to rehabilitate Runway 6-24, which is PNE's primary runway and accounts for approximately 60 percent of the airport’s traffic. This is the largest FAA AIP grant PNE has ever received.

Visits by members of the PHL Wagging Tail Brigade have been a highlight for airport guests and employees since the furry volunteers and their owners joined the PHL team in April 2019. When stay-at-home orders were put in place in March, the Wagging Tails Brigade’s visits were put on temporary hiatus—making it a “ruff” few months for those that looked forward to seeing their canine friends in the terminals and for the dogs that love greeting guests at PHL.  

What is your current position at PHL and how long have you worked here? 

My current position is an Equipment Operator 2. I started with the city in the custodial department at PHL in 2003. Over the years I’ve moved on and it’s now been 16 years since I’ve been with the city working at PHL. 

Look, up in the sky… it’s a plane, it’s a helicopter, it’s an AW609 tiltrotor!

Moving sidewalks, shuttle vehicles, kiosks and high contrast captioning communication make all our airport experiences easier, especially people with disabilities.  

In April, the Federal Aviation Administration announced approximately $116 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding was designated for PHL (as well as $157,000 for PNE). For PHL, that was the equivalent to a little over 100 days of cash on hand to support airport operations, including covering payroll, paying vendors and making debt service payments—enough to get through to end of the fiscal year.

-What is your current position at PHL and how long have you worked here? 

I am currently serving as a Building Maintenance Group Leader and have been employed by PHL for the last seven years. 

-Why did you decide to work at PHL and what’s the most meaningful part of your job?