US Airways Shuttle Fantasy Flight to the North Pole

**emshighway** · 12-03-2009, 08:58 PM

The fantasy flight is this Saturday, December 5th.

**hiss srq** · 12-04-2009, 02:36 AM

This is the second one I am going to not be with US at LGA for. Sadly my personal gut feeling says this will also be the last one performed by US at LGA unless they set somthing up in the MAT and taxi from one of the DFC building gates to the MAT. It is a very rewarding experince for us as USAirways employees to be involved in. Probably the most rewarding part about being a USAIrways employee considering you couldnt possibly smile if you had to buy a ticket to fly on them. :evil: :mrgreen:

**emshighway** · 12-04-2009, 02:32 PM

Loretta has told me personally it will continue at the MAT. Her exact words were "they are not taking this from us, it is way too important".

**Matt Molnar** · 12-04-2009, 02:43 PM

Anyone want to give us a brief reminder of what this is all about? :)

**cancidas** · 12-04-2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by GothamSpotter

Anyone want to give us a brief reminder of what this is all about? :)

it's done for kids mainly and there may be a charity involved. the kids go through the shuttle security, board an airplane, taxi around the airport and return to a different gate that is decorated as if it were the north pole. one of our employees dresses up like santa and they have a party in the gate area. if you've seen the inside of our terminal you'll understand, but gates 11 and 12 are separated from gate 15-21. our shuttle flights operate out of gates 16-19 and the checkpoint on that side of the building completely bupasses gates 11 and 12 where the party is held.

**ch2tdriver** · 12-04-2009, 04:37 PM

I remember these well. I was at the US Airways Shuttle (before and during the merge with mainline) as a dispatcher from 1996-98.

Can someone elaborate, the USAShuttle is moving to the MAT? Is the Delta Shuttle no longer?

Pete

**moose135** · 12-04-2009, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by ch2tdriver

Can someone elaborate, the USAShuttle is moving to the MAT? Is the Delta Shuttle no longer?

US and DL are swapping gates at LGA, part of the deal where US gives up LGA slots to DL in exchange for DCA slots. It was discussed here, but search is failing me right now...

**hiss srq** · 12-04-2009, 05:10 PM

They do this every year and it supports chidren with cancer and such terminal illnesses primaraly. It is a wonderful experince from an employe perspective. In the USAirways system they build a route block for a flight numbered 1225 (December 25th) for this and we show it on the departure and arrival boards to add to the sense of realism. They have music, food and other such events. The gate area is decorated in a Christmas theme and it is an all around good time. Considering that the USAirways employees involved are on a volunteer basis for this event there is generally a very high turnout. Espesially among the employees who have children of their own. The last few years it was ran with regular colors A319's but I always thought that it would be a fun idea to use ship 744 for this event. I am sure the children would love to see that their flight to the North Pole was being performed by a smiling airplane.

**emshighway** · 12-04-2009, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by ch2tdriver

I remember these well. I was at the US Airways Shuttle (before and during the merge with mainline) as a dispatcher from 1996-98.

Can someone elaborate, the USAShuttle is moving to the MAT? Is the Delta Shuttle no longer?

Pete

In March 2010, Delta will move their Shuttle Operation to the current US Airways Terminal (I guess to be called Terminal C). US Airways will take the MAT. Around June, Delta will move their mainline (except for ATL and maybe a few others) to Terminal C. Four gates at Delta (Terminal D) will be used by US Airways mainline. It is awaiting DOJ and DOT approval.

**LGA777** · 12-04-2009, 08:52 PM

Again, I have to agree with hiss srq, this is an extremely wonderful event that every years makes me proud to be associated with this airline. Their are actually 2 parties every year. The 1st and by far most important is for the Schneiders Childrens Hospital patients and familes. Once it ends Gates 11-12 get refreshed and more food and presents are stocked then a second party is held (minus the flight/taxi around LGA) for children of our LGA based employees. This years will already be my daughters 3rd, and she and I are both excited.

This year the hospital wanted to bring up to 85 children plus family members so even thought it required some extra cordination we are bringing in an A-321 to allow the extra children to attend. And even snagged one of our new ones, less than 3 month old N538UW, East bird with the VR2500 engines is scheduled.

And here is a nice article about last years event

http://www.queenstribune.com/feature/Fl ... lyIll.html

Regards

LGA777

**LGA777** · 12-05-2009, 11:45 PM

Well today was another successful Fantasy flight, newsday.com has a pretty nice article with about 20 pictures. For those of you like me who have a healthy child or children take a look at some of these photos and be thankfull for what you have, my wife and I sure do, here is the article and photos.

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nass ... -1.1639240

Regards

LGA777