Over the past few months, those of you following the MDT's Twitter stream may have seen the hashtag #MDT324 in use. What appears to be a nonsensical collection of letters and numbers actually represented an event planned to bring several of our more active twitter followers to MDT for an opportunity to meet one another in person. In total 5 "tweeps" flew or drove in from across the country for an evening "tweetup" with the airport tweeter. Each tweep has graciously agreed to share their experience in a wrap up blog series.
Amanda's post is the final of the wrap up series on #MDT324. Maybe we'll be seeing you at the 2012 event!
To be honest, before #MDT324, I thought Twitter was pretty stupid. I only started to tweet because my "cool travel friends" were doing it. I jokingly told Stephanie that MDT should host a behind-the-scenes-tour of the airport, and she tweeted back, asking if I would fly to MDT. I said "sure, why not,?" but I didn't expect it to actually happen!
Imagine my surprise when suddenly we had an event date. And then there was a list of people, like myself, who were going to fly across the country to see the inner-workings of an amazing airport? Suddenly Twitter wasn't so stupid, it was something that was connecting me to fellow aviation geeks!
I flew into the airport early to get a sense of the place. I checked myself into the airport-managed Susquehanna Club, which is a great place for frequent travelers such as myself to kick back and relax before a flight. I also grabbed some lunch at Subway. I was impressed with the dining choices at MDT, certainly a lot more than at my home airport of Omaha. Also, everyone at MDT was genuinely friendly. Flying as much as I do- you really notice when airport staff goes above and beyond. I'm happy to say everyone I met at MDT was friendly!
Finally, the moment arrived when the "tweeps" would actually "tweetup." I didn't really know what to expect, but, as soon as I met everyone, I knew we were kindred spirits. As we explored the airport together, seeing places that I have only dreamed of seeing in the past (hello, baggage handling system!), I suddenly realized that Twitter wasn't so dumb.
I want to thank Stephanie for the amazing and informational tour, and to my fellow "tweeps for life"- Chris, Laura, Mike, Julie and Hans. If nothing else, you guys will always be my twitter friends, right?..
Showing posts with label susquehanna club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label susquehanna club. Show all posts
8.4.11
Airport Life: Business Travel
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.
Aside from those who physically work at an airport, business travelers spend much of their time frequenting the sky and the gateways that lead to it. This week we caught up with Bill Forster the executive vice president of Maine Pointe, LLC and Gary Bupp a national instructor for Tyco Electronics.
With frequent flyer miles being the common thread that weaves these two businessmen together, both Forster and Bupp spend a considerable amount of time away from home. For example, every Sunday Forster leaves his home in south central Pennsylvania. Traveling throughout the week to many different locations across the U.S., he doesn’t return until Friday night to spend the weekends with his family. A military man, serving in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Forster has spent much of his time in and out of airports.
After serving in the armed services, Forster became a field consultant for Chick-fil-A, opening several hundred stores in malls across America. In fact, to-date Forster has traveled globally for various jobs since 1982. Currently Forster works as the executive vice president of Maine Pointe, a position he has held for the last six and a half years.
Leaving home just a little less than Forster, Bupp usually travels for two weeks every month, where he is gone for three to four days at a time. Roving internationally with a focus on the United States and Canada, Bupp has worked as a national trainer with Tyco Electronics for 27 years. In this hands-on role, Bupp is able to work with a network of employees worldwide on emerging technologies.
While both find life as a regular traveler trying at times with various weather and general delays rampant and missed time with family, both Forster and Bupp admit that they still enjoy traveling. Some of Bupp’s favorite locations include California, Colorado, Canada, and Florida,where he is able to spend time with his son. And while it may seem with the amount of time spent traveling that these men must have visited the entire globe, there are places they still need to cross off their maps. For instance, Forster has traveled to every state except Hawaii.
Both living in the south central Pennsylvania region, Forster and Bupp have racked up enough frequent flyer miles to land themselves in the Susquehanna Club before they leave for their destinations. Visiting various reward lounges like Delta, U.S. Air, and United Airlines, they both agree that Harrisburg International Airport’s customer-based club is a nice, quiet substitute to airline-exclusive clubs.
While life up in the air can often be tiresome, both businessmen take pride in the services they are able to offer. While Forster jokingly described traveling as an “evil means to an end,” both Forster and Bupp assert it is the new people and new experiences that always keep airport life enjoyable.
Aside from those who physically work at an airport, business travelers spend much of their time frequenting the sky and the gateways that lead to it. This week we caught up with Bill Forster the executive vice president of Maine Pointe, LLC and Gary Bupp a national instructor for Tyco Electronics.
With frequent flyer miles being the common thread that weaves these two businessmen together, both Forster and Bupp spend a considerable amount of time away from home. For example, every Sunday Forster leaves his home in south central Pennsylvania. Traveling throughout the week to many different locations across the U.S., he doesn’t return until Friday night to spend the weekends with his family. A military man, serving in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Forster has spent much of his time in and out of airports.
