The new Commercial Vehicle Hold Lot accommodates drivers of commercial vehicles, including taxis, shuttles and limos.
By Anika Robertson Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Dec. 22 officially opened its Commercial Vehicle Hold Lot, the first completed facility under the ATLNext capital improvement program and the first City-owned building to house a solar production facility.
This solar array is expected to generate annually about 100,000-kilowatt hours of electricity, which will be used to help power the new CV Hold Lot facility. Given this and other features, the facility is on track to achieve LEED Gold certification, furthering the City’s and Hartsfield-Jackson’s commitment to resource conservation and operational savings.
”Hartsfield-Jackson is aiming to become one of the greenest airports on the planet,” Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr. said. “With this project, we take one more important step toward that milestone.”
As a staging area for commercial vehicles – including taxis, shuttles, commercial buses, local/regional shared rides and limos – the 4,500-square-foot facility houses a lounge for drivers and Ground Transportation’s administrative offices.
Energy conservation was a major focus throughout the project. Construction efforts resulted in more than 90 percent of total waste materials being recycled. The facility controls lighting with LEDs and dynamic glazing, windows that automatically darken with the sun’s intensity to reduce heat and glare. Its landscape was designed to thrive without permanent irrigation, and low-volatile organic compound construction materials safeguard indoor air quality.
New roadways and a “flyover” bridge allow convenient access to the lot, reducing vehicle congestion on roads leading to the Domestic Terminal. This, in turn, can reduce vehicle emissions and expedite passenger pick-up and drop off.
The CV Hold Lot is open daily from 4 a.m. – 2 a.m. and accommodates 300 taxis and 100 CV spaces. The previous hold lot will undergo demolition for the planned InterContinental Hotel and additional commercial development.
By Anika Robertson Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
More than 2,300 job seekers flocked to the Airport Community Job Fair on Oct. 31 in the hope of landing one of 1,800 positions available at the world’s busiest and most efficient airport.
Early totals indicate 438 applicants were hired on the spot, with more to come pending application reviews and interviews from the 60 participating businesses.
The fall job fair, held at the Georgia International Convention Center, offered opportunities ranging from baristas and digital software engineers to passenger sales agents and security officers.
“We were hoping to hire about 20 qualified candidates,” said Jamaal Campbell, human resources manager with Hojeij Branded Foods. “We were able to double that projection by hiring 54 new employees. I have been a part of job fairs for several years, but this one was our most successful.”
Hojeij positions up for grabs included cooks, cashiers, bussers and shift leaders at the company’s 18 Airport eateries. New Hojeij hire Joshua Gilbert looks forward to showcasing his culinary talents.
“I love to cook, so this was an opportunity for me to go a little bit further, learn a little bit more,” Gilbert said.
Several City of Atlanta recruiters welcomed applicants and encouraged online submissions for 54 open positions across varied fields and divisions.
“We have solid waste, engineers, watershed [and] a lot of public safety people are needed,” said Samantha Graves, recruiting coordinator for talent acquisitions. “I will be helping to pair people’s talents, scanning their resumes and … finding a job that fits well for them.”
Companies weren’t the only ones scouting for talent. Several regional schools offered training and financial incentives for those seeking education and additional skills.
Robert Thomas, admissions representative for Heavy Equipment Colleges of America in Georgia, recruited students by touting the job placement success of the three- to nine-month program.
“We train and certify heavy equipment operators and assist with lifetime job placement across the country,” said Thomas, adding that 85 percent of graduates are veterans.
Historically, Hartsfield-Jackson has held one job fair per year. But the upward growth of the economy, coupled with the Airport’s huge influx of passengers and the launch of the Airport’s capital improvement program, prompted organizers in 2016 to add a second event in the fall.
And with more events, organizers have added more features, including resume printing service, a career coach, interview rooms and daylong training.
Last week, Hartsfield-Jackson hosted training sessions covering resume writing, interviewing skills, job fair success and airport customer service. The sessions were conducted by the Georgia Department of Labor, Aerotropolis WorkSource Georgia and the Department of Aviation.
