I’m sure as many of you prepare to come back to your offices, you’ll feel like you did when getting ready  for the first day of school- butterflies from the excitement of seeing friends in person (and not on a computer screen)  mixed with the nervousness of the changes that have been made to keep us healthy and safe.  

We know it won’t be “business as usual” at first. Our colleagues who have been working virtually will need to get back into the routine of coming to the airport while still working at home a few days a week. Staff who have been on site will need to adjust to seeing more friendly faces in the halls and common areas. Thank you to our ReWork team for many months of hard work preparing our workspaces, coordinating with the City and communicating plans with the entire Division of Aviation to make this transition back to the office easier for everyone. 

 I also want to thank our IT Department for everything they did to get staff set up in their home offices in a short period of time, keeping everyone up and running on- and offsite for the past 16 months and the preparations they have taken for July 12.  

I know you have read over the City’s Safe Return to Work Guidelines that were emailed to our staff on June 16. I encourage you to review those and additional recent ReWork team announcements before July 12 to make yourself familiar with current policies. Remember, while the City lifted the mask mandate for fully vaccinated people, face masks must be worn by everyone inside the airport until September 13.  

At this time, supervisors and their staff members should have worked out their in-office schedules and entered those in our Teams scheduling system. This is an important task that will help us have an idea of how many people are in the offices every day. Please stay in touch with your supervisor on your weekly scheduling plans. Also be sure to look for announcements regarding employee parking. The Bartram Avenue employee parking lot has opened on a voluntary basis as we work on shuttle operations. Division of Aviation staff can park in the orange, red and purple multi-purpose lots, and the garages, International Plaza and Cargo City lot are options (there is no shuttle service from IP and Cargo City). 

Our team has been awesome over the past 16 months, meeting deadlines and dealing with the many challenges of a global pandemic while not being in the same facility. I can’t wait to thank you all in person beginning on the 12th.  

Have a safe and enjoyable July 4th holiday! See you soon! 

Chellie 

HR Updates

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

Employee Parking & Return to Office Guidelines

An increase in passenger on-site parking has caused stress for employees that have been using the garages, making many late for shifts while searching for spots.  We are finalizing the new employee parking plan that will take effect on July 12 and will announce the directions shortly. In the interim, through July 11, Division of Aviation frontline employees should park in the purple, orange or red multi-purpose lots.  

• There are 72 spots available in the purple lot (including two accessible spots), 35 in the orange lot and 7 in the red lot.  
• Spots are available for DOA staff only. Please display your most current parking permit, even if it is expired. 
• The requirement to display a parking permit will be relaxed from June 26-July 11 only. 

Employees able to take SEPTA are encouraged to do so.  

Return to Office Expectations 

•  All employees must complete the daily questionnaire prior to the start of their work shift.  
• Density and capacity restrictions will no longer be required. It is still recommended that employees and the public maintain a safe distance between themselves and others, especially if they are unvaccinated.   
• TSA requires the proper wearing of face masks per federal law; therefore, masks remain a requirement inside all airport premises for employees and passengers. This mandate is in effect through September 13, 2021. Facemasks are not required on outdoor airport property.
• Employees must wear a mask when operating a City vehicle if there is more than one person in the vehicle.  
• Employees should wash their hands frequently or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when water and soap is not available. Use tissues or the crook of the arm or inner elbow to control coughs, sneezes, and the spread of germs.  
• Please note face shields are not recommended as a replacement for a mask. While the plastic barrier appears to cover the whole face, the shield is really only protecting your eyes and skin on your face, not your nose and mouth from inhaling or spraying droplets into the air around you. However whenever used in conjunction with a mask, a face shield provides an extra level of protection.  

To Assist in the Transition: 

• As a reminder, please make sure to renew your Airport badge as soon as possible if expiring in July. Click here to schedule your appointment.
• Employees will have access to PPE equipment including masks, hand sanitizer and wipes for shared use by units
• Relaxation of the Dress Code Policy until September 13, 2021. The dress down Friday attire will be acceptable Monday – Friday.  The following are examples of improper office attire as part of the relaxed dress code: sweatpants, shorts, ripped jeans, tank tops, and flip flops.  

