January 21 2021
Written By: PHL Newsroom
A Message from CEO Chellie Cameron:
Hi Team PHL/PNE,
At the end of last year, our Racial Equity Advisory Council shared its mission statement with Division of Aviation employees:
“The DOA recognizes the aviation industry’s history of institutional racism and ongoing lack of diversity and inclusion. Change begins from within and lasting impact must be fueled by participation and input from all DOA employees. We are committed to addressing these disparities by building awareness, identifying solutions and fostering a dynamic workplace that ensures equitable opportunities and outcomes for all employees.”
That statement now also serves as a guide for this month’s Division of Aviation Black History Month events. This year, we will celebrate the accomplishments of members of our airport community. Throughout the month, longtime DOA staff members and colleagues from our airport partners will be featured in video interviews, social media posts and our Black History Month webpage, phl.org/BHM2021.
REAC has also scheduled activities that invite all DOA staff members to participate to learn about one another and about the influence the Black community has had on our country. These activities include a book club, a virtual poetry reading and a recipe swap.
I am looking forward to the educational opportunities these events present. I am especially excited to learn about our colleagues’ journeys in the aviation industry. We cannot move forward without understanding each other’s experiences and we can use the ideas and information that are shared as our foundation for change. REAC will also use feedback received to help plan future cultural celebrations.
I encourage you to participate in our Black History Month activities and learn more about the rich history of Black contributions here at PHL. Have a great month.
Chellie
DOA Celebrates Black History Month
The Division of Aviation’s 2021 Black History Month calendar features a variety activities that celebrate the members of the airport community and encourage employee participation. Events were planned by the Racial Equity Advisory Council (REAC).
Black History Game Days – February 11 and 25, 12 p.m.
Join two Special Edition Thurs-YAY! Water Cooler Conversations on Thursday, February 11 and February 25 to test your Black History knowledge, with a chance to win bragging rights with your colleagues and special prizes! Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Thurs-yay! Water Cooler Conversations allow employees to take a mid-day break, socialize with each other, reconnect and relieve some stress!
Poetry Excerpts & Favorite Quote Readings – Due February 12
Share a poem excerpt or quote from your favorite black poet or cultural icon! DOA employees can submit their self-recorded clips (One minute or less in duration) using the following directions:
If filming at home:
- Prop your cell phone on your laptop keyboard or against your computer monitor horizontally.
- Select video on your phone’s camera function.
- Hit record and recite your favorite poem excerpt or quote.
- When the (maximum) one-minute video is complete, email it to [email protected].
If filming at the airport, all individuals involved in the filming must wear PPE and practice the six-foot social distancing rule.
Please submit your video clip to [email protected] by Friday, February 12th. Once submitted, clips will be shared via social media and our website!
Book Club – February 16 and 26
Join your colleagues in reading the selection for REAC’s Black History Month Book Club. There will be a brief virtual check-in on Tuesday, February 16 at 3 PM and a virtual brown bag lunch/book discussion on Friday, February 26th at 12 PM. Look for an upcoming announcement for the title of the reading selection.
If you are interested in facilitating the virtual check-in and/or the brown bag lunch/book discussion, please contact [email protected].
DOA Cookbook – Submit by February 17
DOA is a proud home to employees with diverse backgrounds and cultures. We are excited to kick-off our “DOA Cookbook Series” during Black History Month (BHM). Employees are encouraged to submit culturally significant recipes with a brief description explaining its significance. Once submitted, recipes will be compiled to create a cookbook that is accessible to all employees.
While the theme for February will be BHM recipes, upcoming celebrations (March - Women’s History Month, May - Jewish American Heritage Month, LGBT History Month, Oct/Nov - Hispanic Heritage Month, etc.) will offer an opportunity to add recipes to the cookbook throughout the year.
Please submit recipes and descriptions to [email protected] by Wednesday, February 17. We look forward to receiving your submissions!
To keep the celebration going beyond February, submissions that were not selected for BHM will be shared on our soon-to-be-launched Racial Equity MyPHL page.
One on One with Chellie Cameron and Black Leaders in Aviation - Throughout February
CEO Chellie Cameron will join several Back leaders in aviation to discuss a variety of topics, including their backgrounds, career experiences, reflections and advice to the next generation pursuing careers in the industry. Interviews will be shared via social media and PHL.org/Newsroom throughout the month!
