CLTea Blog

Aug. 25, 2020 - It’s hard to see everything that is being done to keep CLT clean so passengers can have the confidence to fly again. We cannot say “thank you” enough to the teams of people overseeing the cleaning effort and those on the terminal floor working hard 24 hours a day for our passengers.

But we try every day to remember to express gratitude. From the multiple cleanings to all the people it involves, a lot of hard work, elbow grease and dedication goes into cleanliness at the Airport.

ABM, our commercial janitorial service, has nearly 300 employees who work full-time throughout the week to keep the CLT terminal clean. Working in shifts that range from 35 people to nearly 75 people, they clean 24 hours a day. The third shift focuses on deep cleaning and uses electrostatic spray to clean the public areas of the terminal. The spray is essentially an electrically charged mist sprayed over an area to help better disinfect hard to reach places. Their work is easier to do overnight when there are fewer people in the terminal.

Daily, the cleaning crews go through 128 microfiber cloths, 1,050 pairs of gloves and 192 Blue Huck super absorbent towels.

The health and safety of our customers and the nearly 20,000 people who work in the Airport have always been important to us. Even more so now because of COVID-19. Crews are focused on daily cleanings and deep cleanings but due to COVID-19, they give extra attention to high touch points like seats and handrails. A team of six dedicated to deep cleaning and disinfecting high touch points can be found sporting blue, reflective vests as they work. They, along with other cleaning staff, also make sure to wear masks and gloves and follow COVID-19 guidelines as they work.

ABM also manages housekeeping in the many buildings and offices that support CLT and the Aviation Department, part of the City of Charlotte, which owns the Airport.

If you want to know before you fly what’s being done, we have compiled everything you need on our website. Visit our Keep it Rockin' page for information as well as resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mecklenburg County Health, and others.

Please help us keep you and others safe and healthy. While traveling at CLT remember to keep these COVID-19 safety tips in mind:

Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available Wear a face covering. It’s required by a governor’s mandate in North Carolina and airlines require them to board a flight. Social distance by maintaining six feet of space from others We are asking our customers and employees to do their part. Each person’s travel needs and experiences are going to be different. But working together we can keep the Airport safe for everyone.

Jul. 17, 2020 - We know it’s inconvenient. It’s uncomfortable. And, this time of year it’s darn hot. But we need our passengers, visitors, contractors and employees to help us provide a safe and healthy Airport environment.

Medical studies and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are clear on one point – the chances of spreading the coronavirus through coughing, sneezing, talking or raising your voice are greatly reduced when we wear our masks and keep at least six feet apart when around people not part of our household or quarantine group. According to the CDC, this recommendation is based on what is known about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, paired with emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies that shows cloth face coverings reduce the spray of droplets.

So, your mask protects me, and my mask protects you. Wearing a face covering also helps protect others in case one of us is infected, but don’t show symptoms.

Right Thing the Right Way

There is a right and wrong way to wear a mask.

Right: Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin. Make sure the mask fits snugly on the sides of your face.

Wrong: Worn under your nose, covering only your mouth or worn under your chin, around your neck or on your forehead.

The CDC has a lot of helpful information on how to wear a mask, how to make one yourself and how to wash and care for a cloth mask.

It’s a State Requirement

The governor of North Carolina has directed that face coverings be worn in public statewide until further notice. There are some exceptions. Among them are children under age 2 and anyone who has trouble breathing.

Can you be arrested? For simply not wearing a mask, the answer is no. But if you aren’t wearing one when you come to the Airport, reconsider – if not for you, then for others around you.

If you are asked by someone in the Airport to wear one, please do the right thing and put your mask on. You are going to have to wear it on the plane. All our airlines require it and could refuse boarding to anyone who does not wear a mask.

We’ve Got You Covered

Don’t have a mask or forgot it? Your airline can provide one. In addition, we have them available at the Visitor Info Center on the lower level in Baggage Claim. This is where most passengers enter the terminal from the shuttles and parking lots. In addition, the TSA has masks available at the check-in podiums, and you can purchase masks and other supplies like hand sanitizer and gloves at many of the retails stores after security.