1. Employees currently utilizing OnePhilly self-entry will continue to record and submit their timecards using this method until further notice.   
2. While social distancing protocols have been removed, the Division of Aviation recognizes that employees may not be comfortable with transitioning to work onsite at full capacity.  Therefore, the Airport will limit maximum capacity in shared workspaces and common areas.  
3. The Airport will continue to utilize virtual meeting platforms as much as possible.  When in-person meetings are necessary, we will limit capacity and require masking.  To provide privacy for employees who work in highly populated areas, we have identified touchdown workstations and quiet spaces which employees must reserve for use.  
4. In its continuing efforts to introduce measures to help mitigate the transmission and spread of COVID-19, the airport is adopting air cleaning technology known as Bipolar Ionization (BI) within the complex’s air conditioning and heating systems.  In addition to the public areas of the airport, the system has been or is in the process of being installed in employee areas.  
5. 2021 parking passes are valid until further notice. Employees using 2020 or older parking passes will be towed. For additional questions or assistance, please contact [email protected]. 

City’s 9th Policy Statement Regarding COVID-19 

On June 11, the City issued their 9th Policy Statement re:COVID-19. Highlights include: 

Onsite/Offsite Work –  

1. Onsite work must be performed in accordance with the City’s Safe Return to Work Guidelines which include a general safety checklist. 
2. Departments may permit employees to work virtually, subject to the guidelines set forth in the Virtual Return to Work Policy for City Employees. 

Public Health Guidelines –  

1. Employees should follow guidance from the Department of Public Health as to when quarantine/isolation is necessary, attached. 
2. Questions related to quarantine/isolation may be forwarded to [email protected].  

Leave Usage 

1. General Leave Usage – Employees who are not present for work, including for non-workplace-based COVID-19 quarantines, must use approved leave such as vacation, compensatory time, sick leave, or approved unpaid leave. If leave is not approved, the employee will be marked AWOL.  
2. COVID Excused Time – Employees will only be granted COVID Excused Time if they are required to self-quarantine at the direction of a departmental safety officer or human resources professional due to close contact with an individual potentially infected with COVID-19 while at work. 
3. Leave Time for Vaccinated Employees – Fully-vaccinated employees who provide proof of their vaccination status before December 31, 2021 may receive four hours’ special compensatory time. Instructions for uploading vaccination cards can be found here: Uploading vaccine card in OnePhilly. 

The airport is updating our PHL/PNE Safe Work Playbook in accordance with the updated guidelines.  The City and Airport continue to follow CDC guidelines. Questions regarding this policy may be sent to [email protected]. 

Virtual Work 

It is the expectation that all employees who are requesting to work a hybrid schedule complete a Virtual Work Agreement with their supervisor. 

• Virtual Work Agreements will be emailed and mailed and can be returned via email to [email protected] or in person to the D or E Terminal reception desk by July 23, 2021.   

While the content for Virtual Work Agreements may vary by unit, it is key that the agreement contain the following information:  

• Start date of the Virtual Work Agreement (No later than July 12, 2021).  
• Frequency of follow up meetings to discuss status of Virtual Work Arrangement.  

Based on our current flexible work schedule for non-shift workers, work hours will range between 7:30 AM- 5:30 PM.  Core hours remain as 9:30 AM- 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM.  Any work schedule arrangements outside of the normal hours must be authorized by the supervisor.  

• MANDATORY Return to Office Orientation for virtual workers which includes an overview of the Safe Work Playbook and updated City & Airport policies will occur from July 12-July 23, 2021. Date, time and location will be forwarded to employees directly via email

Virtual Work is a privilege offered by the City to its employees to further promote work-life balance.  Permission to engage in work may be rescinded if operational needs are not being met.  

Aviation Early Retirement Program – 45-Day Review Period ends July 17

The Aviation Early Retirement Program's 45-day review period ends on July 17. Employees that have opted in to the program must retire by that day. Eligible employees may change their benefit choice and/or opt-out during this time. Retirement/separation dates may be changed with supervisory approval. 

Individual retirement meetings will be scheduled with HR on your last day to sign your paperwork and return equipment.   

