Welcome to Philadelphia International Airport!
Contemplating where to place this one-time virtual cache I was lucky enough to receive was a little overwhelming...I mean...I can put this thing anywhere? Recalling one of my favorites, which is located in a LARGE airport near and dear to my heart and hometown, I couldn't help but feel compelled to join the growing club of airport virtual owners and add mine here at PHL, my current gateway to home and back. After all, it only feels appropriate to place a virtual where traditional caches simply don't fly.
Plus, airports are pretty cool if you ask me. I mean how revitalizing is the panic of rushing to the airport because you accidentally set your alarm for PM instead of AM?...And how about all that exercise you get when sprinting to catch your connecting flight at the opposite end of the because you were stuck on the tarmac for 45 minutes?...Of course there's the incredible amount of free time for finally responding back to people with text messages that begin with "Oh my gosh, I just saw this", or, "I am sooooobad at texting" when flights are inevitablely delayed or missed...Perhaps my favorite part is the thrill of airport security, where the only thought in your mind is whether you remembered to take that nail file out of your bag last night. The anxiety that comes along with homesickness, loss, separation, excitement and fear reminds us of our mortality and makes one feel OH SO ALIVE!
Even better, there are very few airports worldwide that flaunt the incredible amount of artwork as PHL, which is why I have chosen to make the theme of this virtual Philadelphia International Airport Art, which is a mouthful, so I'll simply refer to it as "Phart". Below are the logging requirements, but first I would like to recognize the airport's Exhibitions Program:
The Exhibitions Program at PHL presents artwork and collections by Greater Philadelphia-area artists and art institutions to highlight the region’s cultural and historical vibrancy. Over the years, the exhibitions have become part of the airport’s identity with more than 20 galleries and numerous visual arts activations seen throughout all seven terminals. In 2011, an 85,000 square-foot mural was completed along the sides of the airport parking garages that face I-95. The design includes images taken from photographs of Philadelphians dancing by local photographer JJ Tiziou. More than 800 people painted the mural over four months. The program provides passengers with a visually engaging place to spend their time—it is educational, entertaining, and a reflection of what the region has to offer artistically, culturally, and historically. From an artist’s perspective, it is a great opportunity to have their art seen by millions of guests from around the world. (https://www.phl.org/at-phl/art-exhibitions).
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
To claim this Virtual Cache as a find you MUST perform the following Phart-related tasks:
Please note that you must visit the airport to fulfill the requirements, but the logging criteria are achievable without being a ticketed-passenger. Details below.*
STEP 1: Visit ONE of the posted waypoints which feature permanent art installations, and include IN YOUR LOG a selfie (optional) or photo of something Geocaching-related in front of the exhibit. Travel Bugs, your Geocaching name and/or doodle scribbled on a piece of paper are all ideal choices, but please include something to prove that you aren't just using someone's vacation photo.
*Non-ticketed passengers should refer to WAYPOINT 6 to accomplish this task
- AND -
STEP 2: Visit ANY OTHER art exhibit in the airport. This may be literally any piece of artwork or collection that you find on airport grounds, inside or outside, and may include either of the additional waypoints that you did not visit for Step 1.
IN YOUR LOG please include ONE of the following:
- The TITLE of the piece, NAME of the artist, and DATE it was created.
- Description the artwork and where you found it at the airport.
- An additional photo of the artwork in your log.
- AND (OPTIONAL) -
STEP 3: As PHL is renowned for its art collections, I invite you to unleash your inner Phartist and create YOUR OWN PHART to include in your log - even just a simple doodle would be fantastic! Let's memorialize your work here as part of a Geocaching Phart Collage. Again, this step is optional but strongly encouraged in the spirit of creativity. I, for one, will love your Phart and think you're a cool kid should you choose to include it.
THAT'S IT!
We know you have many options when choosing Geocaches (they aren't better options, but they're options), so we thank you for choosing GCAJK42. If you aren't in too much of a hurry and would like to stick around to learn a little more about the airport, then keep on scrolling. Otherwise, safe travels and thanks again for Pharting with me!