We’re glad to see passengers coming back. We are working hard to make the Airport safe so you can travel in confidence. We need your help – please wear a mask. It’s the right thing to do.

Jul. 17, 2020 - Throughout the pandemic, a group of workers considered essential to keeping CLT open and operating have been the boots on the ground at CLT.

Hundreds of workers - from airline employees, concessions operators, screening professionals, security officers and baggage handlers - have continued with their duties during the pandemic. Many have been at the forefront of efforts to make the Airport safer and give passengers the confidence to fly again when they are ready.

Travel is different now and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is committed to our focus on implementing safety measures and continually adapting to the ever-changing travel experience. That starts with our front-line workers.

We talked to several in the Aviation Department, which operates the Airport for the City of Charlotte, to see how their work has been affected and how they have adapted.

Shuttle bus drivers

These men and women are often the first people our passengers see when they arrive at CLT.

“Staying safe and keeping spirits up are a big part of a driver's job every day. Now it’s even more important with the uncertainty of COVID-19,” said shuttle bus driver Ebony Leach.

When the shuttle buses are not transporting passengers, they are in our Fleet Maintenance shop for upkeep and for cleaning. Buses are cleaned after each shift and get a nightly deep clean with an electrostatic sprayer.

“We have a lot of gratitude for all of the front-line employees and all the essential employees,” said Samantha Singh, assistant landside manager.

Engineers and Planners

The team of planners and engineers in the Aviation Development overseeing Airport construction and capital projects that are often seen by the public, and in many cases have continued during the pandemic. “I hope leading by example has a big influence,” said Jeff McSwain, director of engineering. “They see that we are being proactive and hopefully that will help resolve some of their fears.”

Dennis Irska, a senior airport architect, along with others on the planning side, has been working to find ways to modify the Airport to further prevent COVID-19 spread. “We’re looking at making the Airport as touchless as possible.”

Facilities Maintenance and Security

At the forefront of keeping things running at the airport 24/7 and one of Aviation’s largest work groups is Airfield Maintenance, Building Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance and Logistics and Facilities Services.

These men and women keep the air conditioning on in the terminal, keep our fleet of vehicles in good operating condition, mow the airfield and maintain the airfield facilities like the taxiways and runways so it is safe for planes to fly. Even in the early days of the pandemic, the Airport was open and people were flying. That meant our facilities maintenance people were on the job 24/7.

“Even if we completely close down and there were no airlines at the Airport, we would still have to have people here,” said Chris Hazen, the Facilities Maintenance Division director.

Fewer passengers have led to fewer security issues but no one lets their guard down. Keeping the Airport safe is the No. 1 priority in normal times and during a pandemic.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s one person in the Airport or 40,000, it’s all the same rules,” said Renee Tufts, security operations manager. “It’s business as usual keeping our patrols up, compliance measures in check for the Airport security program and keeping the badging and access control system going.”

May 29, 2020 - We understand some people must travel: Nurses and doctors are volunteering in hard-hit communities. Some business travel can no longer be delayed. And even some personal travel can only be put off for so long. We are working hard to keep you safe while you are at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, but we are also relying on you to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Please take precautions for yourself, fellow travelers, and our employees.

Arrive Early

First realize that it’s as important as ever that you arrive early. Do not assume fewer travelers means shorter wait times. TSA recommends you arrive at the Airport two hours before your domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.

Procedure changes and staff reductions aimed at reducing potential exposure to the virus can result in wait times equal to or longer than a busy, pre-COVID-19 day. Checkpoint wait times and the number of open checkpoints will vary, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time before your flight.

Follow CDC Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the best way to prevent the illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Here are some of the CDC’s tips for staying virus-free and our advice (in italics) for how to put those tips to work in an airport environment.

