A Way to Serve
Formed in 1997, RDU's volunteer program today consists of nearly 40 individuals, ranging from high school students to retirees. They average 18 hours of service each month, mostly in the terminals, but also in RDU offices, parking facilities and elsewhere at the airport.
Volunteers serve alongside Airport Authority staff to assist customers with questions about the airport, the status of flights, information about the region and much, much more. They are a key reason the Airport Authority is able to provide 17 hours of face-to-face assistance in the terminals each day.
After the September 11 attacks, when security tightened at the airport, the role of volunteers increased. Today, they help manage queue lines, inform meeters and greeters about flight status and assist members of the military. Since the program's inception, more than 77,000 hours have been donated to RDU.
Diverse Skills and Experience
Among the current ranks of RDU volunteers are individuals with a diverse set of skills and experience. In the mix are a tow truck operator, dietitian, engineer, real estate agent, a retired automobile executive, former airline employee and numerous students. Many speak multiple foreign languages, but each is known for the attention they give to passengers needing assistance.
“Our volunteers will not hesitate to go out of their way to make sure a person is taken care of at the information desks,” said Carmen Watson, Airport Authority volunteer coordinator. “They will go through the checkpoint to retrieve a lost item, make phone calls to help someone make it home or work with our airlines to make necessary accommodations for a flight, if needed.”
Training is Key
Since RDU volunteers are often times the first people that visitors to the Research Triangle Region meet, proper training is key before they can serve in the terminals. Potential volunteers are carefully screened with interviews and background checks in the same manner a person applying for a job is screened. They must pass a federal background check and complete several hours of airport familiarization training before working at the information desks.
For more information on RDU’s volunteer program, visit the volunteer section on our Web site. |
