Pathfinder Volunteers

National Volunteer Week | April 27 – May 3, 2008

National Volunteer Week, April 27 to May 3, pays special tribute to volunteers across the country who give of themselves to better their communities and the lives of others.

At Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport we have a group of volunteers, known as the “Pathfinders.”

The Pathfinders are a group of 153 mostly retired, or semi-retired, men and women who love aviation, have a heart filled desire to assist our military personnel, and provide face-to-face, 1st class Customer Service to all visitors.

The Pathfinders come to us from various professional careers in aviation, government, and the private sector. One gentleman is a retired naval aviator and former Chief Pilot with American Airlines. We have several individuals who worked nearby at Ft. Meade with the National Security Agency (NSA). We also have a Pathfinder who is a registered nurse, and another recently retired as a cartoonist with a local newspaper.

Pathfinders contribute at least 4 hours per week staffing several information kiosks, and roaming.
In 2007 they volunteered at our airport for a total of 22,263 hours.

The Pathfinders can be found in the terminal seven days a week, 365 days a year.

• Annual Strawberry Festival, at the Benson Hammond House


• Assisting War World II “Honor Flight” Veterans


• Annual Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Fantasy Flight to the North Pole


• U.S. Military Holiday Mass Exodus of 3,000 Soldiers returning home for the Holidays


• British Troop Movement


• Operation Welcome Home

Join the high-energy, exclusive world of the BWI Airport Volunteers and enjoy an exciting and prominent position where you'll meet interesting people from around the world.

As a BWI Pathfinder, you will help to reinforce the airport's reputation as a friendly place by greeting travelers, answering questions and assisting thousands to navigate the terminal and the region.

As a member of this elite and highly visible team, you will be serving in an environment that is always dynamic and engaging.

So, take off as a BWI Pathfinder and land the best volunteer position in town, at one of the fastest growing airports in North America: BWI.

Pathfinder Testimonials:

"I am recently retired and find being a Pathfinder very rewarding because each time I volunteer I am presented with new and exciting challenges."

"I really enjoy the camaraderie among the Pathfinders and look forward to my shift.  We have so many interesting, helpful and friendly people who I am proud to call my friends."

"I always try to go the extra mile and put myself in the customer's shoes.  If I felt lost, I would want someone to do the same for me."

Training

All Pathfinders attend one full-day orientation, offered quarterly, which  includes an Introduction to our Program, a BWI Airport Tour and various topic-appropriate Guest Speakers.  Each Pathfinder completes at least four one-on-one training sessions with a Pathfinder mentor.

We also encourage participation in our Monthly Newsletter, Brown Bag Lunches, and the MD Office of Tourism Familiarization Tours and Nationally Certified Training Program.

Rewards & Recognition

• Annual Holiday Party
  
  
• Volunteer Appreciation Month Events
  
  
• Complimentary Airport Parking
  
  

Please call us at 410-859-7826 to reserve your spot in our next Pathfinder Orientation.