San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Customer Service volunteers are now staffing the Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility to assist customers arriving from international flights. Currently, 40 of the Airport's 200 volunteers are signed up and have been given training by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff. These volunteers speak 12 different languages – including Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindustani. The volunteers can be identified by their teal-colored SFO jackets and red Airport identification badges with the Customs' seal. The Airport will schedule volunteers during peak arrival times in the international terminal. As more volunteers become trained and receive authorisation to work in the FIS facility, the Airport will adjust the staffing based upon the need. The customer service and translation assistance of this new programme will help support SFO's seven-daily flights from Dubai on Emirates Airline. The volunteers will staff the entrance into the queuing area for immigration and assist customers with any information they may require, from selecting and filling out the appropriate Customs and Immigrations forms, to helping customers find exits, restrooms and baggage carousels. They will not take over any duties currently assigned to airline or CBP staff. SFO's volunteer programme, one of the largest in the country, has been active since 1955. The volunteers range in age from 17 to 91 years old. John L. Martin, Director, San Francisco Airport said, "SFO's Customer Service volunteers provide an invaluable service for our travellers. Many of our volunteers are retired airline and travel professionals that can provide our customers with the right information at the right time. The expansion of their unique service and skills to our arriving international passengers is a further example of our commitment to unparalleled customer service and support." |
Monday, June 21, 2010