Keep Your Distance

Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people whenever possible Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings Whether you are waiting to go through security, board your flight or grab a cup of coffee, you should try to keep 6 feet between yourself and the nearest person whenever you can. If you can’t social distance, wear a face covering. Stand back further than you normally would when speaking with security screeners and, gate agents, for example, and only hand them your documents if they ask. Some of our partners have installed floor stickers to help with social distancing. If you see them, please use them.

If buying concessions or waiting in any line, leave plenty of space between yourself and the customer ahead of you and then try to pay with a card, if possible, so that you and the employee don’t have to handle cash.

We’ve adjusted our parking lots, so that most who arrive by car can walk directly to the terminal. If you do use one of our shuttle buses, leave a seat between yourself and the nearest passenger. If the bus seems crowded, wait for the next one. We’ve got buses running more frequently so another will be along soon.

Cover Your Face

Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they go out in public Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Unlike restaurants and other private facilities, the Airport is unable to limit the number of people allowed inside at one time. This can create challenges with social distancing and makes the use of face coverings even more important.

All airlines serving Charlotte Douglas International Airport either strongly encourage or are mandating passengers wear face coverings in the terminal, at ticket counters, in boarding areas and onboard their aircraft. Additionally, Aviation Department employees are now required to wear a face covering and many of our partners have implemented similar policies for their employees.

Clean your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Take every opportunity to wash to your hands. Once you finish your security screening, wash your hands. Before and after you eat or drink, clean your hands. If you pass by a hand sanitizing station, go ahead and get a squirt. More than 30 hand sanitizing stations are located inside our terminal. Once you leave the Airport and get back to your car or home, wash again.

Important Note: You can bring a 12-ounce container of liquid hand sanitizer through security in your carry-on bag! TSA announced the exception will be made “until further notice.”

Clean and Disinfect

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. We’ve got this one! The Airport is following CDC guidance. Our staff has increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting and is conducting routine deep-cleaning of shuttle buses and inside the terminal at security checkpoints and other high-touch areas including hand rails, people movers, restrooms, seating, and arm rests. Seriously, our cleaning staff is on it!

We also have increased the number of hand sanitizing stations in the terminal and are using electrostatic spray surface cleaning where appropriate. However, if you have the supplies, it doesn’t hurt to wipe down an area before you sit or use a napkin or paper towel to open a door or grab a railing.

Protect Others

Stay home if you are sick Airport employees have been instructed to stay home if they are sick – and we hope that you will do the same.

We are using digital messaging boards and our public address system to provide reminders to those in the terminal. We all play a role in stopping the spread of this virus. We are all in this together!

Mar. 31, 2020 - We know some of you are still traveling. Nurses and doctors are volunteering in hard-hit communities. College students and others who were away when the pandemic started may still be trying to get home to loved ones. And some business travel can’t be delayed. We are working hard to keep you safe while you are at the Airport and we are asking you to do the same for yourself, fellow travelers, and our employees.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a webpage with guidance for travelers and the latest information related to the virus. While the information about protecting yourself from COVID-19 is not specific to those traveling through airports, it can easily be applied.

Of course, the best way to stay healthy is to avoid exposure to COVID-19. Here are some of the CDC’s tips for staying virus-free and our advice (in italics) for how to put those tips to work in an airport environment.

Clean your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Take every opportunity to clean your hands. Once you finish your security screening, wash your hands. Before and after you eat or drink, clean your hands. If you pass by a hand sanitizing station, go ahead and get a squirt. Once you leave the Airport and get back to your car or home, wash again.

Important Note: You can bring a 12-ounce container of liquid hand sanitizer through security in your carry-on bag! Yep, TSA announced the exception will be made “til further notice.”

Avoid close contact

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people. Whether you are waiting to go through security, board your flight or grab a cup of coffee, you should try to keep six feet between yourself and the nearest person whenever you can. It likely won’t be as hard as it sounds because the crowds are smaller, and everyone should have the same goal. Stand back further than you normally would when speaking with security screeners, gate agents, etc. and only hand them your documents if they ask. If buying concessions, leave plenty of space between yourself and the customer ahead of you and then try to pay with a card, if possible, so that you and the employee don’t have to handle cash.