Every Tuesday through July 13, HR is hosting onsite information sessions from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the HR Training Room.  Please use this as an opportunity to ask questions and review paperwork with HR staff.   

Employees who wish to opt-out may email [email protected] or call 215-863-3947 (EZHR) and leave a message. 

Employee Milestones:

Congratulations and best wishes to the following employees who retired in the month of June:

Clinton West Jr — Arprt P&G Group Leader

Kenneth Darby Jr — Airport Operations Officer

Mary Brown — Custodial Worker 2

Denise Speas — Administrative Specialist 2

Balis Pressley — Dept Inventory Manager

Sheila Trueheart — Chief of Staff

Floyd Sutton — Custodial Worker 2

Frank Lovett — Window Washer 1

Kenneth A Haines — Painter 2

Du Juan Parish — Custodial Work Crew Chief

Barbara Jefferson — Custodial Worker 2

Janet Everett-Sway — Custodial Work Crew Chief

Joseph Keith Sr — Custodial Worker 2

Philip Montgomery Sr — Custodial Work Supervisor 1

Lawrence Jordan — Custodial Work Supervisor 2

Peggy Bennett — Airport Comm Center Oper 2

Eugene Jastremski — Industrial Electrician Group Leader

Saron McKee Named Director of Access and Accessible Programs  

Saron McKee has been named Director of Access and Accessible Programs for the Division of Aviation. Saron, who joined the Division of Aviation in January 2020, will ensure that the airport is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and all applicable requirements, develop and oversee programs for people with disabilities, work with stakeholders to ensure that they comply with requirements and laws and ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to all public aspects of the airport. 

Api Appulingam Appointed to Free Library of Philadelphia Board of Trustees 

Congratulations to Api Appulingam, Deputy Director of Aviation- Capital Development. Api was appointed to the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Board of Trustees by Mayor Jim Kenney. This is a 10-year appointment.

New PHL Cargo Expansion Strategy 

The Division of Aviation held a series of public virtual events on June 15 to present the new PHL Cargo Expansion Strategy. The plan will expand the airport’s air cargo facility footprint by 136 acres and almost triple its cargo building square footage from 600,000 to 1.4 million. PHL also announced a facility redevelopment partnership with Aviation Facilities Company (AFCO) and its new membership with The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). 

“This initiative will have a massive economic impact on the region and cement Philadelphia’s status as an intermodal logistics hub,” said PHL CEO Chellie Cameron. “We are thrilled to begin this work in partnership with our interdisciplinary partners to drive both immediate and long-term growth.” 

A study commissioned in 2017 by PHL revealed that the airport captures only 9% of a potential $53 billion air cargo opportunity passing through its catchment area. PHL’s leadership team leveraged its aviation expertise to partner with peer agencies and plan redevelopment of the area, which is located in Tinicum Township and was purchased in 2018. The program has the potential to create more than 28,000 jobs and drive billions of dollars in direct economic impact to the region in coming years. 

The proposed plan includes the construction of cargo buildings totaling more than 1 million square feet, bringing PHL’s total cargo building square footage to 1.4 million. PHL is also approved to construct more than 5 million square feet of taxiway and apron pavement to accommodate increased aircraft operations, which would occur during mostly evening and overnight hours. 

The expansion program relies on numerous infrastructure projects to prepare the property. PHL has already invested $90 million through airport revenue bonds and some small grants to enable the development of the site. These projects include an environmental assessment, a $30 million wetlands mitigation project, the construction of a $40 million aircraft parking apron and the $22 million relocation of a one-mile stretch of road that currently bisects the property. Additional needs, like demolition of existing buildings and installation of utility infrastructure, are also part of the program. 

To learn more about the PHL Cargo Expansion Strategy and view the PowerPoint Presentation, click here.  

Safety Update

Have a Safety Concern?  Report it! 

We want to hear from you!  All airport employees regardless of position or level in the organization are encouraged to report safety concerns at https://www.phl.org/SMS/report-hazard, OR via phone at x7233 (xSAFE) from any airport telephone. Reports are confidential and can be anonymous unless you choose to provide contact information.  It is important to know that when we share information in SMS, we do so with the intention of learning and improving our practices, not finding fault in one another.   

