How often have you ever arrived at an airport terminal (perhaps via a connecting flight) and struggled to locate a boarding gate or the bags claim area? It is a common challenge for hundreds of passengers day by day. British Columbia has an important solution, and let’s say it is available in the shape of green.
Navigating inside YVR
Vancouver International Airport (often also called YVR for its three-letter IATA code) is 12 km (7.5 mi) south of downtown Vancouver on Sea Island and is a component of the suburban city of Richmond. It’s the primary airport serving its namesake city of Vancouver, situated on Sea Island throughout the City of Richmond, which is south of Vancouver. As Canada’s second-busiest airport, YYR handles greater than 25 million passengers annually. The busy airport connects Canada’s west coast to major cities on the country’s east coast. Internationally, the airport also sees multiple international every day flights to Asia, Oceania, and Europe.
The airport has a three-terminal layout consisting of the next:
- The Domestic terminal is situated within the southern a part of the primary terminal constructing.
- International Terminal, on the northern a part of the primary terminal constructing.
- South Terminal is situated on the southern side of the airport and a few 10-minute- drive from other terminals. This area handles short-distance flights, and just a few 2-minute walk away, you’ll find two piers on the Fraser River for seaplane operations.
Getting around this complex terminal layout may be difficult for passengers who’re unfamiliar with the airport. That is where the YVR Green Coat Volunteers step in to assist.
Here come the Green Coats
The Green Coats are a hardworking group of friendly volunteers situated throughout the airport to supply a welcoming face, answer any questions, and get passengers moving in the proper direction. This implausible group of customer support ambassadors was founded in 1989 and has served passengers ever since.
The onset of the Covid pandemic forced this system on hold for a yr. Nonetheless, the team resumed service in March 2021, and has since helped passengers navigate YVR’s complex layout despite several challenges, including latest COVID-19 variants and steadily increasing passenger numbers.
A day within the lifetime of an airport volunteer
YYR’s Green Coat storybook offers examples of how these volunteers help their passengers in some ways. The Green Coat literature provides an important have a look at volunteer Susan Rance’s service on a selected day when she was stationed at a counter. A passenger who didn’t speak much English approached her after missing an outbound flight. Despite the language barrier, Susan was in a position to connect with the passenger’s daughter over the phone eventually after which associated the passenger together with her airline for rebooking.
Going beyond her area of responsibility, Susan took the hungry and frustrated woman to a preferred local restaurant while one other YVR worker who heard Susan’s story in the road graciously paid for the meal. To supply uplifting company, Susan stayed beyond her scheduled shift time to accompany the passenger while she ate. The limited conversation caused Susan to creatively consider showing the passenger cute animal videos to perk up her spirits. How often do you hear about this at a big international airport?
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What does it take to be a Green Coat?
Airport officials have been actively recruiting Green Coat volunteers and plan to proceed for the subsequent few months. Anyone interested must complete the web application process and have the proper skills. While airport knowledge is an asset, it isn’t required; great candidates include individuals with the next attributes:
• Friendly, outgoing personality;
• Strong teamwork orientation;
• Ability to listen, understand and respond;
• Motivated to attain high standards of service;
• Excellent problem-resolution skills;
• Customer support experience;
• Computer skills; in a position to navigate the Web;
• Language skills.
Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 1 4-hour shift each week on a delegated day and time. Shift times are 06:00 – 10:00; 10:00 – 14:00; 14:00 – 18:00; and 18:00 – 22:00.
Are you as much as the challenge of being a Green Coat? Should you live within the Vancouver area, chances are you’ll apply for this special particular airport personnel who make passengers’ travel experience rather more enjoyable. Should you cannot change into a volunteer for one reason or one other, please make sure that to thank a Green Coat next time you travel through YYR. An easy gratitude smile could also be all needed to precise your sincere appreciation.