After serving in the armed services, Forster became a field consultant for Chick-fil-A, opening several hundred stores in malls across America. In fact, to-date Forster has traveled globally for various jobs since 1982. Currently Forster works as the executive vice president of Maine Pointe, a position he has held for the last six and a half years.
Leaving home just a little less than Forster, Bupp usually travels for two weeks every month, where he is gone for three to four days at a time. Roving internationally with a focus on the United States and Canada, Bupp has worked as a national trainer with Tyco Electronics for 27 years. In this hands-on role, Bupp is able to work with a network of employees worldwide on emerging technologies.
While both find life as a regular traveler trying at times with various weather and general delays rampant and missed time with family, both Forster and Bupp admit that they still enjoy traveling. Some of Bupp’s favorite locations include California, Colorado, Canada, and Florida,where he is able to spend time with his son. And while it may seem with the amount of time spent traveling that these men must have visited the entire globe, there are places they still need to cross off their maps. For instance, Forster has traveled to every state except Hawaii.
Both living in the south central Pennsylvania region, Forster and Bupp have racked up enough frequent flyer miles to land themselves in the Susquehanna Club before they leave for their destinations. Visiting various reward lounges like Delta, U.S. Air, and United Airlines, they both agree that Harrisburg International Airport’s customer-based club is a nice, quiet substitute to airline-exclusive clubs.
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| The Susquehanna Club |
18.3.11
Airport Life: The Customer Information Team
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.
“I enjoy helping people,” she said with a smile.
Carol Watkins, attendant at the Harrisburg International Airport’s Susquehanna Club, wants to be the guiding hand that aids you in the airport experience. With a pay-it-forward attitude, Carol filled the shoes of an HIA passenger not too long ago.
On a trip with her husband through the airport, Carol stopped at the information desk to get some advice about her flight. As they left, her husband expressed that an airport customer service representative was exactly the type of job that would be perfect for her. As fate would have it, just a few weeks later Carol came across an advertisement for a position at the airport.
If you can’t find Carol at the information desk on the public side of the terminal, you’ll find her in her living room away from home: The Susquehanna Club, Harrisburg International Airports frequent flyer lounge. The club offers frequent travelers from all airlines a quiet place to work or relax before a flight. Acting as the gatekeeper to the club’s amenities, Carol ensures that club members are able to grab a complimentary beverage, use the free Wi-Fi, or even conduct a business meeting in the conference room.
One of Carol’s favorite parts of her job is getting to know the frequent flyers that pass through the Susquehanna Club. And, with the intimate feel of the club, Carol is able to get to know a lot of the regulars before they jet off from MDT.
Above all, Carol enjoys the satisfaction she gets from being able to help others, because in the end it’s just what she loves to do.
Airport staff and airlines work hard to ensure customer satisfaction. As airport staff work to help the public, do you think the services provided at airports meets customer demands? If so what are some good examples you’ve found in your travels?
And if remembering the exact date of her first day isn’t a testament to her wealth of knowledge, Carol works hard to ensure that she can help you answer whatever question you may have as you travel through our hub.
Before becoming an on-staff airport guru, Carol brought smiles to a different industry: dentistry. For 20 years, she worked as a receptionist in a local dental office. Moving on to MDT, Carol’s first day with the airport was May 16, 2007.
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| Carol Watkins, Susquehanna Club attendant |
“I enjoy helping people,” she said with a smile.
Carol Watkins, attendant at the Harrisburg International Airport’s Susquehanna Club, wants to be the guiding hand that aids you in the airport experience. With a pay-it-forward attitude, Carol filled the shoes of an HIA passenger not too long ago.
On a trip with her husband through the airport, Carol stopped at the information desk to get some advice about her flight. As they left, her husband expressed that an airport customer service representative was exactly the type of job that would be perfect for her. As fate would have it, just a few weeks later Carol came across an advertisement for a position at the airport.
If you can’t find Carol at the information desk on the public side of the terminal, you’ll find her in her living room away from home: The Susquehanna Club, Harrisburg International Airports frequent flyer lounge. The club offers frequent travelers from all airlines a quiet place to work or relax before a flight. Acting as the gatekeeper to the club’s amenities, Carol ensures that club members are able to grab a complimentary beverage, use the free Wi-Fi, or even conduct a business meeting in the conference room.
One of Carol’s favorite parts of her job is getting to know the frequent flyers that pass through the Susquehanna Club. And, with the intimate feel of the club, Carol is able to get to know a lot of the regulars before they jet off from MDT.
Above all, Carol enjoys the satisfaction she gets from being able to help others, because in the end it’s just what she loves to do.
Airport staff and airlines work hard to ensure customer satisfaction. As airport staff work to help the public, do you think the services provided at airports meets customer demands? If so what are some good examples you’ve found in your travels?
And if remembering the exact date of her first day isn’t a testament to her wealth of knowledge, Carol works hard to ensure that she can help you answer whatever question you may have as you travel through our hub.
Before becoming an on-staff airport guru, Carol brought smiles to a different industry: dentistry. For 20 years, she worked as a receptionist in a local dental office. Moving on to MDT, Carol’s first day with the airport was May 16, 2007.
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