Employee Highlights – Throughout February
DOA is fortunate to have seasoned employees with an abundance of experiences and perspectives. Throughout the month, we will profile our colleagues and share their stories via social media and on PHL.org/Newsroom
Artist Exhibitions - Throughout February
DOA’S award winning Arts & Exhibitions Program, led by Leah Douglas, will feature the following artists throughout the airport during Black History Month:
- Kambel Smith – Terminal A- West
- Marian Bailey – Terminal D
- Jaither West – Terminals E and F
- Eustace Mamba – Terminals E and F
Take a moment to check out their creativity!
Black Author Spotlight - Throughout February
PHL Food & Shops are featuring black authors throughout the month with Black History Month merchandising tables at Heritage Books in the B/C Connector and both Philadelphia Tribune locations (Terminal A-East and Terminal D). Each table will have a QR code and customers can enter for a chance to win a free book of their choice from the highlighted assortment.
January Staff Promotions
Congratulations to the following Division of Aviation employees promoted in the month of January:
- Elliot Perez - Airport Properties Specialist 2
- James Adeoye - Accountant
- James Reed - Heavy Equipment Operator 1
HR Updates
Tamara Whitfield Named Acting HR Manager
Tamara Whitfield has assumed the role of Acting HR Manager. Tamara has been a member of the Division of Aviation's HR team for seven years, leading employee relations. She is a long-standing City employee with a wealth of HR knowledge. Her demonstrated leadership skills and genuine concern for employees are of great value to our organization.
Thank you to all who joined us in sending well wishes to former HR Manager Yvonne Howard on her departure from PHL/PNE after 25 years of service to the City- 18 of those years at the airport. She was an asset to the DOA’s team and will be missed.
2020 W-2s Now Available in OnePhilly
All active employees can now log into the OnePhilly Employee Self Service (ESS) portal to view and print their W-2 forms. After accessing the W-2 form page in ESS, employees will see both 2019 and 2020 W-2 forms [as applicable], along with informational links.
The links (also given below) help navigate the W-2 and understand the values shown in the boxes. Each link will show a document with details, illustrations and instructions about the W-2.
- W-2 Access instructional postcard
- OnePhilly Navigation Guide and FAQ
- OnePhilly Mobile Login Instructions
For login assistance, contact [email protected].
Conversion of Sick Leave and Vacation Leave Memo (DC 33 and DC 47 members only)
Under the City’s current Sick Leave Policy, Division of Aviation employees who are members of either District Council 33 or District Council 47 may convert two days (15 hours) of sick leave to one day (7.5 hours) of vacation, up to a maximum of twenty days (150 hours) of sick leave to a maximum of ten (10) days (75 hours) vacation. The conversion may be made into whole vacation days only and you must have a balance of eighty days (600 hours) sick days after the conversion. If you wish to convert sick leave to vacation, please complete this memo and return it to:
[email protected] – Departmental Payroll Supervisor
Interoffice to: Division of Aviation, Human Resources Unit, Terminal E
Completed forms must be received no later than March 31, 2021.
Timecard Access - Kronos Desktop Icon
When accessing timecards, please only use the Kronos icon from your desktop.
Emergency Responder Identification Card/Employee City Identification Card Request
Please contact the HR Transactions team to request the form to obtain or renew your Emergency Responder Identification Card and/or City of Philadelphia Employee Identification Card
Emergency Info Reminder: Please take the opportunity to review your personal information in OnePhilly (Employee Self Service). Having accurate information on file is in your best interest in the event of an emergency and/or for life insurance and/or pension benefits. Questions? Contact the HR Transaction Team: Marjorie Howell ([email protected]), Sakora Heath ([email protected]) or Erin Smith ([email protected]).
ID Badge Renewals
Employees can start the badge renewal process up to 45 days in advance of the expiration of their badge. Click the links here for the Reissue form and TSA list of acceptable documents. Please plan accordingly to make sure your badge is renewed before it expires.
- Visit https://phl.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php to schedule your appointment
- Click on Expiring Badge Renewal
- Select the date/time you are available
- Fill in all the requested information (Company you work for is DOA – your unit name) and Click Complete Appointment
OnePhilly Training and Information Sessions
To schedule a personal OnePhilly Training and Information Sessions please contact [email protected]. This is a great opportunity to address login issues, review and update your information and see what is new to OnePhilly. Sessions may be scheduled virtually or in-person. Appointments are required.