For any questions or additional information regarding the SMS, please contact the SMS team at [email protected].  Feel free to visit our website www.phl.org/sms to learn more.  We look forward to working with you to improve safety at PHL.  

Information Security  

Travel is heating back up, and so are travel scams 

As COVID-19 related restrictions begin to ease around the country and around the world, many people have their sights set on their next vacation. The pandemic facilitated a new breadth of internet scams, but as travel begins to pick back up so too are travel scams. These scams come in various forms, but the goal of the scammer is almost always to get the victim’s credit card or other financial information. Between January and March of 2021, an estimated $26 million was lost to travel related scams according to the Federal Trade Commission. Eager travelers, having been grounded for over a year, make prime targets for scammers. 

Common Travel Scams 

• Fake Airfare: Scammers lure victims by advertising staggeringly low prices on airfare packages. Scammers may claim to be associated with a legitimate airline, travel agency, or reseller. Victims purchase “tickets” through the scammers, either via a website or over the phone by calling a Customer Support number. The victim often receives a confirmation email or some follow-ups to keep them unsuspecting for as long as possible, but the tickets are never delivered. 
  
   
• Fake Hotel Rooms: Much like the fake airfare scams, scammers will entice victims with low rates on hotel rooms. Sometimes these are coupled with fake airfare to make the entire deal almost too good to be true. Victims hand over their payment information as they daydream of white-sand beaches while the scammers begin racking up debt at the victim’s expense. 
  
   
• Fake Car Rentals: A surprisingly common travel scam are bogus car rentals. Widespread car shortages have raised car rental rates and have left travelers hunting for better deals on lesser-known travel websites which leaves them much more vulnerable to these scams. 
  
   
• Spoofed Websites: Some scammers have gone to the extent of creating fake websites that look like legitimate airline, airport, or travel agency sites. These sites may pull information and packages from the legitimate websites they mimic, making them more difficult to spot. 

Protecting Yourself Against Travel Scams 

• Always do your homework. Lesser-known companies aren’t always scams, but it is important to know who you are doing business with and what their return and cancellation policies are before ever handing over your information. 
  
   
• Use a Credit Card, rather than debit card, gift card, or wire transfers, when booking. Most credit card companies can help fight fraudulent charges and get that money back. 
  
   
• Be suspicious of unknown, or unsolicited emails and phone calls. Scammers will actively seek out new victims over the phone and through email. Don’t respond to unsolicited emails, as this confirms for the scammers the email is live and active. Similarly, resist the urge to press a number to opt out of spam calls as this confirms for the scammers they have a live phone number. 
  
   
• Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true. The low prices we saw in the travel industry over the pandemic are largely fading away as travel picks back up, and the deals that were once realistic may no longer be. No matter where you see the deal, on an advertisement or what looks like a legitimate source, always use your instinct, and do your research. 
  
   
• Be wary of spoofed websites. Scammers have gotten increasingly good at spoofing legitimate websites. Pay attention to the URLs and ensure you are on the website you think you are before providing any information. 

Community Events 

Looking for something to do with your family and friends?  Consider the following community events.  

Batting with the Eighth District Wiffle Ball Tournament

Friday, July 16, 6-10 p.m., 3295 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, 19114 

This event is hosted by the Eighth Police District Advisory Council. Participants must be 18 to play, but there will be activities for children. For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/8thPDAC/.  

Tinicum Farmer’s Market

Every other Wednesday through September 22, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Governor Printz Park, 101 Taylor Avenue, Essington, PA 19029 

This is the ninth year for the Tinicum Farmer’s Market.  Vendors grow and produce their own products,  providing fresh, quality goods and promoting local businesses.  Look for the PHL table on July 14 and August 11.

 The market includes live music, games and and fun for the whole family. Attendees can purchase hot food, donuts, crafts, homemade soaps, dog treats, specialty sauces, candies and more.  

PHL Welcomes Back Volunteers and Wagging Tails Brigade

The airport’s terminals will have more friendly faces and furry paws beginning this summer.  Members of the PHL Wagging Tails Brigade returned to welcome guests on June 14 and the volunteer program resumed on July 1. Both programs had been placed on hold due to COVID-19 health and safety precautions.  

