Myrtle Beach International hits milestone
Michelle Carolla/WBTW News13
Published: December 12, 2007
MYRTLE BEACH -- Myrtle Beach International Airport welcomed a milestone passenger Wednesday. The 800,000th passenger flew in from Laguardia at 2:15.Published: December 12, 2007
However, the flight arrived nearly two hours late due to a delay in New York. Reaching the 800,000 mark is an all-time record high for the airport in a single year. Those numbers reflect a 17 percent increase from last year.
The year 2000, the airport hit its second highest mark at 792,000. Airport management said Myrtle Beach International is the second busiest airport in South Carolina, next to Charleston.
The lucky 800,000th passenger, Kenny Rogers from Florence, travels for business and likes the convenience of the airport. “It's a small airport which makes it easier whenever you’re coming in to go through security, which is what I like. The direct flights are awesome." Rogers won a free flight, dinner and show tickets, among other gifts.
Officials said 48 percent of passengers are golfers, bringing on average a half billion dollars to the local economy per year.
Since its early days, the airport has undergone many changes. But some tried and true employees were there to see it all.
Maintenance worker Carl Jordan is in his 30th year at the airport.
"We try to talk to you and give you the time of day and if you need some help, we try to go out of our way to help you," Jordan said.
That's how Jordan approaches everyday.
He still looks forward to coming to work and spreading a little southern hospitality to visitors flying into Myrtle Beach International.
“Working at the airport you run into all kids of people, not just people here, but from all over the world."
Jordan said the passengers move a little faster than they used to, but he tries to spread a little cheer everyday.
"Fast is not better all the time, you know, sometimes you have to take your time and do things."
And time is what Jordan invested into the airport, along the way working for many different administrators.
"Out of all the one's I like the best, the one that hired me and the one that I still like the best is the one that still let's me work here,” Jordan said.
It's a different day than when Jordan first came to work in November 1977. But he decided early on that he would make his career at the airport.
"Once you start working at a place and start going from job to job, you never get established in your life,” said Jordan. “The airport has been good to me and I hope I've been a good asset to the airport."
Every co-worker Jordan passed had a friendly word. They said he likes to eat and they all joke with him about it. He just grins and keeps walking.
The airport made news throughout 2007 with the decision to not build a new terminal. Horry County Council deferred funding for a new airport layout until 2008. They also plan to create a program management team to lead the expansion effort.
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