PHX Perspective

Friendly and Helpful Navigators Assist Travelers at Sky Harbor

Sometimes people feel that travel can be daunting especially if they are going to an airport they have never been to before or do not travel often. At Phoenix Sky Harbor, America’s Friendliest Airport™, customer service is one of our top priorities. And, as such, the Navigator program’s goal is to assist travelers who have questions or are lost in the Airport. Navigators are the people in the purple shirts and jackets who are always eager to assist.

Jerry Moore, a Rockford, Illinois, native who moved to Arizona over 50 years ago, became a Navigator in February 2009. He is an avid volunteer who also spends time helping at the Veteran’s Hospital and the Phoenix Police Department, but wanted to get involved at Sky Harbor. He says what he most enjoys about it is meeting a variety of different people and trying to help them. He took the time to speak about what kinds of questions he, as a Navigator, gets most and what advice he has for travelers.

“A lot of the questions are: ‘where are the gates, restrooms, ATMs, the Rental Car Shuttle,’” said Moore. “’How do I get to another terminal’ is also frequently asked.”

Moore often assists in helping people who need to get to other terminals as well as find the smoking areas. He says that if travelers have a long wait at the Airport, they might enjoy checking out the Art Gallery in Terminal 4. Travelers can also pick up an Airport Guide throughout the Airport for information on what is in each terminal and where things are located.

Moore and his fellow Navigators also offer the following important travel tips:

• Come to the Airport prepared. Before you fly, know what terminal you are flying out of, where you should go to park or where you should be dropped off, etc.
• Arrive at the Airport two hours before your flight or three hours before if you are flying internationally.
• Confirm your flight’s schedule and status before you come to the Airport.
• Also, each airline has different policies for fees on checked and overweight bags. Check with the airline regarding this.
• Know what can and cannot be brought through the security checkpoints. Larger quantities of liquids and gels should be placed into the checked luggage. Travelers should familiarize themselves with TSA’s regulations in advance of traveling. Visit www.tsa.gov for information.
• And, a new security requirement by the TSA is that the name on your plane ticket must match exactly the full name that appears on your driver’s license or other government-issued ID.
• If you are picking someone up at the Airport, utilize the cell-phone waiting lots instead of circling around the Airport. Arrange in advance where you will meet your party. Terminals 3 and 4 have both north and south curbs.

And, if helping travelers at the Airport sounds like something you might be interested in doing, why not become a Navigator? Sky Harbor is currently looking for interested individuals to serve as Navigators at America’s Friendliest Airport™. Additional information can be found on our Web site.