PHL Statistics:
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), the only major airport serving the nation's 7th largest metropolitan area, is a large hub airport serving over 25 million passengers annually. Twenty-seven airlines, including all major domestic carriers, offer nearly 323 daily departures to more than 120 destinations worldwide. Located 7 miles from downtown Philadelphia, the airport is easily accessible and convenient to many tourist sites, business centers, and cultural hubs. The airport is self-sustaining and uses no local tax dollars. PHL is one of the largest economic engines in the region, generating $16.8 billion to the economy and accounting for 106,000 full-time jobs annually. Much of the airport property is in Philadelphia proper. Terminal A (the international terminal), and the western and southern ends of the airfield, are in Tinicum Township, Delaware County. PHL covers 2,302 acres and has four runways. (https://www.phl.org/about/about-us)
PHL History:
1920s & 1930s: The City of Philadelphia officially entered the field of air transportation in 1925 when it provided 125 acres of land (now part of the northeast corner of Philadelphia International Airport) for training aviators of the Pennsylvania National Guard. In 1926, the City executed an agreement to operate the facility as the "Municipal Aviation Landing Field." October 22, 1927 was an historic day for Philadelphia and its airport as the Spirit of Saint Louis, piloted by Charles A. Lindbergh, touched down at Philadelphia Airport. The arrival in Philadelphia occurred during a tour of the United States following Lindbergh's historic solo flight from New York to Paris. During his visit, Lindbergh ceremoniously raised the American flag to dedicate what was then called Philadelphia Municipal Airport. In 1930, the City purchased the derelict 1,000-acre Hog Island, hich contained the giant emergency shipbuilding yards of World War I, from the Federal Government to provide for airport expansion. However, because of the Great Depression, the airport project lay dormant until 1936. Actual construction of the building and landing field began in 1937, and the airport was formally opened as Philadelphia Municipal Airport on June 20, 1940.
1940s & 1950s - Approximately 40,000 passengers were transported in the airport's first year of operation. During World War II, military security forced the closing of the airport (1943). Commercial air service was not restored until 1945. Later in 1945, Philadelphia Municipal Airport became Philadelphia International Airport when American Overseas Airlines inaugurated transatlantic service at the facility. Virtually every major means of transportation is found within the borders of the airport, including railways, waterways, and highways. There are even pipelines for the transmission of oil from ocean vessels docked at the adjoining Delaware River across airport premises to nearby refineries. Construction was started in 1950 on a new terminal building, which was completed in 1953.
1960s & 1970s - In the late 1960s, the City and the airlines based at Philadelphia International Airport began intensive planning for a vast improvement project to meet the challenges of the jet age. Subsequently, the Division of Aviation erected new passenger and airfield facilities to meet the needs of the traveling public. The scheduled airlines were also committed to a massive airport modernization and development project, which created the present airport facility.The keystone of the project, a $22 million all-weather runway, was dedicated in 1972. The Airport's Overseas Terminal opened in 1973 and was later replaced with the new Richardson Dilworth International Terminal A in 1991. In 1977, the modernization and development of the domestic terminal area was completed, replacing the "central type" terminal with four unit terminals. The project also included the erection of two multi-level parking garages.
1980s & 1990s - During the 1980s, the Airport would see significant improvements with the implementation of a major capital improvement program which included a state-of-the-art Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control facility in 1981, and a new SEPTA rail line connecting the Airport with downtown Philadelphia in 1985. A multi-faceted project to greatly improve the flow of traffic on the arrivals roadway was completed in 1986, which doubled traffic lanes, separated public and private transportation, and created access to two multi-level parking garages. In the late 1980s, a six-year capital improvement program began that called for construction to begin on a new international terminal (Terminal A, completed in 1991) and the total renovation of Terminals B, C, D and E. The newly consolidated Terminal B/C opened in 1998 featuring a new ticketing pavilion, the Philadelphia MarketPlace at the Airport, a US Airways Club, and a baggage claim connector. In 1999, the airport broke ground on new regional and international terminals and commissioned the 5,000 ft Runway 8/26. Terminal F opened in 2001 with international Terminal A-West opening in 2003.
2000s - The early 2000’s saw significant developments to the footprint of the Philadelphia International Airport. Two new terminals nearly doubled the size of the airport complex to 2.4 million square feet. Terminal F opened in 2001, and was one of the first facilities in the country to use special jet bridges allowing passengers to transition directly from the terminal to commuter aircraft. In 2002, PHL opened an 11-story ramp control tower that offers improved sightlines and modern technology to enhance the flow of aircraft movement. In 2003, PHL opened its new International Terminal A-West, which combined with A-East, accommodates nearly 4 million international passengers annually. The new terminal features a uniquely designed Arrivals Hall dominated by an atrium and stunning artwork conveying Philadelphia's identity as America's birthplace. PHL broke into the global top 10 busiest airport rankings with 535,666 aircraft operations in 2009.
2010s - Present - The Airport has been committed to focusing on projects designed to improve the customer experience and capitalize on the role that the airport plays as a regional economic engine. PHL also has an interest in giving passengers more choices and destinations in their travels. In 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the Airport’s Capacity Enhancement Program (CEP). From 2007 through 2017, improvements to air traffic control were implemented by FAA, and some airfield improvements were completed by the airport. In 2015, the E-F Secure Connector opened, enabling passengers to access all terminals and gates from the post-security side. In 2017, PHL and American Airlines announced a commitment to continue critical improvements and develop new infrastructure at PHL Airport and Philadelphia Northeast Airport (PNE). The ongoing projects will generate almost $4 billion in regional economic output and 5,100 jobs over a 5-year period. PHL continues to welcome new carriers and routes to its service. As of December 2018, PHL offers nearly 450 daily non-stop flights to 99 domestic and 38 international destinations. (https://www.phl.org/about/history)
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.