COVID-19 Policies and Procedures Questions?
The Division of Aviation’s COVID-19 policies and procedures can be found in the, Safe Work Playbook, viewable on the Division of Aviation Intranet. Continue to follow CDC and City of Philadelphia guidelines.
If you have any additional questions, contact Sheila Trueheart, Deputy CAO or Delicsha Wilds, Deputy of HR at [email protected].
Racial Equity Advisory Council (REAC) Contact Details
If employees have any questions, comments or concerns regarding DOA’s efforts to advance racial equity, please contact us at 215.863.5300 or [email protected].
New Year, New You…Same W-2 Tax Scam- Online Safety Tips From Information Security
Tax season is in full swing, which means criminals will go to great lengths to separate you from your money, your identity, or anything of value that is within their reach. They may offer seemingly legitimate "tax services" that are actually designed to steal your identity and your tax refund. Often times, criminals will lure you in with an offer of larger write-offs or refunds. Such scams might include fake websites and tax forms that look like they belong to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to trick you into providing your personal information.
Due to the rise in data breaches, you should always take steps to minimize your risk of identity theft and other online-related crimes; this is especially important this time of the year. Below are some warning signs to look for and basic precautions you can take to minimize risk and avoid becoming the next victim!
Warning Signs of an Online Tax Scam:
- An email or link requesting personal and/or financial information, such as your name, social security number, bank or credit card account numbers, or any additional security-related information.
- Emails containing various forms of threats or consequences if no response is received, such as additional taxes or blocking access to your funds.
- Emails from the IRS or federal agencies. The IRS will not contact you via email.
- Emails containing exciting offers, tax refunds, incorrect spelling, grammar, or odd phrasing throughout.
- Emails discussing "changes to tax laws." These email scams typically include a downloadable document (usually in PDF format) that purports to explain the new tax laws. However, unbeknownst to many, these downloads are almost always populated with malware that, once downloaded, will infect your computer.
How To Avoid Being a Victim:
- Never Send Sensitive Information in an Email. Information sent through email can be intercepted by criminals. Make sure to consistently check your financial account statements and your credit report for any signs of unauthorized activity.
- Secure Your Computer. Ensure your computer has the latest security updates installed. Check that your anti-virus and anti-spyware software are running properly and receiving automatic updates from the vendor. If you haven't already done so, install and enable a firewall.
- Carefully Select the Sites You Visit. Safely searching for tax forms, advice on deductibles, tax preparers, and other similar topics requires great caution. NEVER visit a site by clicking on a link sent in an email, found on someone's blog, or in an advertisement. The websites you land on might look like legitimate sites, but can also be very well-crafted fakes.
- Be Wise with Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi hotspots are intended to provide convenient access to the internet, however, this convenience can come at a cost. Public Wi-Fi is not secure and is susceptible to eavesdropping by hackers, therefore, never never use public Wi-Fi to file your taxes!
- Look for Clear Signs. Common scams will tout tax rebates, offer great deals on tax preparation, or offer a free tax calculator tool. If you did not solicit the information, it's likely a scam.
- Be on the Watch for Fake IRS Scams. The IRS will not contact you via email, text messaging, or your social network, nor does it advertise on websites. Additionally, if an email appears to be from your employer or bank claiming there is an issue that requires you to verify personal information, this is most likely a scam as well. Don’t respond to these types of emails; always contact the entity directly.
- Always Utilize Strong Passwords. Cybercriminals have developed programs that automate the ability to guess your passwords. To best protect yourself, make your passwords difficult to guess. Passwords should have a minimum of nine characters and include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
If you receive a tax-related phishing or suspicious email at PHL, report it using the Phish Alert Button or forward it to [email protected]. If you receive a similar email on your personal account, the IRS encourages you to forward the original suspicious email (with headers or as an attachment) to its [email protected] email account, or to call the IRS at 800-908-4490. More information about tax scams is available on the IRS website and in the IRS Dirty Dozen list of tax scams.
