TAKING OFF with PHL

SUMMER TRAVEL TRENDS WITH THE POINTS GUY

Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans (85%) are expecting to travel this summer, according to new data from the U.S. Travel Association – suggesting that people have brushed off their COVID fears and are returning to a “ready to travel” mindset. In fact, the foot traffic through TSA checkpoints over the last holiday weekend in the U.S. was only slightly less than in 2019 pre-pandemic. 

As Americans’ enthusiasm for travel continues to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, the travel experience is most certainly very different than it once was.

In this episode, Chellie is joined by Clint Henderson, Managing Editor of News for The Points Guy, a travel lifestyle media platform and website, to talk about what travelers can expect at airports and in the skies this summer travel season. 

To learn more about Clint and The Points Guy, please visit thepointsguy.com

And to learn more Philadelphia International Airport, please visit phl.org

Celebrating Women In Aviation - Candace McGraw CEO of CVG Airport

In honor of Women's History Month, Chellie is joined by Candace McGraw, CEO of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Candace is also the new Vice Chair of ACI World, the association of the world’s airports. In this episode, Chellie and Candace celebrate women pioneers in aviation such as Bessie Raiche, Harriet Quimby, Bessie Coleman, The Betsy Ross Air Corps, Helen Richey and Amelia Earhart… just to name a few. It’s because of the path paved by these amazing women that Chellie and Candace were able to pursue careers in aviation.  Chellie and Candace speak about their unique professional development and provide insight to inspire future generations who may want to pursue careers in aviation.

To learn more about Candace and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, please visit cvgairport.com

And to learn more Philadelphia International Airport, please visit PHL.org/newsroom

BREAKING BARRIERS IN AVIATION - Lt Col (Ret) Michael Hales

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military pilots in U.S. military service, operating between 1940 and 1946 as the 99^th Pursuit Squadron. Despite earning an exemplary record while fighting the enemy abroad during World War II, these men faced racism and discrimination at home. Flying some 1,600 missions and destroying over 260 enemy aircraft, the Tuskegee Airmen helped lay the foundation for President Harry S. Truman’s decision to desegregate the armed forces in 1948.

Delaware State University (DSU) in Dover, DE, held a key position in developing the squadron that would become known as the Tuskegee Airmen. As U.S. involvement in WWII rose, DSU’s aviation program was designated one of six historically black colleges and universities added to the government-sponsored Civilian Pilot Training Program. Some of DSU’s student pilots became the first Black military flyers after training at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

While DSU’s aviation program languished after WWII, it was restarted in 1987. Since then, the school’s planes have been painted with red tails, which have become a symbol of the Tuskegee Airmen and the planes they flew in World War II.

In this episode, which was recorded during Black History Month in February 2022, Chellie speaks with Lt. Col. (Ret) Michael Hales, DSU’s Director of Aviation Programs. Lt. Col. Hales brings an insatiable passion for all things aviation and a bold strategic vision for the future of the program – which includes training a pipeline of pilots and aviation professionals of color.

To learn more about Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hales and Delaware State University, please visit DESU.edu. And to learn more Philadelphia International Airport, please visit phl.org/newsroom.

 

PHL is on the Front Lines to Prevent Human Trafficking

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The COVID-19 pandemic has done little to slow this form of modern-day slavery. Instead, traffickers have taken advantage of the global crisis to continue targeting adults and children. Airports are a key point of access for traffickers, who use airports - as well as other transportation hubs, including train and bus stations - to scout for and move their victims. PHL is committed to working with relevant agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation (DOT), to address this horrible crime. Recognizing the signs of human trafficking is the first step in helping to stop it.

 

In this episode, Chellie is joined by PHL’s Jason Sankey and Jonathan Todd to discuss how PHL employees and the public can help to spot, intervene, and stop human trafficking. 