PHL’s volunteer program is celebrating its 20th year in 2021. The program, part of the airport’s Guest Experience Department, is managed by Travelers Aid and coordinated on-site by Christine Datesman.

The Latest From PHL's Newsroom 

At the Airport: 

PHL Maintenance Team Preps Airport for Busy Summer Travel Season  

While it may be some time before travelers return to airports in pre-pandemic numbers, there are clear signs that air travel is picking up and airports are expected to be busy during the popular summer vacation months. On Memorial Day, the Transportation Security Administration announced that 1,900,170 individuals were screened at security checkpoints nationwide – the most since the start of the pandemic. The Memorial Day total eclipsed the 1,863,697 on May 23 and was followed by 1,650,454 on June 1. 

Who Does What at PHL? 

Guests traveling through Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will interact with several organizations during their visits, usually without even knowing it. The City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation owns and operates PHL, but there are hundreds of organizations working together with the Division of Aviation to serve our passengers.   

To Wear or Not to Wear? When are Facemasks Required at PHL? 

Local and federal COVID-19 guidance have changed rapidly over the past several weeks as vaccination rates have increased. What does that mean for guests at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)?   

Simply put, face masks must be worn while in airports and on planes until September 13, 2021. This federal order is enforced by the TSA. However, masks do not need to be worn in outdoor settings on airport property.   

Summer 2021 Philadelphia Airport Parking Options  

The summer travel season is in full swing at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and a return of passengers means increased usage of parking and ground transportation resources. With onsite garages filling up rapidly through the Fourth of July weekend, and the Economy Lot closed, passengers should plan carefully for other transportation options to reduce stress and enjoy a safe, streamlined transportation experience. 

Capital Development: 

City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation Celebrates Women in Engineering  

Happy International Women in Engineering Day! The City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation is proud of the important projects being led by its women engineers at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE).  This work enhances the guest experience, brings innovation to our airfields and terminals and strengthen our regional economic impact. 

Operations & Security: 

A Look at How Airport Security has Evolved Post 9-11 

On September 10, 2001, anyone – even those who weren’t flying out – could come to the airport and pass through the security checkpoint to enter the secure area. At the checkpoint, screeners employed by private companies hired by the airlines scanned carry-on bags. Anyone passing through the checkpoint could do so without taking off shoes, belts, and outerwear or removing items from their carry-ons. Liquids, gels and aerosols in any quantity could be brought through the checkpoint. Unless something set off the metal detector that could require extra screening, going through security in an airport was a relatively benign, routine exercise – on and up until September 10, 2001. 

Antimicrobial Bins Arrive at PHL’s TSA Checkpoints  

In light of the germ-wariness amplified by the pandemic, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), in its ongoing campaign to create a healthier and safer experience for guests and employees, has partnered with SecurityPoint Media to bring the SecureTray System® and its TSA bin antimicrobial technology to airport checkpoints. 

Sustainability:  

Division of Aviation Working with Our Community to Expand Sustainability Efforts  

The Division of Aviation is working closely with our City counterparts and leadership to ensure alignment and to avoid missed opportunities. This collaboration has already paid dividends. We are partnering with the City’s Zero Waste Working Group to reduce food waste.  Further, our existing arrangement with the Philadelphia Water Department to convert de-icing fluid to energy through anaerobic digestion will continue to reduce energy use and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.  

PNE:  

Leonardo Helicopters recently delivered the first of 130 TH-73A training helicopters assembled at the company’s Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) facility to the U.S. Navy. The keys to the aircraft were presented to Vice Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, commander of Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, at a ceremony held at Leonardo’s PNE hangar.   

People at PHL: 

PHL Celebrates Juneteenth  

Juneteenth is an annual holiday that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, marks the day (June 19, 1865) when news of the end of slavery reached Galveston, TX, one of the deepest parts of the Confederacy. Read how PHL celebrated. 

Meet Ashlee Franklin:  

Ashlee Franklin’s vibrant personality exudes positivity in all the trainings and meetings she presents,  especially the “Thurs-yay Water Cooler Conversations,” a bi-weekly meeting she assisted in developing to provide a virtual platform for employees to connect socially.