Janisha Radford moved to Atlanta from Flint, Michigan, in 2015. Seeking additional part-time work, the certified nurse assistant learned of the fair through online research. By early afternoon, she was offered a wheelchair agent position from GAT Airline Ground Support.
“I like to help people. I enjoy it,” Radford said. “[The fair] is a good opportunity for anyone … someone who wants to do something with themselves.”
Chief job fair organizer Chermaine Axam hopes that message of opportunity will continue to resonate.
“Our goal was to provide job seekers with the tools needed to land a position at the job fair,” said Axam, ATL’s assistant manager for community affairs. “And the results paid off for many who were hired on the spot.”
By Anika Robertson Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
Hundreds of Airport employees increased their operational awareness and shared best practices at the second annual OneATL Safety and Risk Management Expo. The conference, held last week at the Georgia International Convention Center, is one of only two of its kind hosted by a U.S. airport.
“Hartsfield-Jackson has a proactive, safety-first culture,” said Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr. during the Aug. 23 event. “We achieve this by clearly defining, or redefining, roles and responsibilities. We achieve this by constantly promoting safety and providing the tools, including training, that are necessary for success.”
The day began with the 16th annual ATL FOD Walk in which about 120 ATL employees scoured Runway 8L-26R for debris that could damage aircraft such as hardware, water bottles and even broken asphalt.
Later, hundreds of employees throughout Hartsfield-Jackson gathered at the GICC to participate in workshops to learn about current safety regulations and issues in the workplace.
Safety demonstrations between sessions offered a glimpse of how Airport and airline emergency personnel respond in times of crisis. Southwest Airlines showed onlookers how to remove an incapacitated passenger, deliver oxygen and begin resuscitation. Atlanta Fire Rescue and Atlanta Police officials shared what happens once someone spots a suspicious package.
ATL’s Safety Management System Manager and event organizer Scott Ayers said this year’s expo saw more participation from Airport stakeholders and partners, including Delta Air Lines, Kone, 3M, Southwest Airlines, MOPAC Plant & Building Services, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Keynote speaker W.E. Scott, former director of consulting services for the National Safety Council, discussed how to lead by setting an example in behavior and attitude, regardless of role.
“Everybody can be a leader,” Scott said. “Someone is watching us all the time. No matter where we are or what we do … you have to say, ‘Is this something that I want someone to see?’”
“Being safe at work allows us to do what we really care about,” Scott said.
ATL officials recognized a number of businesses and employees for their emergency preparedness and leadership that keeps the world’s busiest airport safe.
Hartsfield-Jackson celebrates $1 billion in concessions sales July 11 with an array of food and gifts from more than a dozen retailers. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Business Chronicle.
By Anika Robertson Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
The concessions program at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) hit an unprecedented peak in 2016, topping $1 billion in gross sales in a calendar year. ATL leaders, joined by Airport concessionaires, announced the milestone with food and fanfare July 11 .
Airport Assistant General Manager of Commercial Development and Business Ventures Cortez Carter said the $1 billion achievement – which includes revenue from the Rental Car Center – speaks to the quality of ATL’s commercial venues and the sheer volume of passengers traveling through.
“Very few airports in the world can boast that accomplishment,” Carter said. “It shows that beyond being a hub airport and an international airport, we are also a major hub for very successful concessionaires who operate at Hartsfield-Jackson.”
The concessions program, recently rebranded as ATL Skypointe, consists of more than 300 dining retail and service locations.
Concessions Director Chilly Ewing recognized ATL’s primary customers: the traveling public.
“We also want to thank our passengers, 104 million a year and counting,” Ewing said. “Because of you, our concessions program is one of the best in the aviation industry.”
The event at the Domestic Terminal featured more than a dozen restaurant brands serving food samples. Restaurants included Chick-fil-A, TGI Fridays, Fresh To Order, Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint and Savannah’s Candy Kitchen.
