From The Runway Up: An Airport and Aviation Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

McGhee Tyson Airport’s Flight Plan is a comprehensive 10-year initiative aimed at enhancing the airport’s facilities and passenger experience to meet the needs of a growing East Tennessee community. Kicking off with the construction of a new parking garage, the plan includes expanded parking, roadway improvements, and upgraded terminal spaces. Community leaders and stakeholders expressed excitement about the economic and travel benefits the project will bring to the region. With strong employee and community support, the Flight Plan is charting the course for the future of McGhee Tyson Airport to better serve travel needs today, tomorrow, and in the future.

Episode Description

Did you know that McGhee Tyson Airport is just one hour away from the most visited national park in the US? More than 12 million people visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year, generating a more than $1 billion economic impact for our region. In this episode, we speak with Caitlin Worth of the National Park Service as she shares the parks’ history, secrets, and future developments.

Guests in this Episode

Caitlin Worth is the acting management assistant and public affairs specialist at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Mentioned in this Episode

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP)
• National Park Service (NPS)
• 130 species of trees in the Smokies
• Sugarlands Visitor Center
• Careers with the NPS: start with a volunteership or intership
• The TomCast with Tom Stanley
• Tips for a successful trip to the Smokies:
  • Plan ahead!
    • Visit the park’s website for active closures and alerts
  • Treat wildlife with respect!
  • Expect there to be traffic!
• Annually, the GSNMP generates an economic impact of more than $1 billion and contributes to more than 14,000 jobs in our region
• There is 73 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the GSMNP– hikers call it their ‘favorite section’ of the AT

Music in this Episode

• Birdy by KV https://soundcloud.com/kvmusicprod
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
• Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/dSCbsObNJo0

The post TYS and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Where Modern Transportation Meets Nature’s Wonders appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Episode Description

This episode explores the vast amount of resources available to minority-owned businesses through airports and their local municipalities. Alan Jones, Director of Administration and DBE Liasion Officer with the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, and Pamela Cotham, Assistant Purchasing Agent and Small Business & Diversity Outreach Manager for the City of Knoxville, share their passion for fostering relationships and opportunities for companies that qualify as a Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBE). Through their wealth of experience, learn how to qualify as a DBE, become eligible for consideration for projects, and tap into a multitude of beneficial programs.

Guest in this Episode https://fromtherunwayup.com/2021/02/25/how-tys-local-municipalities-are-leveling-the-playing-field-for-minority-owned-businesses/aj-art-photo-14-006/ https://fromtherunwayup.com/2021/02/25/how-tys-local-municipalities-are-leveling-the-playing-field-for-minority-owned-businesses/pic_in_blue_jean_jacket/ Mentioned in this Episode

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
• Alan Jones’ DBE Presentation to the MKAA Board of Commissioners
• History of the Department of Transportation DBE Program
• East Tennessee Purchasing Association
• Diversity Business Alliance, which is made up of the following eight agencies: 
  • City of Knoxville
  • Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority
  • Knox County
  • University of Tennessee
  • Knoxville’s Community Development Corp.
  • Blount County 
  • Public Building Authority
  • Knoxville Utilities Board 
• TDOT’s DBE Certification Process 
• More than 800 vendors are certified through TDOT’s process
• 4th Annual (Virtual) Diversity Business Expo: March 4, 2021
• Tennessee Veterans Business Association 

Music in this Episode

• Birdy by KV https://soundcloud.com/kvmusicprod
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
• Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/dSCbsObNJo0

The post How TYS & Local Municipalities are ‘Leveling the Playing Field’ for Minority-Owned Businesses appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Episode Description

It’s a new year, and we’re diving into another year of aviation-related podcast topics for your listening and learning pleasure. From new flights launching soon to what to expect when you enter the airport terminal building, this 20 minute episode will get you up to speed with what has been happening at TYS and what you can expect the next time you travel.