SEPTA Employee Fare Program Transitions to Key Card - A New Way to Pay
Airport employees that ride SEPTA must now use SEPTA Key cards, loaded with their monthly passes. Fare types and the discount program have not ended, just the way to pay for rides.
To buy a February monthly SEPTA Pass, employees will need a SEPTA Key card, available for purchase for $4.95 at the Hudson News location in D Terminal, Space D5A. Employees can also purchase their discounted monthly SEPTA Passes at that location. Employees that currently have SEPTA Key cards can take their cards to the Hudson Terminal D D5A location to purchase the discounted monthly pass and have it loaded onto their Key cards. Hudson News Terminal D D5A will be the new location to purchase discounted SEPTA fares each month.
SEPTA Key Travel Tips
- Register your new Key card within 30 days of purchase to receive the $4.95 purchase price as a credit in your Key card Travel Wallet.
- Register your Key card to protect your fare in the event your card is ever lost or stolen, by going online to https://www.septakey.org or call the SEPTA Key Customer Call Center at 1-855-567-3782.
- If you ride Transit, tap your Key card at the farebox or turnstile Validator.
- If you ride Regional Rail, remember to TAP On at the platform Validator or station turnstile at the start of your trip and Tap Off at the platform Validator or station turnstile at the end of your trip.
Learn more about the SEPTA Key program by visiting septa.org/key
CEO Chellie Cameron Named Airports Council International – North America U.S. Policy Chair
Chellie Cameron has been elected to serve as chair of the U.S. Policy Council for Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada.
The U.S. Policy Council is the policy making body for federal government programs, legislation, and regulations affecting airport operators. The Council sets ACI-NA's government relations activities to represent and advocate the interests of U.S. airports before Congress and the administration, particularly the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“Chellie will play a key role in working to advance airport priorities and promote commonsense solutions to the immense challenges confronting our industry,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.
As chair of the ACI-NA U.S. Policy Council, Chellie will build consensus among her peers and articulate their priorities to the administration, Capitol Hill and the full aviation industry. Chief among the Council’s focus areas is securing adequate relief funding, which will be critical as airports work to keep infrastructure safe, operational and ready for the future.
Chellie succeeds Rick Tucker, CEO of Huntsville International Airport, who will continue serving as the Immediate Past Chair of the U.S. Policy Council.
PHL Food and Shops Now Offering Curbside Pickup
PHL Food & Shops is now offering curbside pickup through OrderatPHL.com for offsite airport employees. Employees can place their orders using the Grab app or OrderatPHL.com and select Terminal E Curbside from the dropdown delivery choices box (see image). The At Your Gate delivery specialist will meet employees at the Terminal E Departures Road employee shuttle stop location at the time given after ordering. Terminal E is the only terminal curbside pickup option.
The Latest From PHL's Newsroom:
At The Airport:
State of the Art Mass Medical Care Unit Arrives at PHL:
The Philadelphia Fire Department Engine 78 at PHL has put into service a new Mass Medical Care Unit that will improve the deployment of resources should a mass medical emergency occur at the airport. Known as Foxtrot 11, the state-of-the art apparatus replaces a 1982 box truck and 20-foot trailer that needed to be towed to the scene of an incident.
Operations & Security:
PHL Rolls Out Safety Management System
In order to enhance those efforts, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is implementing a Safety Management System (SMS), becoming an early adopter of SMS among U.S. airports.
While Safety Management Systems are becoming the standard at airports around the globe, it is not yet mandatory at U.S. airports though there is legislation in the works to require it in the future. PHL is voluntarily introducing SMS, pointing to the positive impact SMS is shown to have on airport safety initiatives and creating a safety culture.
SMS is used by the Federal Aviation Administration in its internal activities and is required for U.S. scheduled air carriers. The agency is working on the final orders to make SMS mandatory at U.S. airports.
January 2021 Guidance on Domestic and International Travel
President Joe Biden's Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel has gone into effect.
This executive order requires international arrivals to have a negative COVID-19 test result prior to departure from January 26th onwards, and mandates a 10-day quarantine on arrival. Answers to some frequently asked questions about domestic and international travel requirements can be found here.
People at PHL
Employee Profiles: Alec Gever and Ruben DeLeon
Read up on the great work that both Purchasing Manager Alec Gever and Airport Operations Officer Ruben DeLeon do at PHL everyday!