Daniel Halpern, CEO of Atlanta Restaurant Partners, said it is a “great honor” to contribute to ATL’s billion-dollar milestone.
“ATL Skypointe represents the collaboration with us as business owners and entrepreneurs and the [Department of Aviation],” said Halpern, who operates restaurants including TGI Fridays and Charleys Philly Steaks.
“For us, that point was no better illustrated than when we collaborated with concessions management and developed One Flew South eight years ago,” he said. “One Flew South has created a whole industry now in the airport dining space.”
Randy Hazelton, co-founder of H&H Hospitality, said opening a business in Hartsfield-Jackson was a “game changer.”
“To go and say that we operate in the Atlanta Airport changes the conversation,” said Hazelton, who has been operating in ATL since 2012 with eateries such as FLY Burger and Little Azio Pizza & Pasta.
Opportunities for aspiring ATL concessionaires are right around the corner. Later this month, Hartsfield-Jackson plans to issue Requests for Proposals for more than 80 new retail venues.
“We often say here at Hartsfield-Jackson that change is in the air,” Carter said. “As you can see, and will see … change is a positive thing for us and represents an upward trajectory that we believe will carry us for years to come.”
By Anika Robertson Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
The ATL Cargo Awards celebrated and honored the Airport’s “robust and vibrant” air cargo community with a ceremony and luncheon June 21.
More than 100 attended the annual event, which was held in the North Cargo building and featured stakeholders from the air cargo community, including ground handlers, ramp agents, freight forwarders, trucking companies and members of the Atlanta Air Cargo Association (AACA). AACA and the Metro Atlanta Chamber co-hosted the program.
Airport Director of Air Service Development Elliott Paige said the event pays tribute to businesses and individuals who are helping make ATL a “formidable force” in the industry.
“Hartsfield-Jackson’s air cargo community is robust and vibrant, and it continues to make a significant impact on the Airport and the region,” Paige said. “Our goal, of course, remains the same: To grow air cargo, propelling ATL into the top tier among U.S. airports for cargo volume. And I’m pleased to report that we continue to make great strides toward that objective.”
In 2016, ATL moved 648,595 metric tons of cargo, a 3.58 percent increase over 2015’s total, said Paige, adding that ATL is setting the stage to boost that number dramatically over the coming years.
He cited additional cargo carriers as well as new flights in the coming months. And before the year ends, he said, ATL expects to add at least four additional cities to Atlanta for cargo transport. In addition, Building C will soon be online, giving ATL the much-needed capacity to help meet future cargo demand.
One milestone over the past year has been the launch of TruckPass, a dock traffic control system in the South Cargo area. From February to March alone, ATL saw a 14 percent bump in overall cargo volume and another 6 percent increase in April.
ATL officials attribute some of that growth to TruckPass as well as the extraordinary efforts of the air cargo community. ATL Cargo Award winners are as follows:
Category
Company/Employee
Cargo Airline
of the Year
Delta Air Lines
Belly-Cargo
Airline of the Year
United Airlines
All-Cargo
Airline of the Year
FedEx
Cargo Employee
of the Year
Justin Taylor
Elite Logistics
Freight Forwarder
of the Year
Future Forwarding Company
Trucking Company
of the Year
J&P Hall Express
Q&A with Elliott Paige
The Airport director of air service development spoke about ATL’s air cargo community – and what’s to come.
Q: What was the impetus for the Cargo Awards? A: The ATL Cargo Awards is a way of giving back to the community and recognizing their contributions to the growth and development of cargo in and around the Airport. It’s our way of recognizing that Hartsfield-Jackson plays a vital role in the global supply chain for air cargo and also awarding key stakeholders who have made major contributions to the growth and efforts of our work in cargo in Atlanta. It’s also an opportunity for us to network and meet the people who are involved in this sector.
