in the United States to participate in Operation Allies Refuge. An array of city, state, and federal agencies as well as local hospitals and non-profit partners are in Terminal A-East providing critical services, including medical support, translation, screenings, supplies, transportation and more. PHL is proud to serve as part of this critical mission. Thank you to the airport operational teams dedicated to this 24/7 operation, which served more than 3,000 evacuees before September even began. The tempo of these flights has been incredible, and Philly has risen to the occasion in a powerful way. 

Looking at the business side of our work, this summer the terminals were filled with guests—quite a difference from 2020. If you were at PHL on a peak travel day, you might have thought we were at our pre-COVID passenger volume levels. The reality is that our passenger traffic was about 70 percent of our record setting 2019 totals, with most of our guests taking domestic and Caribbean vacations. There was very little transatlantic and business travel, which are the keys to PHL’s recovery and success because they sustain our air travel during off-season months.   

This is a critical time for the Division of Aviation. We anticipated a drop in passenger travel after Labor Day, but with the delta variant causing a surge in COVID cases around the world and the reinstitution of travel restrictions, routes we anticipated to resume this fall and winter are being delayed again. Among the delayed routes are Madrid, Paris and Rome, which will not return until 2022. Hopefully, continued diligent vaccination efforts and health protocols will help quell the virus’ most recent resurgence and allow the public to travel safely at home and abroad.  

You can track how COVID-19 is impacting PHL’s passenger and cargo activity by reviewing monthly reports compiled by the Finance Department and posted on our website. These documents compare our passenger traffic, aircraft operations and cargo activity month over month and calendar year over year, dating back to 2006. Our newly promoted Controller, Mike Myers, does an excellent job of collecting data from our airline and cargo partners, compiling and distributing the reports every month. Information from two months prior is posted online around the first of every month. I encourage all staff members to visit the activity reports web page regularly. 

Stay safe, 

Chellie 

Upcoming Community Event

Tinicum Township will hold a September 11 memorial tribute on Saturday, September 11 (rain date September 12) from 12-7 p.m. at Printz Park, Taylor Avenue and W. 2^nd Street, Essington. The event will honor members of the U.S. military and first responders and include live music, color guard, food and craft vendors, raffles, 50/50 and kids zone. Tickets are $10 for children over 12 and adults.  Children under 12 are free. Proceeds benefit the Liberty USO at PHL and the Tinicum Fire and Police Department.

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PHL Honored by FAA and NEC-AAAE

PHL received the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 2021 Civil Rights Advocate and Partner Award for DBE/ACDBE Programs. The award, which recognized PHL for its efforts in small business outreach and attainment, was presented at the FAA’s Airport Civil Rights Training Conference. Congratulations to Deputy Director of Aviation for Diversity and Inclusion Kathy Padilla and her team for their outstanding work.

​​PHL was also recently recognized by the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (NEC-AAAE), receiving honorable mention in the Large Hub category for the Balchen-Post Award for Excellence in the Performance of Airport Snow and Ice Control.  The award was announced at the NEC-AAAE annual conference. CEO Chellie Cameron and COO Keith Brune presented the award to PHL’s Pavement and Grounds (P&G) team on August 19.

PHL has more than 40 million square feet of runways, taxiways and aprons (the equivalent of 631 lane miles or the distance from Philadelphia to Lexington, Kentucky) and an additional 11.9 million square feet (188 lane miles) of roadways, I-95 ramps and parking lots in and around the airport. During snow and ice events, the P&G team works around the clock to keep these arteries clear for airline operations and passenger traffic.

HR Updates

TSA Mask Mandate

AT THE AIRPORT, EVEN IN AREAS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, MASKS ARE REQUIRED PER TSA DIRECTIVE THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2022.

City Mask Mandate - Proof of Vaccination

Effective Wednesday, September 1, 2021, all City employees will be required to provide proof that they’ve completed their schedule of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Employees may provide a copy of their official vaccination card or other appropriate medical documentation—this can be uploaded in OnePhilly through Employee Self-Service or presented to the employee’s HR manager by this date. Employees will earn 4 hours of special compensatory time once they provide this proof.

Not fully vaccinated employees:

1. WILL BE REQUIRED TO DOUBLE-MASK AT ALL TIMES (CLOTH MASK OVER A SURGICAL MASK WHILE WORKING ON-SITE)
2. May be required to participate in regular COVID-19 testing in the future.

Fully vaccinated employees:

1. Will need to only wear one mask.
2. If you have not uploaded your vaccination card into OnePhilly, you will be expected to double masks. Instructions can be found here.

