Good news break: AT&T field technicians set up a COLT at lightning speed for quarantined travelers

Our customers are using words like “amazing,” “lifesaving,” and “hero” to describe our AT&T field technicians. And I agree. So, I’m sharing everyday heroes stories highlighting the great work our team is doing to keep our customers connected to the world during this challenging time.

Last week, I shared a story about mysterious signs of gratitude that appeared in Cleveland garages. This week, I want to share an incredible story of how our field technicians provided critical connectivity for quarantined travelers.

On Feb. 3, AT&T field technician Mario Jardines received an urgent call from his boss. He was needed to help set up a Cell on Light Truck (COLT). Mario and his fellow field technician, Vince Bennett, are familiar with COLTs as they are often used in California during wildfires and other emergencies.

But this COLT was different. Mario quickly learned it was destined for Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar – where hundreds of Americans evacuated from Wuhan, China, after being exposed to the rapidly spreading COVID-19 virus, would be quarantined.

Mario and the rest of the team worked through the night to get the COLT on air about 12 hours before the first evacuees arrived. This is something Mario and his operations manager, Mike Lewis, said likely wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration from multiple teams and more than a dozen people.

“I was impressed with how everyone made this happen,” Mike said. “It was amazing. It took us about 24 hours. Never had this been done so quickly. Everyone knew how critical it was.”

Visit our AT&T Newsroom to read more about how this team was able to reconnect those in quarantine. I’m very proud of the teamwork and dedication that Mario and the rest of the team showed.

If you have an AT&T Field Operations hero who you’d like to give a shout out to, please let me know in the comments below.