Q: What are the most popular items shipped from ATL? A: The things that pass through this Airport tend to be a function of what’s around the Southeast. The Southeast become the nation’s hub for automotive production. We have Nissan, Kia Motors, Hyundai, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. Then aerospace [industry] is here. We have the largest airline – Delta Air Lines – and they have they have their Technical Operations Center here, which means they do a lot of repairs. [Commercial jet] spare parts, engines pass through here. We have Airbus, Gulfstream and so on. Lastly, we receive a lot of pharmaceuticals that pass through as well.
Q: What would you like to change? Are there any industry challenges? A: One of the challenges we have is the quality of ground-handling services – and the speed to move [cargo] from landside to airside. The more efficient we become, the higher the value of cargo that passes through this Airport, and the more we as a community are able to pay workers and increase their wages. Moving forward, we hope to position the cargo community for even greater collaboration, not just among ourselves, but also other cargo communities internationally.
During Bring Your Child To Work Day, the 6- to 9-year-olds toured Fire Station 24 and happily posed in front of an Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) truck.
By Anika Robertson Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
More than 100 Department of Aviation employees brought more than their work bags and lunches to the offices one morning last week.
April 27 marked Bring Your Child to Work Day, coinciding with the annual U.S. observance of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
At ATL, youth ages 6-17 went on behind-the-scenes Airport tours, learned about careers in aviation and even engaged in talks with industry leaders.
The event kicked off in the North Cargo facility with a welcome from Office of Public Affairs Director Myrna White, who encouraged students to reach for their potential.
“We hope today’s event inspires the next generation of aviation professionals,” White said. “Perhaps in our midst are airline pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers and emergency rescue personnel. And who knows? Perhaps someone sitting here today will one day be the general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson.”
The last organization-wide Bring Your Child to Work Day was in 2010. This year’s revival had two versions – one hosted by DOA, the other by Tech Campus – and allowed the youth to shadow their parents on the job.
Emergency Planner Kamille McCormick was happy her 14-year-old daughter, Jade, saw McCormick’s “world” away from home.
“Before coming to ATL, I worked as an emergency planner in public health for almost 10 years,” McCormick said. “She always thought my job was boring.”
While the day didn’t change McCormick’s daughter’s plan of becoming a marine biologist, McCormick said, “[Jade] wished some of her friends who haven’t figured out what they want to be had a chance to see some of the interesting things … like the Delta Training Center.”
Customized activities included tours of the C4 Control Command Center Mobile Unit, ExpressJet, Stogner Hill, Delta Aircrew Training Center, Fire Station 24, the air traffic control tower, an interactive plane burn at the Atlanta Fire Training Center and the Delta Flight Museum.
Sparkle Rainey, 13, enjoyed the day’s fun, informative activities.
“I’d never been to the Airport before,” said Rainey, adding that she plans to research and consider aviation careers, including flight scheduler and pilot.
Data Analyst Leslie Putnam organized the Tech Campus event for 68 children and aimed to bring “excitement for learning.”
“[This] is important to our entire Tech Campus family because of the essential learning experience the flight community brings to our bright future leaders of tomorrow,” Putnam said.
Throughout the day, youth heard from a host of speakers, including Officers Lorenzo Stripling and Bernard Day from the K9/Bomb Squad; ATL Fire Training Center Program Manager Clay Garnett; Lt. Marsha Hill; Operations Supervisor and Emergency Response specialist Kevin Fuzell; Ground Transportation Operations Coordinator Shedrock Neil, and Delta Air Lines pilot Capt. Marcus Neyor.
Community Affairs Manager Tracy Gilbert, who helped organize DOA’s event, hoped the day encouraged academic and personal achievement.
“Kids today are not sure how to connect learning in the classroom to the world of work,” Gilbert said. “This life-changing opportunity provided the kids with a personal experience in aviation.”
By Anika Robertson Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
It was easy being green at the third annual GreeningATL Excellence Awards on April 21.
Department of Aviation leaders and ATL stakeholders gathered at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway to celebrate the sustainability successes of the past year and honor individuals and companies that have advanced the triple-bottom line: economic, social and environmental.
Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council, Jr. shared ATL’s sustainability initiatives underway or on track, including the Sustainable Food Court Initiative, Green Acres ATL Energy Park and electric vehicle charging stations. He also looked to the future, underscoring that the Airport’s 20-year capital improvement program ATLNext will incorporate sustainability and efficiency into each project.
“We welcome the chance to grow sustainably, balancing our constantly expanding operations with a laser-like focus on preserving the environment,” Council said. “And with the help of everyone … I know we can achieve even more on our journey to become one of the world’s greenest airports.”
Winners are as follows:
NAME/COMPANY
CATEGORY
Trilogyfm
Energy Conservation and Efficiency
Cofely-MiJoy Joint Venture
Materials & Resources
Delaware North
Footprint & Community Impact
ATLNext EV Charging Station Team, Department of Aviation
Hartsfield-Jackson is among the airports featured in PBS documentary, ‘City in the Sky.’ View of ATL’s traffic control tower at twilight on the airfield.
By Anika Robertson Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
This month, TV and online viewers get an inside look into the world’s busiest and most efficient airport. Public Broadcasting System (PBS) is airing a documentary on the aviation industry and ATL’s vital role.
“City in the Sky” is a three-part documentary series that goes behind the scenes to uncover the global networks and complex logistics that allow air travel to soar to new heights. The program is a collaboration between PBS and British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) and will air, in various versions, in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Airside Operations Assistant Manager John Ryan is featured in part three of the documentary.
“I am proud that I was chosen to represent ATL and show what our airside operations division performs on a daily basis to provide a safe and efficient airport, still while maintaining [the] title of world’s busiest airport,” he said.
The Department of Aviation’s Policy and Communications division provided special access to the BBC production crew. Filming took place over the course of eight days during the busiest travel period of the year: the holiday season.
That access offered “City in the Sky” producers a unique look at just how Hartsfield-Jackson managed more than 100 million passengers in a single year. “City in the Sky” also brings viewers to the world’s coldest airport (in Yakutsk, Russia) and the most dangerous airport for landings (Paro Airport in the Himalayas).
“City in the Sky” episode one, “Departure,” premiered Feb. 8 on PBS and Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) stations, and it is also available for viewing at http://www.pbs.org/show/city-sky/. The second segment, “Airborne,” will air Feb. 15 and part three, “Arrival,” will air Feb. 22.
Maulana “MT” Tenney and Timothy Cinnamon are all smiles before kidney surgeries.
By Anika Robertson Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager
Take a moment to think about when you had a medical crisis or scare, whom did you turn to? A friend? Family member?
For Department of Aviation team member Maulana “MT” Tenney, kindness came in the form of Timothy Cinnamon, a colleague who stepped up not only to help, but also to give beyond measure. “I wasn’t feeling good and thought it was a cold,” explained Tenney, a 20-year City of Atlanta employee with 10 years in the maintenance department. “When I went to the doctor, he told me, ‘You need to see a kidney specialist.’”
That’s when he discovered in December 2014 that his kidneys were functioning at 13 percent and required immediate dialysis. When fear initially set in, the married father of three admitted he didn’t want the lifesaving treatment but his wife encouraged him.
“I was afraid, nervous [and] intimidated,” he said. “Just to hear the words, ‘You have to go to dialysis,’ it doesn’t sound good. I’m a praying man. I thought I would get better. I wanted my kidneys to start functioning again. “
Tenney took a monthlong leave of absence from the Department of Aviation to address his health issues. After initial hospitalization, he required kidney dialysis three times per week, each session lasting 3 ½ hours. Without a transplant, he would need to continue dialysis for the rest of his life. His co-workers understood the severity of the situation, and some lifted his spirits with phone calls and text messages. Cinnamon, who worked alongside Tenney for seven years on the fence maintenance crew, considered Tenney a friend. During that period, Cinnamon was young, new to the Department of Aviation and adapting to working with older, more experienced crew members.