Masks may be removed if the employee is in an office alone with the door closed or while eating and drinking at least 6 feet from others, as well as outdoors.

Vaccination cards in OnePhilly!

Only vaccination cards that have been uploaded into OnePhilly are accepted as Proof of Vaccination. Employees presenting their vaccination card on-site will need to continue double masking until upload is complete and your record is updated in OnePhilly.

2020-2021 Performance Reports

Performance reports were due August 15. Return signed performance evaluations to [email protected] ASAP. If you need support with completing your reports, please contact [email protected] or at 215-863-3464.

As a reminder per DC 47’s contract Performance Evaluations for DC 47 employees that are not returned to Human Resources within 90 days of the due date cannot be processed. Late reports submitted will be returned.

Virtual Work Agreements

Virtual Work Agreement were due July 30. Submissions can still be returned via email to [email protected] or in person to the D or E Terminal reception desk. Agreements missing a start date for virtual work of the frequency of follow-up meetings to discuss the status of the arrangement will be returned to the supervisor for revision.

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.

AL Day Reminder

Friendly reminder that all FY21 carryover AL Days must be used no later than September 30, 2021. Please note, if you do not use them by this date, they will be forfeited.

Staffing Priorities

In August, HR met with the Executive team to gather organizational staffing priorities. The staffing plan is expected to be approved and prioritized by the Executive team this month to address and alleviate staffing strains.

Return to Office – Phase 1 Extended Through January 18, 2022

Due to rising COVID-19 cases, the Division of Aviation will continue to follow the protocols implemented in Phase 1 of the Return to Office action plan.  DOA will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases and agency guidelines (CDC, City, Health Dept, and TSA). 

ASU Mail Schedule

Please see attached mail schedule for the Division of Aviation. Times are estimated. Departments will be notified in the event of any major changes to the schedule. Locations not listed must be specially requested. Shipments dropped off after 11:30 AM will be scheduled for the next day. Employees should notify ASU before placing security sensitive information (SSI) or mail with monetary value into the outbox. Contact [email protected] for further details.

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

PHL WELL

Maintaining a healthy work/home balance the past 18 months has been a challenge for everyone. To help its employees bridge the gap between the workplace and home, the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation Human Resources created PHL WELL, a program that educates, informs, and engages employees on how to manage their physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. “The PHL WELL program is stacked with articles, videos, infographics, brown bag workshops, challenges, and reminders, to provide all airport staff with tools and encouragement not only so they can succeed, but so they can help their loved ones be well, too,” said Stacey Moragne, Executive Assistant (HR).

The first PHL WELL activity is the “Hydration Station”, which challenges Division of Aviation staff to increase their daily water consumption and minimize the intake of sugary fluids from their diets. Participants registered through PHL University, the airport’s online training platform, and were asked to record videos drinking a minimum of eight ounces of water. Employees receive one point for each ounce of water they drink (two extra points for using PHL water bottles in their videos, or four if using the water bottles and wearing a PHL t-shirt). The program will have weekly winners for the most water consumed, and most points earned, as well as an overall winner for the highest total points, to be announced on September 27.

“This friendly competition is a great way to get our employees to be healthy,” said Delicsha Wilds, Deputy Director of Aviation for HR. “We think their efforts will inspire their colleagues and our passengers.”

CONGRATULTIONS to our first week winner of Hydration station, Mae Mitchell from Purchasing Administration unit!

August Staff Promotions and New Hires

Congratulations to the following Division of Aviation employees promoted in the month of August:

• Jason Clagg — Airport Operations Officer Supervisor
• Martisha Stone — Custodial Supervisor 1
• Tara McSorley — Airport Communication Service Supervisor
• Troy Flowers — Custodial Supervisor 1

Welcome the following new Division of Aviation employee hired in August:

• Morris Fulcher — Industrial Electrician

PHL Director of Safety Management Systems David Staples Appointed to NEC-AAAE Board of Directors  

David Staples, director of Safety Management Systems at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (NEC-AAAE) for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2022.   Staples, who has been a member of has been a AAAE member for ten years,  achieved Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E) status in 2018. 

Construction on PHL’s Long-Awaited Pavement & Grounds Facility Begins  

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) celebrated the beginning of construction of its Pavement and Grounds (P&G) headquarters (“Building A”) with a groundbreaking ceremony on August 10. Joining PHL CEO Chellie Cameron at the building site were airport P&G and Facilities & Maintenance team leaders and members; City of Philadelphia and Division of Aviation procurement staff; members of PHL’s Capital Development Group; and representatives from the facility’s design team and prime contractors, AP Construction, EJ Electric and Surety Mechanical. 

