Inuvik (Sep 29/03) - Teryll Dillon is sometimes the first person an airplane passenger sees when they arrive in Inuvik.

And it's a good thing because they're unlikely to meet a friendlier or more helpful person.

Teryll Dillon is most recognizable behind the wheel of the big blue Aklak Air courtesy bus where he spends most of his working hours. - Erin Fletcher/NNSL photo

Dillon is Aklak Air's courtesy shuttle bus driver.

His smiling face and great sense of humour greets passengers flying to and from Inuvik everyday as he welcomes them into his big blue bus.

The 31-year-old lives in Inuvik now, but a lot of his family is from Tuktoyaktuk.

For the first 16 years of his life he lived in Inuvik and returned two and a half years ago.

He's been working for Aklak Air for nearly two years.

"It's more than just driving," explains Dillon while on his lunch break.

He is also a peacekeeper and luggage carrier who knows every street in Inuvik.

He never lets a bad day show. He is always ready with a twinkle in his eye and a helping hand for his passengers.

He doesn't mind helping with the luggage because it's a chance to leap out from behind the wheel.

"I'm driving all day so it's the only real workout I get," he laughed.

He sets the tone for the ride with his upbeat positive attitude.

"There is no reason to be grumpy. They're just going home and I'm doing my job," said Dillon.

"I do love doing my job and I enjoy seeing their smiles when they say thank you."

He remembers just about everybody who has ever flown Aklak Air and their destination -- home or hotel of choice.

"I don't know a whole lot of names but I remember faces."

But he doesn't want to remember everybody, especially the difficult ones.

The hardest kind of passenger to deal with is an "inebriated" one, said Dillon.

"It's not often that it happens but when it does it throws a wrench into my wheels for the day."

At first he found people liked to test his limits.

"But now the rules have been set down there are no more arguments," he said with a grin.