Below you'll see stores that highlight the quality work performed by aviation professionals at Newark. We will continue to build upon the base at EWR and add to this list as we get them - so check back regularly.

Name: Ralph Tucker
Airline/Airport: Newark – Travelers’ Aid

I am an aviation professional. I am proud of what I do because I help passengers and people from all over the country and the world every day. When I see someone who looks lost or confused in the airport, I take pride in asking if I may help them. As the Program Director for Travelers Aid, I am proud of the fact that I send people who are stranded in the airport home, to a Consulate, to their local destinations or elsewhere when they are without funds or resources.

At the end of the day it is very satisfying to know that you helped someone who might have missed a flight without assistance or to help someone who has made poor choices recover from a potentially more distressing situation. Helping people is not just a job or chore for me. It is really a pleasure, even a privilege. Finally, I am proud of what I do because I have established rapport with airport employees in almost every kind of job in the airport.

Not only does this help to create an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation, but it helps to serve passengers and the general public much more efficiently. It is as if all of the resources from these connections can be availed to help the patrons of the airport.

name: John Geddes
airline/airport: Newark Liberty International Airport/Port Authority

story:: Having grown up in the shadow of EWR {Hillside, NJ} on the approach to Runway 11, Newark Airport (now Newark Liberty International Airport) has been an ever-present part of my life. Little did I realize in the early fifties when I would see my father off from the Newark Airport Terminal Building #1 (now the Port Authority Administration Building) that I would one day actually work in this structure.

And who would have thought when I took my first flight from the then new terminal in the summer of 1954 (which with the advent of PEOPLExpress became know as the North Terminal) that I would ever work there as well. And who would have imagined as I left for Vietnam in May of 1967 as I saw the mountains of sand that were in place in preparation for the construction of the Runway 4L/22R that I would ever be a part of the EWR family.

For me, Newark Liberty International Airport has always been and continues to be a ubiquitous presence and important part of my life, and I feel privileged to have been a witness to and a participant in its incredible growth and development into the 21st century.

name: Lou Illiano
airport: Newark Liberty International Airport
story: I began my Federal Career with the TSA on November 19, 2001, the same day the legislation that created the Transportation Security Administration was passed. Having worked with United Airlines at Newark on 9/11, I am, in a sense, the first TSA baby!

The scariest day of my life was Sept. 13, 2001. The shock and fear of the 11th had subsided, and we at United were struggling to deal with the new reality. We were still grounded. The clear blue sky was quiet. Dead quiet. No planes moved on the ramp. No tugs, no fuel trucks, no catering trucks, no baggage carts. A piece of paper blew across the taxi way. No FOD patrols. The lobbies were empty. No passengers. The planes at the gate were dark and quiet. No buses pulled up to the front of the building. No cabs, no cars.

Today, more than 5 years later, the ramps are busy. The lobbies are overflowing, the result of a snow storm this week. Cancel and rebook. A thousand times over. The lines are long, but moving. Uniformed TSOs motion, beckon and bellow to passengers: shoes off, coats off, lap tops out of their cases. I smile at one of the Supervisors, “What’s up? Do you need any help”

He smiles, “ Nothin. They cancelled a lot of flights yesterday. We’ll get them through.”

“Hang in there!” I say. I see a crisply uniformed TSA exit lane guard. She is looking out at the ramp. Inbound aircraft are crossing the active, bound for their gates. Outbound aircraft are forming the long snake dance that will get them to “Position and Hold.” Snow plows are scraping the ice. Snow melters are billowing steam and diesel exhaust. Front End loaders are piling the brownish grey snow into the melters. Baggage carts race back and forth, catering trucks, lav service trucks, fuel trucks, Port ops, yellow becons flashing check traction, police cars, Ambulances, 18 wheelers delivering to the food court. “What’s up?” I ask.

“Nothing”, she smiles, “It always amazes me out there!”

“Yes” I say, “Takes quite a ballet to get those planes out on time.”

She smiles and nods, and turns to process the Air Marshal who has come up behind me. I nod and smile at the FAM. They don’t usually like to chat. I stroll up to the satellite, full restaurants, customers buying magazines, ties, coffee. Overhead speakers announce departing flights. Frustrated gate agents make the “last, final call for flight…” I run into a crew I know, quick hugs and kisses. Nothing new. Complaints about the weather, the traffic, the flying this month, the Pension Guarantee Corp, the heavy loads today. Bye, fly safe.

I see a screening manager, nothing to report. Passports, cars keys, laptops, belts, lost and found, many returned, some not. Nothing out of the ordinary. We’ll screen over 30 million passengers at Newark this year. 34 million actually, but what is 3 or 4 million among friends? And most days will be described as same old same old. Nothing new.

I meet my wife as she rushes out. She gives me the important highlights of her day: Michael has a sinus infection, Liz needs to be picked up at 9, she\'ll be back about 9:30, chicken on the stove, how are things at the airport? Fine, nothing new, cleaning up after the storm. I turn on the news: war, crime, suicide bombers, celebrity substance abuse and in aviation, a business jet had a problem with its landing gear, but lands safely.

Hard to believe that you can be proud of nothing. Only if you experienced chaos and uncertainty, can you truly appreciate the ordinary and routine. Most people don’t understand how much time, training, dedication and plain old hard work goes into creating a system which performs miracles thousands of times each day. And performs those miracles in such a way that the miracles are described as “nothing.”

