JetBlue Airways Airport Operations crew member Edward Aiello recently received the “Caring Support” award in PHL’s Airport Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes employees who provide exceptional care and services to seniors, families with young children, disabled passengers, and others with special needs.
Aiello has been with JetBlue for 20 years, serving most of those years at Fort-Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and the past six years at PHL. On any given day, he checks in passengers, helps them board the plane, and assists with other aspects as needed.
“I transferred to PHL to be closer to my family as I am originally from the South Jersey area,” said Aiello. “I’m a Jersey boy at heart.”
He enjoys his job, where no two days are the same. The travel and flexibility make it difficult for Aiello to imagine working a fixed schedule.
“I've always been a people person,” said Aiello. “This job taught me how to speak to a large group of people and take control of a situation. It’s about being fair and understanding.”
In her recommendation of Aiello, JetBlue Supervisor Pamela Rivers stated, “Edward displayed an immense amount of compassion with Afghan evacuees that recently passed through PHL as part of Operation Allies Welcome. A child signaled to him by tugging on his pant leg and calling out for water. He not only provided water to the child but went to retrieve snacks for all the children and bottles of water for the additional family members.” Aiello also helped the evacuees in boarding the flight.
“I felt so bad for their situation,” said Aiello. “It felt good to help them.”
Within JetBlue, Aiello is part of the Care and Emergency Response Team that assists compassionately in the event of an emergency.
His coworkers commend him on his strong work ethic, including customer-centrism, teamwork, proactive communication, effectiveness, and respect.
“Coworkers can make any job you have the best or the worst,” said Aiello. “I am lucky to be working with the best. I have always liked working for JetBlue, and my team here at PHL really makes it a pleasure. On our good days, we enjoy each other's company. On the not-so-good days, we can really make each other laugh about the craziness we just worked through. I have a great sense of humor and always want to leave them laughing.”
Not only does Aiello love South Jersey he also enjoys everything the City of Brotherly Love has to offer.
“Philadelphia is a great city with so much history and so much to do,” said Aiello. “The food choices are amazing, as are the special events during the summer season.”
Aiello enjoys assisting all customers and providing directions to different places, including COVID-19 testing centers.
“I wish customers knew about how we go out of our way to try and help them,” said Aiello.
The PHL Employee Recognition Program was established by the airport’s Guest Experience (GX) Department. Honorees are nominated by their peers and selected by the GX Council Steering Committee’s Employee Conduct and Recognition Committee. To nominate an employee click here. For more information about the program, click here.