Clean and Disinfect

Clean and Disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. We’ve got this one! The Airport is following CDC guidance. Our staff has increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting and is conducting routine deep-cleaning at security checkpoints and other high-touch areas including handrails, people movers, restrooms, seating, and armrests. Seriously, our cleaning staff is on it! We also have increased the number of hand sanitizing stations in the terminal and are using electrostatic spray surface cleaning where appropriate. However, if you have the supplies, it doesn’t hurt to wipe down an area before you sit or use a napkin or paper towel to open a door or grab a railing.

Protect Others

Cover coughs and sneezes. Stay home if you are sick. Wear a face mask if you are sick. Airport employees have been instructed to stay home if they are sick – and we hope that you will do the same. We must work together to stop the spread of this virus. It’s literally a matter of life and death.

Mar. 30, 2020 - As COVID-19 has grown into a global pandemic, business at airports has dramatically dropped off. No airport in the world is operating at full capacity right now. So why are we still at work at CLT?

It’s a question those of us in aviation hear a lot these days. We don’t think we are immune from the coronavirus and we are concerned about exposure and community spread. We are taking precautions to keep our staff and passengers safe. We rely on everyone to do their part to stop the spread of this devastating disease: stay home if you are sick, cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, wash your hands with soap and water and keep at least 6 feet between you and the people around you.

The reason we remain open is an airport is an integral part of the nation’s economy and its transportation network. It is an essential business. We know when we sign up for an airport job, we have a responsibility to maintain Airport operations even during a crisis.

Nationally, nonessential businesses have been told to close and thousands of American workers have been told to stay home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. However, many of the Airport’s workers are manning the security checkpoints, providing law enforcement services, and providing the air traffic control tower.

To close the Airport requires federal action. Remember how quiet it was after 9-11 or how hard it was to fly to Europe following the eruption of an Icelandic volcano in 2010?

Here are some other things to consider:

• The Aviation Department cannot tell airlines that they cannot use the airfield or the terminal. If airlines are flying, someone must be here to ensure the runways are safe for arrivals and departures, to load and unload aircraft of cargo, luggage and people, and to provide basic services for the people who continue to come into our terminal. There are fewer people right now, but people are still flying.
• Because people are still flying, it’s our responsibility as airport operators to ensure that computers and other technology continue to power computers, WiFi and flight information displays. Passengers are in the building so we must keep the restrooms clean, provide food and other retail necessities for our customers. We are grateful for our partners in concessions and other areas. They are essential to our operations and to the customer experience.
• CLT is home to major cargo activities of FedEx, UPS and Amazon. Yes, Amazon. Goods, including the things you buy at Amazon online while stuck at home, travel by aircraft too. Most people don’t realize how critical an airport is in the movement of equipment, the mail, supplies for emergency response or for the merchandise that stocks the shelves of businesses big and small.
• The Air National Guard is across the airfield from the terminal. If mobilized, we must ensure that the runways are open and safe for our military to fly the C17s and C130s in and out. Each day, CLT’s operations team inspects the runways to ensure they are not damaged and remain safe for aircraft and people.

As American Airlines’ second-largest hub – the first is Dallas-Fort Worth International – the airline plays a major role in keeping the nation’s transportation network, and in turn the nation’s economy, up and running. While American is the dominant air carrier at Charlotte Douglas with about 90 percent of flights and more than 12,000 workers, seven other airlines operate at the Airport. They all play a role in keeping people and goods moving around the world, even in a crisis.

We continue to follow guidance from the Mecklenburg County Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep the airport and our customers safe. This public health and CDC guidance has also been shared with our partners, which employ many people who work at the airport.

Transportation is considered an essential function in our economy. We’d argue it’s critical - during a global pandemic and to the nation’s economic recovery. So here we are – from the Aviation Department to TSA to the airlines to the housekeeping team – working hard to keep CLT operational, clean and safe. And, yes, open.

