Sun Country Employee Honored by Airport Foundation MSP as Employee of the Year

St. Paul, MN – May 19, 2008

The Airport Foundation MSP announced today Karen Kelting, Passenger Service Lead for Sun Country Airlines, has won the MSP Employee of the Year Award.  This honor is bestowed each year on an airport employee who demonstrates extraordinary customer service.  All the airport businesses, including shops and restaurants, can submit a nomination to the Airport Foundation MSP. 

“Karen exemplifies the type of exceptional service Sun Country takes pride in giving to its customers,” said Michael Finney, Sun Country Vice President of Operations.  “We congratulate Karen on achieving this honor.  It is the direct result of the hard work and commitment she exhibits every day.”

One of Kelting’s act of kindness was noted in her nomination letter :

Last fall, a 19–year old soldier stood before Karen with a look of panic on his face.  As a “military mom,” Karen was instantly concerned.  She has a daughter and two sons that serve in three different branches of the armed forces: the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Air Force. 

The young private was on his way back to San Diego after a 10–day leave at home in Minnesota. He had just completed his basic training with the U.S. Marines Corps, and was due back at Camp Pendleton in San Diego by the next afternoon at 1:00 PM. As a member of the infantry division, he was waiting for orders to deploy.

Unfortunately, he was not aware of a time change that impacted his flight. When he arrived at HHH, his flight had long departed. Karen said, “He was terrified.  If he did not report back to duty on time, he would be considered AWOL.”

Like she does many days, Karen started to identify alternate transportation options for a troubled passenger. Although Sun Country did not have another flight to San Diego, Karen suggested a couple “reasonable” alternatives that would get him to California on time:

However, with no money and no credit card, this wouldn’t work.  And he was too young to rent a car (must be 21).  When he phoned his father, they were not in a position to help either.  He was on his own.

Karen identified a third option.  She phoned her husband and told him she wasn’t coming home after work.  She decided to use her “companion” flight privileges and fly the young man out to Los Angeles herself on a late night flight.(Her husband decided to go along.)  They arrived in Los Angeles, rented a car and drove 125 miles to Camp Pendelton.  When they arrived at 3:00 AM, the Camp entrance was closed until morning.  They drove to the San Diego airport and dropped the solider at the USO Center where he could rest for a few hours, iron his uniform, dress, and take a shuttle back to Camp Pendleton in the morning.  He wanted to look immaculate.

Kelting said, “the young man was so grateful he kept saying, ‘thank you’.  I can only hope that someone would be there for my kids if they needed help.  And sometimes, that is what it takes.  Treating a passenger like you would like to be treated.  It’s a simple customer service philosophy that works.”

Kelting has been an employee of Sun Country Airlines since 2004.  She will be honored at the Minneapolis Airport Commission (MAC) meeting today at 1 pm.

The Airport Foundation MSP and Dorothy Schaeffer, employed at MSP International from 1941 through 1988, created the MSP Employee of the Year Award to honor MSP International Airport employees who provide ongoing outstanding customer service.  Known as The Dorothy Award, this award is given annually to three employees nominated by their peers and selected by “The Dorothy” Award Committee.

About Sun Country

Sun Country Airlines, privately held by Petters Group Worldwide, is based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Sun Country, which has earned a reputation for offering world class service at an affordable price, recently was named to the top 10 lists of domestic airlines in both Travel+Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler.  The airline flies to popular destinations in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean including Los Angeles, Cancun, Phoenix and Orlando.  For a complete list of destinations and more information, please visit  www.suncountry.com.  

About Petters Group Worldwide

Petters Group Worldwide is a privately held company with investments in a dynamic collection of over 60 companies around the world.  As an active manager, Petters Group supports these organizations by achieving investment synergies with services, financing and leveraging resources to support growth.  The core areas of focus for Petters Group are merchandising/sourcing/brand management, emerging technologies, media and marketing, hospitality and entertainment, aviation, real estate and investment capital.