Live Chat at SAN

The Airport Authority is currently testing a new feature on its Web site, “Live Chat”. For four hours every morning, Colm in our Customer Service Department answers questions from the public. The chat function is designed to be very user-friendly and gives you personalized information on San Diego International Airport. All you have to do is click on the “Live Chat” box .

So, fellow Ambassablogger Ed and I decided that this was a perfect opportunity to try out a video posting for the Ambassablog. In the clip below, you'll see the two of us asking Colm some “questions," plus some fun surprises. Special thanks to Travis, the summer intern in Airport Planning from Oklahoma State University, who was instrumental in putting the video clip together.

Coming soon

Airport Authority employees take note:

Adieu to 30 Days of Blue

The 30 Days of Blue special birthday celebration for San Diego International Airport (SDIA) comes to an end today. The airport turned 80 years old last month and kicked off 30 Days of Blue with a free community festival, the SAn Skyfaire, at Liberty Station on August 16. Over 1,200 people came out to enjoy the day. Here's a nice collage of the event, assembled by our summer intern, Jennifer (now back at college).

A focus of the celebration has been an issue of paramount importance in our region and the world: sustainability. The Ambassablog got involved with special video post by Ambassablogger Sjohnna on what the airport is doing to protect the endangered California Least Tern at SDIA, as well as a post called More about EONS by Ambassablogger Ed.

And for each of the last 30 days, the airport has posted on its Web site a useful sustainability tip you can put in practice in your everyday life, as well as an important sustainability measure under way at the airport.

30 Days of Blue may have lasted just a month, but with a renewed and continual commitment to sustainability by by all of us, perhaps its important message can last indefinitely.

More about EONS (part 2 of 2)

This a follow-up to my post, All about EONS, from July 18.

Do you get excited over toilet bowl cleaner? You might be surprised, but a lot of my Airport Authority colleagues did recently! In an effort to get out the word on the Airport Authority’s Sustainability Policy (which I talked about in the previous post), the Airport Authority recently hosted an employee open house focused on showing employees how what we do in our jobs and at home can be truly sustainable. In the picture above, I'm hanging loose with fellow Airport Authority employee Isabel at the open house to promote sustainable care for the ocean.

Even the giveaways at the open house were sustainable. Employees were given reusable, sturdy canvass tote bags featuring the airport's logo and other earth-conscious gifts, such as Clorox's new Green Works™ glass and toilet bowl cleaner. Green Works™ is the first line of natural cleaners developed by a major consumer products company. You wouldn’t believe what a hit the latter was; yours truly was low on both cleaners, so they really came in handy! Check out fellow Ambassablogger Ryan awarding a bottle of Green Works™ to Airport Authority employee Michelle.

Part of being sustainable is having the right information to let you to make choices and act in a manner that respects the earth. It’s nice to know how much the Airport Authority is committing itself to really promoting sustainability — and a clean toilet bowl to boot!

Welcome home

When I returned from vacation this summer, I was pleased that my flight landed at Gate 2 in Terminal 1. When you travel through Gates 1 and 2 here at San Diego International Airport, you’re greeted by a lovely piece of art that really reflects the spirit of San Diego. It’s quite a lovely welcome home!

It's called Day at the Beach and is by artist Tracy Sabin. He’s a local artist from Carlsbad. The beautiful tile mosaic was installed in the airport in 2005 and depicts a beach scene much like you might find on any San Diego beach.

Here are two photos of the mosaic: above is one of the entire piece of art I took right after I landed in San Diego, and at the top is a closeup. I was tired when I arrived, but that’s the power of art – noticing the artwork warmed my heart to be home in good ol’ San Diego ... and it inspired me to take a photo to remember it.

I like how the individual mosaic tiles make it seem like the sea is sparkling. Beach, anyone?

Look for more information about our Airport Art Program in future posts!

Back to school

Ah, college! ... The best four years of my life! Speaking of which, Horizon Airlines recently unveiled a new aircraft honoring my alma mater, the University of Washington. Go Huskies!
As any college student can tell you, an internship is an integral part of your education and preparation for “The Real World”.

Here at San Diego International Airport, we're wrapping up our Summer College Intern Program. This year we welcomed 13 students representing nine schools and eight states, with a a varied set of majors and backgrounds. My intern, Travis, graduated from Oklahoma State University in May and he did a fantastic job this summer. Thanks, Travis! Each student worked in a different department at the airport, participated in weekly activities and attended airport-wide events. Here they are:

From left to right (with their university and the airport department where they interned):

• Travis – Oklahoma State University – Airport Planning
• Keith – CalState LA - Facilities Management
• Chase – Baylor University – Procurement / Small Business Development
• Jill – Purdue University – Terminal Development Program
• Wesley – Louisiana Tech University – Noise Mitigation
• Shelia – Ohio University – Aviation Security
• Andrew – Purdue University – Marketing
• Tim – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Aviation Security
• Hannah – San Diego State – Human Resources
• Andrew – University of North Dakota – Airport Operations
• Jennifer – UC San Diego – Public & Community Relations
• Russell - Inter-Governnmental Relations
  
• Armin – San Diego State - Facilities Development

The activities gave students a behind-the-scenes look at the airport and an opportunity to make professional contacts and new friends. The intern program is part of the Airport Authority’s Careers in Aviation initiative.

I want to thank everyone that helped put on the program -- it is a great experience for both the interns and all the staff. A huge thank-you to Carol and Michelle in Human Resources for taking care of the summer’s logistics.

If you are interested in next year’s program please see the Airport Authorty's career website. Recruitment usually begins in mid-January each year.

Until then, study hard!