Mar. 18, 2020 - Like on any other Wednesday, Chaplain George Szalony walked around the CLT terminal on March 18 taking his time to speak to people he recognized and giving those he did not know a kind and friendly nod. The Airport has temporarily suspended its volunteer program, but Chaplain George and nine other chaplains can’t bring themselves to stay home.

“It’s important for employees to see us, especially at this time. It is just being present and reassuring,” the chaplain said. “Our volunteers are unbelievably committed. We care about the people at the Airport, we are proud of what’s happening here, and of what we do.”

Chaplain George and the others are part of the Airport Chaplaincy at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a non-profit organization. The group is committed to providing spiritual and emotional support at the Airport. In exchange, they use a small room converted to a nondenominational chapel. It’s a commitment they take very seriously.

As a precaution, the chaplains are not holding services. But the chapel is open to anyone who wants to visit. A container of hand-sanitizing wipes sits on the small altar for anyone who needs them.

The chaplains walk the concourses and chat with anyone who seems interested in talking. They share their contact information, just in case someone needs to talk when a chaplain isn’t close by. Chaplain George says it’s their way of promoting calm during this uneasy time.

They are taking precautions to keep themselves and others healthy.

They put more space than usual between themselves and those they talk with.

They don’t shake hands or otherwise touch anyone.

They take special care to not lean on railings or touch anything they don’t need to touch. And they are washing their hands repeatedly.

Chaplain George believes people are taking COVID-19 seriously. The Airport cleaning staff is constantly sanitizing handrails, tables, and our infamous rocking chairs. Most travelers are practicing social distancing as they choose where to sit or stand.

“We are in unchartered territory. But I’ve got to believe most people coming through here don’t feel sick and aren’t simply ignoring the concerns,” said George, who has volunteered at CLT for 11 years. “There’s an underlying tension. When you work ministry in a public environment, there is a sense when people are concerned. I can certainly sense it.”

His advice, as always, is to stay calm.

Feb. 14, 2020 - Did you know that the Airport never closes? That’s right. Never closes.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is always open – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Yet, it’s not uncommon to often hear passengers say that their flight was cancelled because the Airport is closed. And whenever there is bad weather like the tornado that blew through the Queen City on Feb. 6, those complaints increase.

“My flight was cancelled because the Airport is closed.”

“It’s snowing. Is the Airport closing?”

“When will the hurricane close the Airport?”

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is owned by the City of Charlotte and operated by its Aviation Department. The Aviation Department, located just across the airfield on Wilkinson Boulevard, runs the terminal much like a property manager runs a mall. In fact, the Airport is just like a big mall.

Inside the Airport version of a mall, are stores, restaurants, airline lounges and other places where passengers congregate and relax before a flight. Each business (think Starbucks, Brooks Brothers, Whisky River) is an Airport tenant renting the space its business occupies. Just like the stores in the mall.

Airport businesses operate independently of the Aviation Department and the city. While there are requirements to ensure that food, beverage, amenities and retail are available whenever passengers are in the terminal, many businesses close when the number of flights drops off overnight. But the terminal, the Airport, is always open.

Does the same go for the airlines? Yes and no.

The airlines are tenants just like the stores and restaurants. They rent their spaces, from the ticket counters to the boarding gates to the ramp areas they work in. Unlike the Airport concessions, there are a plethora of reasons the airlines cannot fly and that leads people to say the Airport is closed. It’s not but the planes may not be flying.

Aircraft need decent weather conditions to take off and land. That big tin can in the sky is carrying hundreds of people whose safety is a top priority. An airline would not want to send a plane into the air if dangerous conditions were present.

Too much wind, planes may be grounded until things calm down. For example, hurricanes rumbling by can cause wind and rain that keep planes parked.

Winter weather can also be challenging.

Snow and ice on the airfield? Flights might be delayed while the runways are cleared, and the deicing machines make sure ice does not build up on aircraft wings.

Plowing a runway is very different from plowing Wilkinson Boulevard. There are runway lights and sensitive navigation equipment on a runway. If covered by snow and plowed over, there would be significant damage to sensitive equipment essential to safe travels.

