Prospect Airport Services Wheelchair Assistance Provider Ahmed Kargbo recently received the “Caring Support” award from Philadelphia International Airport's (PHL) Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes employees who provide exceptional care and services to seniors, families with young children, disabled passengers, and others with special needs.
Kargbo has been at PHL for eight years and works the 12:30 - 9 p.m. shift. He assists travelers in need of wheelchairs, helping them navigate through the airport, from the ticketing counter through security, to their gate and on to the aircraft. He also assists arriving travelers with deplaning and retrieving their luggage in baggage claim.
Originally from Sierra Leone, Kargbo is a certified teacher. “When you are a teacher, you are a caregiver,” he said. “I love taking care of people, that is why I decided to stay here for this long. I love getting to know new people and working with kids.”
While working at PHL, Kargbo demonstrates values of customer-centrism, transcending expectations, effectiveness, respect, commitment, and integrity.
In her nomination of Kargbo, passenger Janet Lynch stated, “I was traveling with my 85-year-old mother earlier this year. I was dreading navigating the airport and security with a walker and wheelchair. Ahmed Kargbo was outstanding. He jumped up to help, was kind, caring and patient with my mom and me. His empathy and kindness for the elderly is so important in his job. I could not thank him enough for the level of service we received. I appreciate how challenging it must be to get the right folks in these roles and trained. You have a winner in Ahmed. His service made a difference.”
Kargbo maintains a cordial relationship with his coworkers and assists them when they need it, as they have a strong sense of teamwork. He’s also been able to build a good rapport with airline gate agents and TSA employees. He prides himself on the fact that the passengers he’s assisted have never missed their flight.
Over the years, Kargbo has increased his social and communication skills while working with passengers. He appreciates it when they are interested in his native background as he enjoys connecting with them. He also appreciates PHL’s Employee Recognition Program for displaying his photo throughout the airport, as the recognition has caught the attention and appreciation of his current passengers.
“I enjoy working for Prospect because they come to you with a smile,” said Kargbo. I want to thank the Prospect management team for their confidence in me. I thank them for making me into the person I am today. I also want to thank my coworkers because we are always working together as a team. I also would like to thank the airport for this recognition.”
The PHL Employee Recognition Program was established by the airport’s Guest Experience (GX) Department. Honorees are nominated by their peers and selected by the GX Council Steering Committee’s Employee Conduct and Recognition Committee. For more information about the program and to nominate an employee, click here.
