Stay Current PSA Newsroom
April 28, 2026
Giving back at Gate C13: Bri Wilson’s volunteer story
Standing near Gate C13 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Bri Wilson had to remind herself where she was.
It didn’t feel like a typical airport gate. There were decorations and snacks. A photo booth. Laughter. People lining the jet bridge, clapping and cheering.
And nearby, a group of children were practically bouncing with excitement.
Bri, an air ops data analyst at PSA, spent her Saturday volunteering at “It’s Cool to Fly American,” a special event, supported by American Airlines, designed to help children with autism experience air travel in a safe, supportive environment — without ever leaving the ground. Her experience comes during National Volunteer Month, a time when organizations recognize the impact of service in their communities.
A familiar space
Bri learned about the opportunity through a call for volunteers on the myPSA portal. It caught her attention immediately.
“For most of us, especially those who work in aviation, the airport is second nature,” she said. “But for many families it can be overwhelming.”
That perspective is personal for Bri. Her younger brother is on the autism spectrum, and airports have long been a challenging environment for their family.
“When I read about what the event supported, it felt like the opportunity was written for me,” she said.
A different kind of departure gate
The morning of the event, Bri felt energized and grateful.
“I felt privileged to be there,” she said. “And proud to work for a company that supports something like this.”
Volunteers met near the American Airlines departure terminal to check in, receive assignments and prepare for the day. From there, families were guided through an experience designed to reflect the rhythm of a typical airport visit, while maintaining a calm, supportive space where the children could engage with the environment in a way that felt both real and reassuring.
TSA also partnered in that effort, opening a dedicated lane that mirrored a real security checkpoint while allowing families the time and space they needed.
Bri began the day as a sign holder, helping families navigate through the terminal, answering questions and providing support before joining the rest of volunteers at Gate C13.
Executives from American Airlines shared brief remarks before families boarded a simulated flight. Bri was asked to sit in an exit row to help monitor the cabin.
During the experience, the captain calmly talked the families through each step of the journey, preparing them for announcements, engine sounds and what to expect next so nothing came as a surprise. The aircraft taxied, simulated takeoff and returned to the gate.
But it wasn’t the “flight” itself that stayed with Bri.
The moment that stayed
It was when the children stepped off the plane.
“Their faces were pure joy,” Bri said. “Some were running down the jet bridge. Most didn’t want to leave the plane.”
Earlier, some children had been hesitant — even scared. But by the end, most were taking photos with the captain, confident and smiling, with proud parents watching nearby.
“That transformation was incredible to witness,” Bri said. “These kids overcame a real fear, and we got to be part of that.”
A broader impact
What began as an employee idea 10 years ago now brings together volunteers from across the country — frontline and HQ team members alike.
What surprised Bri most wasn’t the scale; it was how naturally people connected.
Even passersby stopped to watch, asking questions about the event. It was a reminder, she said, that the impact stretched beyond the families participating.
Would she volunteer again?
“100%,” she said.
Her advice to teammates considering volunteering is simple.
“Don’t overthink it, just go for it. You might get more out of it than you expect,” she said.
When asked to sum up the experience in one sentence, she didn’t hesitate.
“It was deeply fulfilling, both personally and professionally, and it reinforced why I love working at PSA.”