Mentioned in this Episode

• McGhee Tyson Airport Statistics
• Flights Schools at Downtown Island Airport
• Photos: Long-term Parking Lot Improvement Project 
• TDOT Alcoa Highway Construction Project
  • Hunt Road Bridge is Now Open!
• MKAA Appoints New Chairman and Vice-Chairman
• Allegiant Resumes Seasonal Flights
• American Resumes Service to MIA & DCA
• COVID Travel Updates on FlyKnoxville.com
• CDC Travel Planner Tool

Music in this Episode

• Birdy by KV https://soundcloud.com/kvmusicprod
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
• Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/dSCbsObNJo0

The post Discussing What’s Upcoming and the Unknowns for 2021 at TYS appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Episode Description

Travelers have a lot of questions these days about what to expect at the airport and when onboard an airplane. In this episode, we answer 20+ of those frequently asked questions.  We don’t just answer them— we take a deep dive into the questions with six different airport experts. From new flights, to runway construction, the REAL ID deadline, and updated concessionaire hours, you’ll learn it all after listening to these quick interviews.

Guest in this Episode https://fromtherunwayup.com/2020/11/04/you-asked-experts-answer-20-qas-about-air-travel-tys/evans-jim/ https://fromtherunwayup.com/2020/11/04/you-asked-experts-answer-20-qas-about-air-travel-tys/williams-joel-2/ https://fromtherunwayup.com/2020/11/04/you-asked-experts-answer-20-qas-about-air-travel-tys/giffin-jennifer-2/ https://fromtherunwayup.com/2020/11/04/you-asked-experts-answer-20-qas-about-air-travel-tys/white-bryan/ https://fromtherunwayup.com/2020/11/04/you-asked-experts-answer-20-qas-about-air-travel-tys/schroth-david/ https://fromtherunwayup.com/2020/11/04/you-asked-experts-answer-20-qas-about-air-travel-tys/huckaby-becky/

 

Mentioned in this Episode

• Allegiant Air offers nonstop service to Punta Gorda.
• Pre-pandemic at TYS: 28 nonstop destinations– currently have 24 nonstop destinations
• Pre-pandemic at TYS: three years of consecutive passenger growth– current passenger numbers are down approximately 55%
• Predicting a little under 1 million annual passengers in 2020, compared to 2.5 million passengers in 2019
• Allegiant Air offers nonstop service to Boston.
• Differences between the Short Term, Long Term, and Economy Parking Lots
• Taxi Companies available at TYS
• Hand sanitizing stations are available at every gate and restroom at TYS.
• Complimentary masks are available at the Information Booth in Baggage Claim.
• Runway Construction Project Completion Date: (no later than) September/October 2021
• Rental Cars available at TYS
• Current Concessionaire hours: 
  • Ruby Tuesday’s:
    • 7am-7pm (or last departing flight) daily
  • Starbucks:
    • Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday: 4:30am-6:00pm
    • Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday: 4:30am-12:00pm
  • Quizno’s:
    • Monday: closed
    • Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday: 8:00am-3:00pm
    • Thursday, Sunday: 6:00am-6:00pm
    • Friday: 8:00am-6:00pm
  • Tennessee Marketplace (post-security gift shop):
    • 4:30am-8:30pm (or last departing flight) daily
  • Smoky Mountain Travel Mart (pre-security gift shop):
    • Monday, Friday, Sunday: 9:00am-4:00pm
  • Cinnabon and Pizzeria Uno are currently closed
• Ruby Tuesday’s recent bankruptcy announcement is not currently impacting operations at TYS. 
• State air travel restrictions
• Donations put in the donations box beside the bear in front of the fountain benefit Friends of the Smokies.
• REAL ID Deadline: October 1, 2021
  • Learn more about REAL ID from our previous podcast episode

Music in this Episode

• Birdy by KV https://soundcloud.com/kvmusicprod
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
• Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/dSCbsObNJo0

The post You Asked, Experts Answer: 20+ Q&As about Air Travel & TYS appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Episode Description

Along with airlines and airports across the country, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is having to adapt its security checkpoint procedures in order to comply with current pandemic protocols. TSA’s new campaign, ‘Stay Healthy. Stay Secure.’, ensures travelers’ safety and security continue to be the number one priority by enforcing additional policies, such as social distancing, contactless identification verification, plastic shielding, and more. In this episode, Mark Howell, the regional spokesperson for TSA, shares how you can best-prepare for air travel right now, as well as what you’ll need to know for traveling in the future (i.e. REAL ID).

