Cincinnati /
Northern KentuckyInternational Airport

One of the critical functions at CVG is the Airport Operations Center (AOC), where a team full of telecommunicators serve as the watchful eyes and ears of the airport. How do they do this? This specialized team is constantly monitoring all aspects related to safety and operations at the airport while fielding emergency and non-emergency phone calls. At times, the team answers as many as 120 calls daily; more than 5,000 calls are fielded per month during peak times. All of this happens while they juggle a multi-channel radio system, monitor alarms, provide security access to perimeter gates, and page over the intercom systems.The team stays busy. CVG welcomed 8.7 million passengers in 2023, a 15% increase over 2022, and there are more than 16,000 badged employees working across the airport campus.“Earlier in the year, I took a 9-1-1 call from an employee who works with an aviation business at CVG. He had just ended his shift and was walking with a coworker. Once they reached their cars and were saying their goodbyes, the coworker started to have a seizure and was bleeding from biting his tongue. The caller stated that he had never had to call 9-1-1 before and he was scared. With the extensive training I had, I was able to calm the caller so that he was able to answer questions and listen to pre-arrival instructions before airport firefighters arrived on scene,” said Madison Rechtin, telecommunicator.Madison, along with her coworkers, are experts in providing over the phone medical directions before help arrives. They are friendly and remain calm with each caller throughout their shifts and know what action to take when a person needs them the most.“I received a call from a worried mom, who was concerned about her daughter, who is visually impaired. The daughter was trying to fly back home, but she missed her first flight, and her phone battery was dying. I looked at the camera and found the daughter. I then asked a public safety assistant (PSA) to check in on her. The PSA helped the daughter make her way to the ticketing counter so she could get her flight rebooked. I called the mom to tell her the good news, and I connected her with the airline for further assistance. Helping the family was rewarding, and we are always happy to lend a helping hand,” said Kaitlyn Howard, telecommunicator.While calls like the one Kaitlyn described are some of the most heartwarming, other calls may surprise you.“I have talked a caller through AED (automated external defibrillator) instructions then my next call was to enter a work order for a loose toilet seat,” said Jennifer Van Fleet, lead telecommunicator.The telecommunicators dispatch maintenance crews for routine services. If an employee or passenger sees a safety hazard at CVG, they are encouraged to call dispatchers at 859-767-7777 to report the issue. The team of dispatchers also verify IDs for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and other agencies, help passengers locate lost items, and even coordinate mutual aid calls for when a surrounding jurisdiction needs help from airport firefighters or airport police.“We do camera and investigative work for police officers and handle multiple radios and numerous phone calls. We also monitor the weather, help travelers with customer service issues, and ensure first responder safety,” responded Sara McLaughlin, telecommunicator.Although their jobs are high-stress and high-stakes, the team remains a very tightknit group, working together in 12-hour shifts and providing 24/7 dispatch coverage for CVG.“Each and every person in the AOC will jump in and help and back up their partners and each other without hesitation. I can say from personal experience that the comradery we have here is not always present at every other dispatch center. What we have here is unique and could be used as an example for other centers to follow,” said Jason Chambers, telecommunicator.If working on CVG’s telecommunicator team might be a career for you, you are encouraged to apply online at [jobs.cvgairport.com](https://www.cvgairport.com/careers/jobs/), or reach out to hrinfo@cvgairport.com for questions. If you are not looking for a job now but are interested in how you can keep others safe, this is how you can contribute.How you can help1. For emergency calls (medical, fire, life safety, accidents, etc.) call 911. Clearly identify your location as CVG Airport and give the specific operational area of the emergency.2. For non-emergency and administrative calls to Airport Operations, call 859-767-7777 and select the appropriate response in the call tree.3. Please be patient and stay on the line. Due to call volume and the task of juggling multiple calls and radio traffic, you may be placed on a brief hold due to emergency priorities.4. Please be prepared for questions during your emergency call. The protocol of questioning is to get you the best resource and care for your emergency needs. As emergency medical dispatches, we are also providing pre-arrival instructions to help until an emergency responder arrives on scene.5. Be patient on the phone or radio with us; the AOC can get busy, and we are often handling multiple calls at one time.