Information Security Tips/Trends  

Safety While Using Mobile Payment Services  

The rise of digital payment services such as Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, and Zelle have ushered in a new era of financial transactions. Boosted now by the pandemic, these touchless payment options have made it faster and more convenient to send and receive money than ever before. There’s no cash, no checks, no waiting at all. Money is instantly transferred from one bank account to another with the tap of a button. It’s no wonder roughly four out of five Americans use them. Unfortunately, the same simplicity and convenience that attracts us also attracts thieves and scammers. A review of digital payment service complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau showed a 300% raise from last year, with many of the complainers having lost money to scams or fraud. In each of these cases, the transactions are instantaneous and often initiated by the person being scammed, so the protections you have with normal bank transactions do not apply. In fact, there really aren’t any protections in place once your money leaves your digital payment account and goes to someone else’s. When the money is gone neither your bank nor the company that operates the app can do anything to get it back, so it is critical that individuals take steps to protect themselves. 

Follow these tips to help keep you and your money safe: 

• Only send money to people you know and trust. 
• Verify and double-check recipient information before sending payment. 
• Be suspicious of any request for a payment you were not expecting. 
• Don’t send money to someone promising something in the future (such as free money in return). 
• Treat money in your digital payment app like hard cash.   
• If possible, keep a separate bank account to link to digital payment accounts. Do not link digital payment accounts to all your funds. 
• If sending money for the first time via a digital payment app, even to a person you know, send $1 as a test, and verify the person received the payment or have the person send a request directly to you. 
• Make your transactions private wherever possible. 
• Never give out sensitive information over the phone, even if the person claims to work for the digital payment app. 
• Report suspicious activity or scams directly to the digital payment app’s support. 

For more information on how to stay safe, visit your digital payment app’s website for app specific recommendations. 

Safety  

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! 

The latest from PHL's Online Newsroom 

At the Airport:   

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 summer, and the Economy Lot closed, passengers should plan carefully for other transportation options to reduce stress and enjoy a safe, streamlined transportation experience. 

The Airport Guest Experience Following 9/11 

With national security on high alert and new airport check-in measures in place, many passengers returning to air travel following the events of September 11, 2001, were anxious. New rules and regulations meant that passengers had to arrive at the airport hours before their flights and wait for flights without non-ticketed guests. Airports were tasked with keeping guests relaxed and occupied for the extended times they were spending in the terminals before takeoff.    

Masks Required at PHL Through January 18, 2022 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will extend its mask requirement for transportation systems until January 18, 2022, due to concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant. 

Art As a Champion for Social Justice  

Guests traveling through Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will note that the work of several artists on exhibition through the PHL Airport Art Program was influenced by events happening in the U.S. and around the world.   

Traveling Through PHL with Children: Insider Tips 

No matter if it’s your first trip or your fifth trip, air travel with children can be daunting. The realities of the COVID-19 pandemic have compounded those challenges. Elizabeth Moselle, PHL’s Assistant Director of Guest Experience and a mother herself, has put together some insider tips to help relieve the stress and make your family’s journey through PHL smooth and enjoyable for everyone. 

Capital Development:  

Api Appulingam Appointed AAAE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Vice Chair  

Api Appulingam, P.E., Deputy Director of Aviation-Capital Development for the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation, was appointed Vice Chair of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee for 2021-22. 

Airline News:  

Welcome Back Lufthansa  

Lufthansa Airlines is back at PHL, offering direct service between Philadelphia and sister city Frankfurt, Germany, three times per week.   

Frontier Offers PHL Passengers Another Caribbean Option  

Frontier Airlines is adding nonstop service three times a week to Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, Bahamas. 

Operations & Security:  

PHL Honored by NEC-AAAE for Snow Response Efforts  

PHL received honorable mention in the Large Hub category for the Balchen-Post Award for Excellence in the Performance of Airport Snow and Ice Control.  The award was presented at the NEC-AAAE annual conference on August 16.   

People at PHL:  

Latia Hayes Enjoys Spreading Positivity Through HR Trainings  

PHL Launches New Employee Recognition Program 

PHL Impression Maker: JetBlue Airways Airport Operations Crewmember Ken Bowen 

PHL Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: AtYourGate Operations Manager Claire Maddocks