“I was still in that learning process. MT taught me a lot. He was full-throttle,” Cinnamon said. “Being co-workers, we learned a lot about each other. [When] I went through some tough times, [he] and I got really close. One day, I called him up [upset]. He prayed with me for an hour. That stuck in my mind. He didn’t have to do that.”
The pair remained cordial after being reassigned to different areas in 2013, though daily interaction was limited. Tenney continued his dialysis treatments through 2015. Since maintenance is a 24-hour unit, he was able to adjust his work schedule to accommodate kidney treatments. He passed the time by reading, listening to music and talking to other patients while in the treatment center. Guided by his faith, he remained optimistic.
“I thank God for my faith,” he said. “This is a temporary situation I was going through, and I didn’t know how long [it would last]. I encouraged myself and I didn’t stop working. That’s what gave me the strength.”
Then one day in February, the unexpected happened. Cinnamon approached Tenney and offered his kidney.
“I thought he was joking,” Tenney recalled. “I didn’t think he was serious.”
But Cinnamon persisted, requesting his blood type and information on the donor process. After a month, Tenney realized the sincerity of the offer.
“I was still going to dialysis … working and doing what I had to do,” Tenney said. “Tim and I talked; he never wavered. He stepped in — my guardian angel.”
Cinnamon said some people questioned his decision, citing risks and complications.
“I had a one-track mind,” he said. “I am a man of my word. If you tell someone you’re going to do something, you do it.”
Although Cinnamon and Tenney realized they had different blood types, they discovered the Living Donor Program, facilitated through Emory Healthcare, which allows a healthy donor to donate their kidney. This in turn enables the desired recipient to receive a living organ compatible to his body. The donor’s kidney is then transported to a matching recipient.
After a battery of tests, both Tenney and Cinnamon were cleared for the program. They expected to wait six months to a year before the operations, but after four months, Tenney received a call from Emory Transplant Center to schedule his surgery, which took place this year on Sept. 29, the same day as Cinnamon’s.
Tenney’s kidney arrived from Los Angeles, while Cinnamon’s kidney went to Maryland. Both surgeries were conducted by the same medical team. Relieved to have his first major surgery behind him, Cinnamon remembered the feeling of triumph.
“Once out [of surgery], I shouted to MT, ‘We did it!’ It was a sigh of relief,” he said. “That was the greatest moment.”
Tenney explains the significance of his life-changing experience.
“Tim stepped in and gave me another chance at life,” he said. “I appreciate it and love him for that. By him giving and my receiving, now I can help some[one] else along with helping myself.”
Cinnamon borrowed six months of vacation time for his recovery and plans to return to the Department of Aviation right after Thanksgiving.
“I can’t complain,” he said. “I’m blessed.”
He wants Tenney to know that he shouldn’t feel indebted to him.
“It was a win-win situation,” he said. “I feel just as good to be able to do it as [MT] does to be able to receive. God allowed me to be there for him. I learned what teamwork was.”
Word is getting around the state about the wonders of ATL’s Tour program.
The program was featured in the November/December edition of the Women in Aviation International (WAI) newsletter. Atlanta’s Gone With the Wind chapter of WAI recently toured the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, getting an in-depth look at all the moving parts at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
“The Tour program is really taking off,” said ATL Community Affairs Coordinator Sylvia O’Neal who, along with Kiara Washington, organizes the tours. “Women in Aviation is just one of many specialty groups that chose Hartsfield-Jackson as a place to tour.”
Already this year, the program has completed 72 tours, with four more scheduled by year’s end.
“By getting a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in and around the airfield, you gain a greater appreciation for airports, aircraft, pilots, flight attendants and everyone else responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests,” O’Neal said. “And, of course, the Tour program wouldn’t be successful without the expertise and support of all DOA staffers.”
WAI is a nonprofit organization that encourages and advances women in all aviation career fields. Its membership includes astronauts, corporate pilots, maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers, business owners, educators, journalists, flight attendants, high school and university students, air show performers, airport managers and many others.