All-inclusive resorts and sunny beaches are just a short, nonstop flight away.When was the last time you turned off your phone, closed your laptop, and spent some quality time lounging on the beach? If it’s been a minute, let’s chat about why you should consider Cancun and Riviera Maya as your next vacation destination.Soak up the sun in Cancun.The hotel and resort options are endless.Cancun and Riviera Maya (including areas like Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, and the island of Cozumel) are among the most visited tourist regions in Mexico and boast over 120,000 hotel rooms. Whether you’re interested in simple overnight accommodations or want to splurge on a massive, luxury all-inclusive resort on the beach, you’ll find it. Pork tacos, anyone?It can be overwhelming to decide where to go and where to stay. One thing I’d recommend as you begin your trip planning is to hop on TripAdvisor and check out the things you’d like to see and do. Save them as you go, and then view them all on a map. If the majority of things you’d like to see are near Tulum, stay there.These boats are ready to head out from the beach in Cancun.If you don’t want to spend much time exploring and plan to be at a resort for most of your stay, skip right to the hotels page on TripAdvisor and explore the amenities of each property. You can also enter your desired travel dates and compare prices.Punta Sur Eco Beach in Cozumel is picture perfect.Remember you’ll need to factor in travel time from the Cancun airport to your resort. Tulum and areas to the south will take about an hour to reach from the Cancun airport. Cozumel requires a ferry, which will add another 45+ minutes to your journey.Cancun is in sight…ready for landing!It has never been easier to get to Cancun!CVG has several nonstop airline choices to get to and from Cancun easily. Four carriers at CVG offer year-round or seasonal service to the sunny shores of Mexico.- Frontier (departs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays year-round)- Viva Aerobus (departs Sundays year-round)- American (seasonal winter service)- Delta (seasonal winter service)Service days and routes are subject to change at any time.Keep in mind you will need a valid passport to travel to Cancun. Be sure to apply or renew your passport well before you travel and stay up to date on the current processing times [here](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html).Playa Delfines is gorgeous.The beach looks great; what else is there to do?Cancun is home to famous beaches like [Playa Delfines](https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/cancun/zona-hotelera/attractions/playa-delfines/a/poi-sig/411558/1342478), and many of my friends can lie out by a pool or in a beach chair for seven days and love every minute of it. And that’s totally cool! I love visiting beautiful beaches and spending some time relaxing, but I usually get a little antsy and want to see what else is happening in a new destination.There are many shopping and dining options in Playa del Carmen.Cancun, Riviera Maya, and the surrounding areas have a lot to offer.Xoximilco CancunThere’s music…with food…and drinks…on a boat with friends! What could be better? Check out [Xoximilco](https://www.xoximilco.com/en/), and enjoy a ride on a trajinera through canals with live entertainment and games paying homage to the famous Xoximilco lagoon. Consider booking your ticket in advance during peak season. Taking control of a monster truck? Yes!XavageAt this thrill park, you can drive your own monster truck and get muddy, take on a ropes course, or hop aboard a jet boat. [Xavage](https://www.xavage.com/en/?langRedirect=1) offers a variety of adrenaline filled activities and includes meals throughout the day. The coolest part is that all activities are unlimited, as is the food. Book in advance for cheaper tickets.Cenotes Dos OjosCenotes’ naturally occurring sinkholes filled with water are beautiful to see in person. Many of them, including [Cenotes Dos Ojos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistema_Dos_Ojos), located about one hour south of Cancun, offer relaxing swimming, snorkeling, or diving opportunities. The area surrounding the Tulum Ruins adds to the experience.Tulum Archaeological SiteThe ruins of this Mayan city sit along a beautiful coastline, which makes for a perfect day trip from Cancun. Situated about 90 minutes south of the Cancun tourist area, the [Tulum Archaeological Site](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150813-d153186-Reviews-Tulum_Archaeological_Site-Tulum_Yucatan_Peninsula.html) or Tulum Ruins offers the chance to see temples, palaces, and watch towers.Historic Chichen Itza awaits.Chichen ItzaTake a daytrip to one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Mexico, [Chichen Itza](https://www.chichenitza.com/). Over two million people come through this 1,500-year-old site every year. To visit one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World,” you can book a reputable guide service or check with your hotel to help arrange a tour.Mayan Museum of CancunThis highly rated modern museum features many artifacts and displays the history of the Mayan people and archaeology of Quintana Roo. With an entry fee around $5, the [Mayan Museum of Cancun](https://www.inah.gob.mx/museos/museo-maya-de-cancun) is a great way to spend an afternoon.Tulum RuinsBook a vacation package and leave the planning to the pros.Don’t feel like sifting through hotel reviews or figuring out how to get to and from the airport in Cancun? [Vacation Express](https://www.vacationexpress.com/) and [Apple Vacations](https://www.applevacations.com/) offer complete packages, many of which feature all-inclusive resorts.Check out the lighthouse overlooking the beach in Cozumel.What to know about sargassum?Like many Caribbean, Mexican, and Central American destinations, Cancun beaches have to deal with a build- up of grass called sargassum. It’s not harmful, but it stinks if it sits on shore for a while. Large-scale efforts are in place to reduce the amount of sargassum that washes ashore, and many hours are spent by workers removing the grass if it does reach the shoreline.The “sargassum season” runs from around late January to September. It won’t ruin a trip (we dealt with heavy sargassum on a trip to Belize), but it’s something to be aware of.Taakk Bi Ha Cenote near Playa del CarmenI’m always on the lookout for low fares and post them on the [Jay’s Deals](https://jetwithjay.cvgairport.com/jays-deals/) page. I’d love to hear about your Cancun trip! You can reach me on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JayKruzOfficial), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jaykruzofficial/), and X ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/jaykruzofficial)) at @JayKruzOfficial.I’ll see you in a lounge chair by the pool!-Jay