Airport Life: Family Experiences

This post is a continuation of Harrisburg International Airport's mini-series in blogging: Airport Life. This series explores the airport community from business and leisure travelers to airport staff.


Saying goodbye is often the hardest part about a trip to the airport. For Bill Leachman of Adams County, Pa., this became all too real as he and his three-year-old son William as they arrived at Harrisburg International Airport on April 1, 2011. An emotional occasion, Bill’s wife Tracie is a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Heading down to Fort Gordon, Ga., Tracie and her family will be separated for five months, while she is participating in military operations.

William Leachman and his wife Tracie, of the PA National Gaurd

Upon arrival at Harrisburg International Airport, the family prepared to say goodbye just outside of security. As they reached the ticket counter, however, the family was met with a surprise that Bill interpreted as an April Fool’s Day joke. Seeing that Tracie is a part of the military, the Delta Air Lines service representative asked Bill if he would like to see his wife off at the Delta gate instead of pre-security, a privilege that most airlines offer to military personnel and their families.


Elated by the news, Bill and his son William were able to with Tracie before boarding the plane to her connection in Atlanta. With an unusually cold April day, Tracie’s flight was delayed for deicing. What could come as a frustration delay to some, turned out to be a nice treat for the family as they got to steal a little bit more time together.
With daughters Katrina and Trinity at home, Bill and William were able to return home with a meaningful memory to help the family cope with the distance: something that “meant the world” to Bill.


As a self-proclaimed fan of the customer-service-oriented HIA experience, Bill (@help_nonprofits) and his three children gave us a chance to get to know his family a little better by attending our SpringUp tweet up at MDT on April 9. Flying wooden airplanes while waiting for real airplanes to take off and land on the observation deck, the passion that Bill and his family hold for people, for flying, and for family shined through.

Two of Bill's children playing with wooden airplanes at MDT!

In the coming months we wish Bill, his wife Tracie, and their three wonderful children the best of luck during a difficult time. And above all we look forward to Tracie’s return to the south central Pennsylvania region.