Yes, that bird you might see this morning flying around Charlottesville’s skies is a Boeing 757 from the Presidential Fleet out of Andrews Air Force Base. It should be here around 10:30 a.m. and plans on 5 or 6 training maneuvers commonly referred to as “touch and goes”. Enjoy the sight while you ponder who just may have been one of the last passengers on board!
It’s often the little things that count. A decision by an employee that something mundane and everyday that everyone passes by without notice needs changing can make a big difference.
Community Service Officer Matt Whitford is one of those employees. A sign under the canopy outside of baggage claim directing exiting passengers to taxicabs and the rental car parking lot had deteriorated to an unattractive stumbling block. A routine rehab at the sign shop would have cost at least $1,000. Matt decided something had to be done, and put together a presentation illustrating how he proposed to rehab the sign at little cost if he were given the go-ahead to try. He was given a big YES and within a week, thanks to his pride in his workplace and his desire to help in our cost savings program, the front of the terminal includes a much improved attractive sign noticeable for passengers seeking direction. Thanks to Maintenance Technicians Jonathan Shifflett and Steve Shifflett and Public Safety Officer Scott Craver for helping. And a big thanks and CALL OUT to Dallas at Creative Press in Ruckersville for donating the vinyl for lettering.
Who says initiative, teamwork and community kindness no longer exists?
Look for an update-Matt already has a new project underway!
Thanks to Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors’ Real Estate Weekly for voting CHO #10 on it’s TOP 50 Things to Enjoy About Charlottesville. We want to be Central Virginia’s Airport of CHOice, and hope to continue to improve service, frequency, fares and amenities appropriate for an airport our size. Look for a new Frequent Parker Program to start soon, and we hope that pleas to TSA to re-open the observation deck are successful.
A new program is beginning at CHO. As part of a Terminal Enhancement Program, an area is being designated to showcase art and culture in the Central Virginia region. A list of regional artisans or groups representative of the Central Virginia region through the use of diverse mediums is being developed. The intent is to create an innovative or memorable customer experience. If you are with an organization, or have the ability to create museum-quality exhibits, please contact CHO for additional information.
This week’s airline schedule review reveals no new changes at CHO for the next six months. The loss of 2 Cincinnati flights remains in effect for September 2008 as Delta reduces its overall presence there by 27%. Charlottesville is fortunate to have made it through the current industry crisis with as few changes as have been announced, and it is our desire that load factors remain viable to ward off consideration of any future reductions in service. From our recent meetings with airlines, we know there is some interest in market expansion and/or equipment upgrades within the next 18-24 months as long as the local use of CHO remains strong. We plan to be canvassing local corporations this fall seeking data that the airlines have requested-where do you fly, with what frequency, what international destinations, optimal timing of frequent flights utilized by your company, etc. We will incorporate a request for cargo data as well to provide potential cargo carriers with updated data in anticipation of adding cargo service at some point the future.
The initial phase of our future Runway 21 Extension Project goes before the Albemarle Planning Commission tomorrow night. The Virginia Department of Aviation has funds available that will be allocated early this fall, and this project has been bid to compete for these funds. The project includes wetlands mitigation, relocation of a portion of the airport perimeter road, installation of erosion and sediment control measures, and the placement of embankment material that has to be excavated for the roadway relocation. All of this work will occur on airport property and establishes the “sandbox” that will be filled at some point in the future for the runway extension. Bids for this phase of work were received last week. Local contractor Faulconer Construction Company is the apparent low bidder. Hopefully this will be a small boost for the local economy and beneficial for the progress of this very important airport improvement as well.
Have a great week,
Barbara
Soon we will be in discussions with our current airlines as well as prospective ones. This will be a great opportunity for CHO to be the voice of its passengers. Our vision is to be central Virginia’s airport of choice. To do this we need to take a long look at our current focus on customer service and find ways to enhance it. From airlines to car rental agencies, we want your whole experience to be a memorable one. So please feel free to give us your thoughts. What do you think would be worth discussing? any interested destinations? How about the service you have recieved from airlines in your travels through CHO?
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.
The NTSB announced preliminary 2007 aviation accident statistics April 16, 2008 (www.ntsb.gov/pressrel/2008/080416.html). U.S. air carriers operating scheduled flights under 14 CFR Part 121 (aircraft with 10 or more seats) had 24 accidents with 0 fatalities out of 18,700,000 flight hours. Despite the past several week’s aircraft inspection debacle, citizens traveling on domestic flights may fly comforted by the stellar safety record. In the press release, NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker states “However, we must not become complacent. We must continue to take the lessons learned from our investigations and use them to create even safer skies for all aircraft operators and their passengers.” There were 491 fatalities among 1,631 general aviation aircraft accidents (out of 23,835,000 flight hours), a 40 year low. 18 million and 23 million flight hours? I will take those odds any day! See data at www.ntsb.gov/aviation/stats.htm.
The CHO Connection…Your Airport Blog It doesn’t get any more direct than this! An interactive community that receives contributions from customers, passengers, tenants, and airport employees; our goal is to provide the most up-to-date travel information possible to help make your memories at CHO lasting ones. With your help we will forge new relationships and make Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport your favorite way to travel.
Twitter Feed