To the TSOs who helped restore confidence in the system, and the other aviation safety professionals, I proudly say, ”Thanks for Nothing!”

name: Stephanie Vigilotti
airline/airport: EWR-Station Manager Air Jamaica
story:: I am PROUD of what I do because each day as I see my brightly colored Airbus A-320 push off Gate 56 in Terminal B at 1340L loaded safely with baggage, food, fuel, crew and passengers and look at the faces of my gate agents and see the sense of accomplishment on their face I am proud! Proud to be their leader and proud to have trained them to do their job diligently.

Proud to have raised their awareness on everything from coming to work in a clean and ironed uniform to airline security to safely evacuating Terminal B in case of an emergency.

Proud because while growing up in a house that sat directly under a departure and approach path for JFK, I still can remember the feeling when the big jets took to the sky, sometimes shaking the house, listening to the sound of the engines roar above or smelling the burnt jet fuel on a damp morning. I still can remember when at 0900 and 1300L in elementary school my teacher always having to stop for a few seconds while the Air France and British Airways Concorde flew directly over our school making it impossible for anyone to hear anything but the piercing but exhileratingly exciting roar of those engines.

I am proud because for the past 12 years I have been a part of the most fantastic industry in this world...AVIATION!

name: Yuko Dierkes
airline/airport: UAL Frankfurt, Germany
story:: I flew as a child of parents relocating for jobs. Back then, the 'stewardesses' and the fun toys that we received onboard were the highlights of traveling by air. The nice ladies would always smile at us and give us extra attention. The toys that we were allowed to keep (gasp!) provided hours of entertainment long after we reached our destination. Both the crew and the souvenirs made such an impression with me that for me to fly families to Disneyland or Europe and to make it a special experience is just passing on something that was given to me.

name: John Markase
airline/airport: EWR
story:: I love Newark Liberty International Airport. I have been an employee for only three months. I work at the "Travelers Aid" booth in terminals
A&B. I can't tell you how proud I am to wear the name tag that says, "EWR". I walk around that airport like I'm the CEO, and that its my airport and don't mess with it. I have always been impressed with flight, and I still think that it’s just amazing. Although I am just a small cog on a very big wheel, I know that I am important to the balance of the wheel. That’s what makes "EWR" something very special.

name: Ron Delucia
comments: untold story. Dave Bartelli Chaplain EWR. He helped numerous airline employees. Did services for many of the people lost. A good person to recognize and makes me proud to know him.

Name: Donald Signorino
Airport: EWR
Story: I know that my work helps many people have a better and safer airport experience and it gives me a good feeling that I’m able to help others.

Name: Hiram Arocho
Airport: EWR
Story: It’s rewarding to help other people!

name: Henry J. Carl
airline/airport: Newark Liberty International
story:: I’m proud of the work I do, working Landside Operations. Here’s an example: it was a busy day @ the airport recently. A tanker truck turned over at Port Street spilling diesel fuel on the roadway. I had to respond to Ogden Allied to escort a tanker to the scene to transfer the fuel due to the fact that it was running into the drains. At the same time two people were taking pictures of aircraft from the Turnpike. Then a Hand Grenade was found on the Kitty Hawk ramp (it was determined to be a Dummy, a memento from Iraq.) Then a call came in that an elderly passenger fell on the Air Train @ P-2 station. Myself and another PA agent, John Corrigan, responded to the station to find the elderly woman in the train. Her daughter said she had just came out of the hospital from Cancer. I called officer Williams to have Mic 5 respond to the medical then I personally took the daughter to National Car Rental to retrieve a car for her and her mother.

Name: Mary Jane Rutigliano
Airport: EWR
Story: I have an opportunity to make a difference in the way people in our neighboring communities view the airport. My job with Port Authority is community outreach. I get to talk to students in neighboring schools about their futures and introduce them to the aviation industry. I get to get them jobs through our various programs and help them learn to plan for their futures with pride.

Name: Sherrill Alston
Airport: EWR
Story: I work in Stage Deli in Terminal B. I am the person who provides you with wonderful customer service at our restaurant. Remember – that’s where you get the best sandwiches in the world, at my Stage Deli!

Name: Ingrid
Airport: EWR
Story: I am a Gateway agent. I work on the Air Train platform and give directions and information. I am proud of what I do because I love helping people – and making them smile!

Name: Mike Cesena
Airport: EWR
Story: I manage the concessions. I’m proud because the work I do helps make this airport experience worthwhile for so many people.

Name: Antoinette Marie Ruth
Airport: EWR
Story: Newark Liberty Int’l Airport is the greatest, and I’m proud and honored to be a customer care professional for Gateway. I might add that my service is the greatest! A winning pair!

Name: Julio Periera
Airport: EWR
Story: I’m proud because it makes a difference!

Name: Pat Bonner
Airport: EWR
Story: Despite what Dunkin’ Donuts claims, America runs because of an airport!

Name: Andrew Kitsopoulos
Airport: EWR
Story: I manage the bookstores. I get a chance every day to help people enjoy traveling and exploring. I am especially proud when my staff is able to help travelers in distress. I am proud to work with an amazing group of airport professionals.

Name: Rico A. Soriano
Airport: EWR
Story: Not everyone is able to do it. I get a chance to stand tall giving the best customer service in terms of helping passengers get important information.

Name: John Jacoby
Airport: EWR
Story: As a member of Port Authority I am part of a community of professionals who care about and are passionate about serving the public. A community that can day in/day out is creative and resourceful in responding to the needs of individual customers and able to work together to respond to major emergencies like 9/11, as well as more normal disruptions such as snowstorms, mechanical failures and conditions outside our control. And all done with good humor, respect and mutual support.

Name: Stew Cutler
Airport: EWR
Story: I’m proud because this work gives me the opportunity to work with great people.

Edited 5/12/2007 3:12 pm ET by reclaimingdirector