CHO Airport Blog

Stories about CHO You Don’t Hear on the News!

Thursday, April 17

Ever missed a flight and felt intimidated trying to reschedule? Showed up late and received “the look”? Been the 5th person out of 50 in the screening line, and to your dismay, dump the contents of your purse on the floor instead of the screening bin? Ever wish you were always greeted by smiling agents and sympathetic screeners?

Guess what? Good things do happen, sometimes in more ways than one! Welcome to CHO’s Stories of Service - Number One:

It was late the evening before Valentine’s Day when Corporal Jason Burch was summoned to the US Airways ticket counter. There he found a young man speaking to an airline representative, but not English. Finding no where else to turn that late, Corporal Burch called the services division of Albemarle County Police Department and reached Maryanna Shaw. She kindly agreed to try to speak with this man, and was able to discern he had recently been fired and hoped he had enough cash to fly home to Puerto Rico. When asked for identification, he nervously asked why, but produced a social security card and documents from Puerto Rico. Discovering his destination, he was referred to United Airlines where UAL representative Joshua Wright efficiently booked him on a flight to Puerto Rico early the next morning. Josh even made arrangements with a taxi operator to get him Dulles, there being no remaining United departures. Due to Josh’s efforts, the young man even had $50 left in his pocket.

Being suspicious of the cash, the nervous behavior, and the mix of documentation, Corporal Burch perfomed a quick criminal history records check. Finding nothing, the ticket was issued and the young man left for Dulles. Many thanks were offered to Ms. Shaw and Mr. Wright, both angels of customer service that evening.

Still feeling suspicious, Corporal Burch decided to phone the Dulles Police Department. He shared his story, and they agreed to keep an eye on the young man. Later in his shift (by this time early Valentine’s morning), Corporal Burch received a telephone call from the Waynesboro VA police department. They were seeking an armed robbery suspect, anticipated to try to flee the country. They had a description, but no specific identifying information.

Thanks to Corporal Burch and his suspicions, the Waynesboro Police Department received their valentine as well as his name. They just had to drive to Dulles to pick him up.