HOUSEKEEPING

The airport is like a window to the world for many Tri-State residents. The people responsible for keeping that window sparkling are members of our housekeeping staff.

Cleanliness is paramount, because the airport is often the first thing people see of our region. Yet making the airport shine is no small task. In a year’s time, the housekeeping staff will install more than 150,000 rolls of paper towels and toilet paper in the restrooms. It takes an employee an entire day just to keep the housekeeping staff supplied with materials.

Since it is responsible for cleaning more than one million square feet of space each day, the housekeeping staff is expert in getting the job done right and getting it done quickly.

Unlike places that shut down at night for cleaning, the airport is open 24 hours a day. The housekeeping staff must be skillful at cleaning around people. For this, the housekeeping staff must be as adept in people skills as any customer service agent. They frequently are called upon to answer questions as they are out and about.

“We don’t just clean up the facilities and keep them in good condition. We create the very atmosphere that thousands of people live and work in every day,” notes Everett McDonald, housekeeping supervisor.