|
|
|
|
Cynthia L. Braun passed on July 29, 2011 in Des Moines, Washington after a long battle with cancer. She retired from Alaska Airlines June 3, 2011 after completing forty years of service.
Cyndi, as she was known to her family and friends, attended Wide Hollow Elementary School, West Valley High School and Yakima Business College.
In 1971, she became an employee of Alaska Air Group. In the early years Alaska Airlines only provided service to Washington and Alaska.
The family would like to share with you some of the events of Cyndi’s forty year career with Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air as written by Paul Frichtl in 2009.
Can-Do for Cargo.
Each year, Alaska Airlines recognizes a handful of its most celebrated employees as Customer Service Legends - the airline’s highest honor. We invite you to enjoy learning about one of our Legends, cargo systems lead trainer Cyndi Braun.
How do you transport an entire Iditarod race team, more than 34,000 pounds of fresh Copper River salmon and a hive of honey bees? Very carefully. And Cyndi Braun can tell you just how carefully it’s done when a Norwegian musher needs his eager dogs on the starting line in Anchorage, when diners in upscale restaurants from Seattle to Boston await the first fresh Alaska salmon of the year, and when Alaska’s vegetable patch - the Matanuska Valley - comes into full bloom.
Cyndi is the lead trainer at Alaska Airlines’ Cargo Service Center in Seattle, and in her 38 years with the airline, she’s pretty much written the book on how to package, handle, load and unload cargo for Alaska Airlines. It’s not only an issue of cargo arriving on time and in its original condition, but also of cargo moving through the system safely.
Cyndi and her fellow cargo agents can track and trace shipments throughout the airline’s route system. If weather or other factors delay a flight, the call center will keep customers apprised of the situation. If necessary, agents may intervene to rebook and reroute shipments.
One of the reasons freight moves seamlessly is that Cyndi enjoys her job. Among co-workers, she’s seen more as a teacher than a trainer. With Cyndi there are no dumb questions, just opportunities to learn. She involves trainees in finding solutions so that they learn not only the answers, but also the decision-making process.
"She helps our employees understand there’s more to booking cargo than just taking down information over the phone," says co-worker Nimo Ahmed. "It’s getting to know the customers, ensuring accuracy and addressing problems, all with caring and spirit, which makes customers want to come back."
Cyndi has made a career of Alaska Airlines, starting as a flight attendant in 1971, wearing the Russian tunic and fur hat of Alaska’s Golden Samovar service, which promoted the airline’s flights to the Russian Far East. A decade later, she was working the Seattle reservations desks and ticket counters. Cyndi moved into the air-freight department in 1986 as the airline’s cargo business began to swell and require the more concerted efforts of people such as Cyndi. She became so adept at managing cargo operations that she became a trainer for other employees.
Cyndi was also crucial to the development of the Seattle Cargo Service Center in 2004, designed to use the expertise of people such as Cyndi to fine tune the operation. Along with cargo for sister carrier Horizon Air, Alaska Air Cargo moves more than 150 million pounds of freight a year, not only in the holds of the airline’s regular passenger jets, but with a 737-400 freighter and five combi-jets, which can be reconfigured to accommodate fewer passengers and more cargo, as required.
To assist the airline’s high volume shippers, Cyndi teamed with agents, customers and management to develop the preferred customer tracking program that monitors shipments round the clock, providing as much feedback either by e-mail, online or in person as the customer needs.
Whether a customer is sending time critical repair equipment to Austin, Texas, or groceries to Adak, Alaska, Cyndi Braun can get it there.
Cyndi is survived by her mother, Dorothy J. Braun of Yakima; two brothers Brian L. Braun of Yakima, and Brent G. Braun (Shelly) of Selah; two nephews, Matthew Braun of Yakima, Washington & Brandon (Anna) Braun of Eugene, Oregon; two nieces, Meghan Braun of Yakima, Washington, and Brianne (Chris) Lappin of Seattle, Washington. Cyndi is also survived by many cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Weston Braun.
Viewing will be at Valley Hills Funeral Home, 2600 Business Lane, Yakima, Sunday, August 7th from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM and Monday, August 8th from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Graveside services in Terrace Heights Memorial Park at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be entrusted to Valley Hills Funeral Home for Swedish Hospice, Seattle or Cottage in the Meadow Yakima, or to your favorite charity.
|
|
|
|
I started with Alaska Airlines in 1974 and that is where I met Cyndi and we thereafter became friends, attended church together, and worked together for many years. I am so sorry for your loss. Cyndi was such a lovely woman, always caring, giving, and selfless. She will be greatly missed. God bless your family,
Connie Saul
Alaska Airlines/ San Diego
|
|
|
|
To the Braun Family,
I worked with Cyndi in the Cargo Customer Service department several years ago. She was my lead and did such a great job!! She really was a special person and I'm so lucky to have worked/known her!! Your family is in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. I will miss Cyndi for sure.
Sincerely,
Shelly Bedingfield
co-worker at Alaska Airlines
|
|
|
|
Cyndi was such a wonderful person. I will miss her words of wisdom and her laugh. I am so sorry for your loss.
Ravelle Snyder,
Alaska Airlines Cargo Policy and Procedures.
|
|
|
|
Please give my deepest conolences to Cyndi's Family, She was a joy to work with her from 1971 to 1997...Alaska Airlines had a GOLDEN NUGGET, with Her to work with...!!!
Gerry Henningsen
Alaska Airlines Ret. 1966-1997
Operations Anchorage,Ak.
|
|
|
|
|
Cyndi will be missed by everyone and our hearts are with her family, friends and co-works during this sad time.
|
|
|
|
When we lose someone we love, it seems that time stands still.
What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why she left this earth so soon, or why she left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that she died, but that she lived. And that for her life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Cyndi is the best co-employee we have.
From
Marissa Cifra
Alaska Airlines
|
|
|
|
Sorry to hear of Cynthia,s passing. I enjoyed working with Cynthia, she taught me a lot at Alaska.
Aleta Carpenter
|
|
|
|
|
