More of Continued': The saga of the volunteer at one of the eight DCA airport Travelers Aid desks where, invariably, no question goes unanswered if and when the desk is being staffed, since there are never enough of these good citizens appaarently. Resourcefulness often is required - at least in one case where the volunteer could not immediately respond to a question about names of architects and artists involved in the renovation in the main DCA entry hall.. A passerby wanted to know who was responsible for the design on the ceiling - and how, curiously and probably purposefully, the numerous patterns high above the glass-enclosed space resembled the shape of the U.S. Capitol. (Photo to come...) Aha, my friend said, I can look that up for you on the spot. Such details are not routine as part of the many hours of training volunteers receive.
Should she be really baffled by a strange language or encounter, even a worrisome one, there are human resources at hand by phone or, should a fearful encounter ensue, a tiny emergency button is located a finger away out of sight under the desk. Not surprisingly either, a volunteer finds he of she is getting an education daily about people and the world around them that is such a fast-paced environment.
Airport officials don't supply much information for visitors on paper. The sole pamphlet I could find one recent Tuesday afternoon at an unoccupied desk was a small folding map of the National Mall, since that is where a large majority of the millions coming through DC as tourists will end up. Likewise, volunteers are well equipped to give directions on the best way to the Mall, said to be the most popular (in numbers) yearly of all the US National Parks.Also see below: now planing at Reagan National DCA:
Sunflower Lanyards
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program was first launched in May 2016 at London Gatwick Airport. This program allows individuals with invisible disabilities to be discreetly identified. It serves as a prompt for someone to discreetly make airport personnel aware that they may need a helping hand, patience, or simply more time.
Lanyards can be picked up from the USO or pre-security Information desks between 10:00am and 6:00pm. Desks are located at:
- North and South security checkpoint desks
- Baggage Claim 6 and 10
- Terminal 1 Baggage Claim 2
- USO Terminal 1
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