Humans of the Gateway Arch: Jason Hensley
In our employee spotlight series, meet the people who make the Gateway Arch experience come to life! Ticket Sales Agent Jason Hensley, who has been with the team since this past fall, was honored as the Arch’s Employee of the Month in December.
Q: What are a few of your responsibilities at the Arch?
A: I sell tickets, provide information to customers about their visit, and assist with the tram process.
Q: What do you love most about your job?
The customers! They are here to have a great time and that makes what I do a relatively low-stress job.
Q: Do you have a favorite story about your time working at the Arch?
A: When I was working downstairs, a customer was wanting to return a tram ticket. I talked her through the process and she ended up going to the top. She came back afterwards and thanked me for talking her into it as she got to experience something she had talked herself out of.
Q: What is something everyone should know about the Arch?
A: Highly recommend booking tickets in advance during the summer. We also get really busy on holidays, so it’s worthwhile to book ahead of time.
A: Describe the Arch in three words.
Q: Mid-century modern masterpiece
Q: For out of town guests, what do you recommend they do in St. Louis (besides visit the Arch?)
A: Forest Park – there is so much to see and do, and it is mostly all free St. Louis has the best Zoo, and one of the top art museums and history museums in the country. I also like going to the Muny when it’s open. Forest Park also has a large green space in the middle of the city, bigger than any other city park.
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat in the St. Louis region?
A: Lilly’s Gyros in Fairview Heights!
Q: Why is the Arch one of the best places to visit in the world?
A: It’s a combination of uniqueness and the transportation. The tram’s engineering is a model of itself. The Arch is an aesthetically pleasing monument with some really, really great views of the city from the top.