Contest winner gets insider view of The Plane Train
By A.B. Snedeker

To the victor go the spoils. Such was the case as the winner of the “Name the Train” contest visited Hartsfield-Jackson to collect his prize.

Don Auensen of Marietta submitted the winning entry, The Plane Train, in the Airport’s monthlong social media contest. Along with the satisfaction inherent in naming the world’s busiest airport train, Auensen received a certificate of appreciation and a $100 American Express gift card from interim General Manager Robert Kennedy during a visit August 10.

After the meeting, Auensen was treated to an exclusive tour of The Plane Train’s maintenance and storage center beneath Concourse E. The central control center and maintenance bays were highlights of the tour provided by Steve Poerschmann, transportation systems manager.

More than 600 entries and comments were received on Hartsfield-Jackson’s YouTube channel and Facebook fan page in response to a behind-the-scenes video of the train system. The Plane Train was one of the most popular names submitted, and Auensen was the first contestant to suggest it.

“Calling it The Plane Train just seemed right,” Auensen said in a prepared statement. “I knew the Airport wasn’t looking for a silly name. I didn’t know what else it could be, because The Plane Train says what it does.”

Don Auensen (right), winner of the “Name the Train” contest, talks about The Plane Train with Steve Poerschmann, transportation systems manager, during a behind-the-scenes tour.