Likewise, sand or melting agents work fine on the average roadway used by cars, but not runway pavement. Sand, debris and solid melting agents can leave uneven or pock marked pavement. Imagine an aircraft hitting a pothole at 200 to 300 mph on takeoff or landing.

And despite the popular belief, the Aviation Department – commonly referred to as ‘the Airport’ – does not determine when planes take off and land. The FAA manages all air traffic, from the time a plane leaves its boarding gate until it takes off then lands at its destination. If air traffic controllers determine it is dangerous for planes to depart, then everyone is grounded. The Airport terminal stays open, though, because there are passengers here who need to eat, use the restroom, and find ways to pass the time.

There are other times when aircraft don’t fly that cause people to say the Airport is closed. That’s right, we’re not.

If lightning is detected near the Airport, planes are not allowed to take off or land. Flights headed to CLT are diverted to other Airports to wait out the storm. Lightning is more problematic for people than aircraft, which have lightning rods. When lightning is in the area, the ramp (where workers load your luggage and gas up your plane) will be put on a ground stop. No human being can be on the ramp, an open and unprotected outdoor area, when there is lightning nearby.

Which brings us back to the Feb. 6 tornado.

A tornado that first touched down in Gaston County was spotted moving toward the Airport. Flights were grounded, and passengers were moved away from terminal windows to shelter in place inside. The tornado was large enough that it could be seen from the upper floors of the Bank of America tower in Uptown a few miles away.

For more than an hour no planes took off or landed. Everyone waited.

Once the storm passed and the danger was gone, teams of people set out to inspect every taxiway and runway for flooding, debris, and damage to pavement, buildings and aircraft.

We were lucky. CLT suffered no damage from the twister or stormy weather Feb. 6.

From tornado warning to the final inspection to the runways opening, two or three hours passed. Dozens of flights were canceled or delayed. Our other operations slowed down significantly. But through it all we were here helping passengers. The Airport was open – just like always.

Oct. 10, 2019 - From the roads to buildings located on our property there is significance in every name you see. That includes the name of the Airport itself.

Ben Elbert Douglas Sr. was called “the builder of modern Charlotte.” Serving three terms as mayor from 1935 to 1941, he is credited with bringing commercial aviation to the Queen City. He also is credited with building the first low-cost public housing and spearheading the construction of Independence Boulevard.

The Airport was named Douglas Municipal Airport in his honor in April 1941. Douglas called it “the proudest day of my life.” In 1982, the same year the current terminal opened, the Airport changed its name to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Around town, Douglas was known for his love of the city. In an interview, he once said, “I’d rather be mayor of Charlotte than vice-president of the United States.” In fact, he was the first mayor of Charlotte elected by voters. A new charter changed the process from appointment to election. A true politician, Douglas loved shaking hands, talking about Charlotte and causes close to his heart.

Outside of political life, his business ventures included the Douglas and Sing mortuary, Douglas Realty Co. and Douglas Furs, which began as the result of a U.S. government contract to clean the military’s bomber jackets.

Douglas died on July 27, 1981, at 86 years old. For those who knew him, he will always be remembered by his nickname - Sweet Old Ben.

Douglas isn’t the only person whose name appears at the Airport. Here are a few others.

Queen Charlotte - monarch for whom the City of Charlotte is named and for whom there is a statue at CLT. Harlee Avenue – named after Harlee Todd Douglas who was married to Ben Douglas. Morris Field – a short-lived former name of the Airport and airfield in honor of William Colb Morris. Josh Birmingham – a former Charlotte Douglas International Airport manager. Wilson Air Center – named after Kemmons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn. Old Dowd Road – W. Frank Dowd opened Charlotte Pipe & Foundry in 1907. The Dowd family played a big role in Charlotte manufacturing. Tuckaseegee Road – name comes from the Cherokee Indian Trail that used to run in the area. Wilkinson Boulevard – named for William Cook Wilkinson, a Charlotte banker and textile mill owner who was the head of the state highway commission when the road was built.