Guest in this Episode

Mark Howell is the Regional Spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration covering airports in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Mentioned in this Episode

• TSA Checkpoint Travel Numbers for 2020 and 2019
• “TSA Administrator Pekoske announces ‘Stay Healthy. Stay Secure.’ campaign prior to the Independence Day holiday weekend”
• Video: “Stay Healthy. Stay Secure.”
• Current TSA PreCheck Average Wait Time: 1 minute
• Mark’s advice for traveling during the pandemic: plan ahead!
  • “TSA: What to Know Before You Go”
• TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags that passengers will need to remove from their bags before screening. 
• ‘What Can I Bring?’ Tool 
• New REAL ID Deadline: October 1, 2021
• REAL ID Requirements
• TSA has seen a decrease in passenger volumes, but an increase in the rate of firearms found at the checkpoints nationwide

Music in this Episode

• Birdy by KV https://soundcloud.com/kvmusicprod
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
• Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/dSCbsObNJo0

The post TSA Update: ‘Stay Healthy. Stay Secure’ + REAL ID appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Episode Description

Airlines are taking major steps forward in preparing their aircraft for travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we speak with Hilarie Grey, Managing Director of Corporate Communications for Allegiant Air, as she explains how her airline is ‘going the distance for health and safety’. After listening to her commentary, you will be an expert in all-things air filtration, antimicrobial protectant, and more. 

Guest in this Episode

Hilarie Grey is the Managing Director of Corporate Communications for the Allegiant Travel Company.    

Mentioned in this Episode

• Travel Pulse: “Top 10 North American Airlines for COVID-19 Traveler Safety Measures”
• Current travel mini-trend: people traveling to national parks and visiting open spaces
• Typically, Allegiant’s passenger numbers account for 2% of the nationwide TSA throughput numbers. In June 2020, Allegiant accounted for 6-7% of total TSA national traffic, which shows the current strength of leisure travel
• Allegiant Air was the first airline to require facemarks throughout the entire travel experience. 
• Allegiant Air offers all travelers a complimentary healthy and safety kit, which includes mask and wipes. 
• Going the Distance for Health and Safety
• Allegiant Air now offers nonstop flights from TYS to Boston. 

Music in this Episode

• Birdy by KV https://soundcloud.com/kvmusicprod
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
• Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/dSCbsObNJo0

The post COVID-19 Safety Measures from an Airline’s Perspective: Air Filtration, Antimicrobial Protectant, and More appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Episode Description

Making the decision to travel by air during a pandemic can be stressful. You may be curious about the boarding process or interested in how airlines are handling food and beverage service onboard the airplane. What’s it like going through the security checkpoint or even customs? In this episode, your questions are answered by four different frequent flyers: a pilot, leisure traveler, international traveler, and airport employee. They provide you stories of their recent travel experiences in airports around the world while offering tips on how to prepare for your next flight. Listen to this episode so that when you’re ready to take to the skies, you know what to expect.

Guests in this Episode

In this episode, we chat with four different people that traveled recently through McGhee Tyson Airport.

Interview One: Matt is a pilot for a legacy carrier and has flown frequently during the pandemic both for work and leisure.

Interview Two: Brooke is a leisure traveler who flew from TYS to LGA in March. 

Interview Three: Jacob flew to Germany in July to surprise his family (pictured: Jacob departing Berlin-Tegel Airport).

Interview Four: Tom is an Airport Authority employee and an avid aviation enthusiast. He has flown frequently during the pandemic.

Mentioned in this Episode– Travel Tips to Implement During Your Next Flight:

• Wear a mask!
• Pack snacks.
• Don’t crowd the boarding lanes.
• Sanitize the frequently-touched areas on the aircraft. 
• Board the plane last so you aren’t crowding others. 
• Get a window seat for better air circulation. 
• Turn on the overhead air vent for better air circulation. 
• Choose a nonstop flight instead of one with connections.

Music in this Episode

• Birdy by KV https://soundcloud.com/kvmusicprod
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
• Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/dSCbsObNJo0

The post Insight and Advice On Traveling During A Pandemic appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Episode Description

As aircraft return to the skies, McGhee Tyson Airport is beginning to see slow but positive increases in passenger traffic and air cargo operations. In this episode, we are joined by Jim Evans, the MKAA’s Vice President of Marketing & Air Service Development, who is closely monitoring even the slightest changes in aviation. In addition, listeners will learn about what TYS is doing to provide a safe airport travel environment.

