Automation prompts layoffs of parking workers at airport

There soon will be fewer cashiers working at the parking facilities of John Glenn Columbus International Airport, as more than 50 cashiers and cashier supervisors are set to be laid off Nov. 15.

The workers are employed by Allpro Parking, the parking contractor for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

The cuts come after the airport nears completion of an approximately twoyear process to install new, automated parking equipment throughout airport property.

Those being laid off include 24 full-time and 31 part-time workers.

All the airport’s parking lots — including three surface lots served by shuttles, the parking garage and a surface “walking lot” — will still have a worker on duty around the clock to deal with any issues that may arise. They just won’t be cashiers.

Workers losing their jobs will be able to apply for one of 11 full-time and 17 parttime lot supervisor positions. They will need to go through the hiring process like all other applicants.

“Our goal is to make the parking operation more efficient for us and for the customers,” said David Whitaker, chief commercial officer for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

He added, “My personal observation is that it’s rare to find a cashier anymore at parking lots” in Columbus and elsewhere.

The majority of people now use credit cards, although the automated machines still accept cash.

Whitaker said that the new parking equipment from TIBA Parking Systems, with software support from Columbus-based Signature Control Systems, gives more flexibility, including the ability in the future to possibly offer lower pricing at slower times. For example, the enclosed long-term parking garage at John Glenn Airport often fills up on weekdays but is not as busy on weekends.