 

To learn more about the steps Philadelphia International Airport is taking to stop Human Trafficking and how you can help, please visit https://www.phl.org/newsroom/wearblue

Exceptional Employee: Heather Redfern

In the Department of Aviation, we use the acronym P.R.I.D.E. to describe our daily commitment to our customers and our co-workers, as well as our mission to connect Philadelphia to the world.
The letters stand for:

P-People First

R-Respect

I- Integrity

D-Diversity

E- Excellence

2020 was a year unlike any other. We navigated a devastating global pandemic that fundamentally transformed the travel, tourism and aviation industries, all while keeping our passengers, our colleagues and our community safe. This episode is part of our “Exceptional Employees” series – and the exceptional employees who keep us moving.

The PRIDE awards recognize individuals who have been nominated by their colleagues for exhibiting one or more of the DOA’s core values. In this episode, Chellie speaks to Heather Redfern, the 2020 recipient of “Integrity” award.

To learn more about Philadelphia International Airport and to learn more about our exceptional employees, please visit phl.org.

Exceptional Employee: Nicole Maddox

In the Department of Aviation, we use the acronym P.R.I.D.E. to describe our daily commitment to our customers and our co-workers, as well as our mission to connect Philadelphia to the world.
The letters stand for:

P-People First

R-Respect

I- Integrity

D-Diversity

E- Excellence

2020 was a year unlike any other. We navigated a devastating global pandemic that fundamentally transformed the travel, tourism and aviation industries, all while keeping our passengers, our colleagues and our community safe. This episode is part of our “Exceptional Employees” series – and the exceptional employees who keep us moving.

The PRIDE awards recognize individuals who have been nominated by their colleagues for exhibiting one or more of the DOA’s core values. In this episode, Chellie talks to Nicole Maddox - Executive Assistant on PHL’s Revenue team and a 2020 recipient of “Integrity” award.

To learn more about Philadelphia International Airport and to learn more about our exceptional employees, please visit phl.org.

 

Exceptional Employee: Alec Gever

In the Department of Aviation, we use the acronym P.R.I.D.E. to describe our daily commitment to our customers and our co-workers, as well as our mission to connect Philadelphia to the world.

The letters stand for:

P-People First

R-Respect

I- Integrity

D-Diversity

E- Excellence

2020 was a year unlike any other. We navigated a devastating global pandemic that fundamentally transformed the travel, tourism and aviation industries, all while keeping our passengers, our colleagues and our community safe. This episode is part of our “Exceptional Employees” series – and the exceptional employees who keep us moving.

The PRIDE awards recognize individuals who have been nominated by their colleagues for exhibiting one or more of the DOA’s core values. In this episode, Chellie chats with the 2020 recipient of the “People” award, Alec Gever.

To learn more about Philadelphia International Airport and to learn more about our exceptional employees, please visit phl.org.

Infrastructure Funding for Airports with Shane Doud

As legislators in Congress continue to negotiate historic infrastructure legislation to fund investments in transportation networks across America, we brought in Shane Doud, PHL's Director of Government Affairs, to help us better understand the implications for airports - particularly PHL. At the time of this recording, the final bill had not yet been put up for a vote. To learn more about Philadelphia International Airport, please visit phl.org.

PHL VOLUNTEER NAVIGATORS PROGRAM

Navigating an airport can be overwhelming, but a friendly face can put travelers at ease. For the past 20 years, members of the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) volunteer program have welcomed and assisted millions of guests who have passed through the airport’s terminals. And it’s only getting better! Joining Chellie in this episode to talk more about the recently expanded PHL Volunteer Navigators program is Christine Datesman, the program manager, and Leah Douglas, PHL's Director of Guest Experience. 

 

To learn more about the PHL Navigators Program, please visit PHL.org/volunteers or contact us at PHLVolunteers.contactus@phl.org for more information on volunteer opportunities. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Maintaining consistent engagement and communication with communities surrounding our airport is a priority for the City of Philadelphia - Division of Aviation. We are proactively working to build relationships with external stakeholders to build trust with residents and businesses in the surrounding community. Keesha Lane, PHL & PNE’s Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Outreach, joins Chellie to speak about these important efforts.

And to learn more about Philadelphia International Airport, please visit phl.org.