Guests in this Episode

In this episode, we are joined by Jim Evans, Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development. He has been with the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) for 13 years and has been in the aviation industry for more than 40 years. 

 

Mentioned in this Episode

• Previous Podcast Episode: Special Edition: COVID-19- The Pandemic’s Impact on TYS and the Aviation Industry
• Allegiant Air launches NEW nonstop flights to: 
  • Chicago, IL: Chicago Midway International Airport
  • Houston, TX: William P. Hobby Airport
  • Austin, TX: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
• Allegiant Air resumes seasonal service to: 
  • Las Vegas, NV: McCarran International Airport
  • Denver, CO: Denver International Airport
  • Baltimore, MD/ Washington D.C.: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
  • Destin, FL: Destin- Fort Walton Beach Airport 
• FlyKnoxville.com: COVID-19 Update
• “Frontier Airlines to Implement Airport Temperature Screenings EffectiveJune 1”
• FedEx and UPS handled 6,665,621 pounds of cargo at TYS in March 2020
• Flyknoxville.com – Statistics
• “Airlines Struggle to Balance Scheduling Fewer Flights With More Travelers Seeking Social Distance”
• “The Airline Business Is Terrible. It Will Probably Get Even Worse.”
• Consolidated March 2020 Statistics:

          Music in this Episode

• Birdy by KV https://soundcloud.com/kvmusicprod
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
• Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/dSCbsObNJo0

The post Fluctuations of Passenger Travel and Air Cargo at TYS During COVID-19 appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Episode Description

Over the course of two months, daily operations in the aviation industry quickly ground to a halt due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The effects were felt in airports around the globe. In this episode, we discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on McGhee Tyson Airport as well as other US airports from the perspective of industry experts. 

Guests in this Episode

In this episode, we are joined by Patrick Wilson, President of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA); Trevis Gardner, MKAA Vice President of Operations; and Gwen Basaria, Vice President of Member Experience for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

 

Patrick Wilson, A.A.E., is president of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA), which owns and operates both McGhee Tyson and Downtown Island Airports in Knoxville, TN. In his role, Wilson leads a team of employees whose primary focus is to provide East Tennessee pilots and travelers with a safe, convenient and affordable air travel experience. As a leader in aviation for over 27 years, Wilson is an expert at promoting positive relationships with all airport, airline, government and community leaders. 

 

Trevis Gardner, Vice President of Operations, has been with MKAA for 29 years. Gardner is directly responsible for an operations and maintenance organization division of nearly 100 staff members, and also serves in a leadership role as a senior organization officer as Chief Information Officer and Chief Personnel Officer. Trevis has even served multiple terms in local elected office as member and chairman of the Blount County Board of Education. 

 

As AAAE’s Vice President of Member Experience and the AAAE Foundation, Gwen does more than just delight members (though that’s in her job description!).  Gwen passionately serves as chief member advocate at AAAE; identifying their priorities, developing new benefits and services to meet those needs, and elevating member service standards and satisfaction metrics across the association. She also manages the day-to-day operations of the AAAE Foundation, which has awarded over 3,000 scholarships totaling more than $5 million since 1989.

(Credit for bios and photos: MKAA  and AAAE)

Mentioned in this Episode

• TYS is open and operating essential fights that are crucial to the success of our nation.
• Now more than ever, TYS air cargo is playing an important role in providing supplies to those at home and in the medical field in our region.
• CARES Act – Airports
• Timeline of historic events that have impacted the aviation industry:
  • 2001 –> 9/11, 2003 –> SARS, 2008 –> Recession, 2020 –> COVID-19
• The average number of daily passengers has significantly decreased at TYS. The normal average of passengers per day is 4500, but we are currently seeing just 200 passengers per day. 
• TYS hosts two Maintenance and Repair Organizations (MRO), Endeavor Air Maintenance and Express Jet Maintenance, that thoroughly inspect aircraft and perform maintenance on aircraft. Having these two MROs is another great reason that airlines are choosing to park their aircraft at TYS.

Music in this Episode

• Birdy by KV https://soundcloud.com/kvmusicprod
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
• Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/dSCbsObNJo0

The post Special Edition: COVID-19- The Pandemic’s Impact on TYS and the Aviation Industry appeared first on From the Runway Up.