United's "Operation North Pole/Fantasy" Flights
#16
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1
Operation North Pole
So glad that you enjoyed the Choir boys! I am actually the chairperson for the event at ORD. The children love it and we love doing it for them. We work very hard all year long to raise money for the gifts for the kids. They present us with a wish list and we do all we can to fulfill that wish. If you would like more info about the fantasy flight let me know and I will be glad to fill you in. MERRY CHRISTMAS
#17
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#18
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pasadena, CA
Programs: UA, BR, DL
Posts: 116
United's fantasy flight to the north pole
Nice article in the Washington Post today about United's fantasy flight from IAD to the "north pole" for kids with serious illnesses to meet Santa:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...121301940.html
They got to ride in a 777.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...121301940.html
They got to ride in a 777.
Last edited by BOSdave; Dec 14, 2008 at 7:30 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P
Posts: 814
+1 forwarded the article to me this morning, saying she thought it was cute. I don't think its kids with terminal illnesses, just kids who are gravely sick. I say ^ to United here, I think we can all agree that trying to make sick kids and their families happy is always a good thing, but I express confusion towards how United made gates at IAD seem nice.
#20
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Posts: 908
hmm
Why couldn't they actually take off and fly around a while then "return" ?? or something else? like fly them to Rovaniemi, Finland (supposedly where Santa Resides) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rovaniemi
That'd really be going for the real experience http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus_Village
That'd really be going for the real experience http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus_Village
#21
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Best of luck for the passengers !
UA cant even operate a flight IAD-LAX properly... now they want to fly to the north pole
UA cant even operate a flight IAD-LAX properly... now they want to fly to the north pole
#22
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Central Virginia
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,231
I've been on many IAD-LAX flights and as far as I'm concerned, any safe flight is a flight properly operated. Why deny the kids the thought that they might be at the north pole.
#23
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, SPG Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 1,970
It was in response to the IAD-LAX flight that stopped in MSY to help 70 stranded people. United is just full of nice gestures this holiday season (not being sarcastic).
#24
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Count Your Blessings
Posts: 1,548
There isn't a big enough GTEM to give to the workers who volunteered in any way to do this.
God bless the kids.
God bless the kids.
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,037
Kudos to United, the United staff and the folks at IAD who made this happen. Kudos also to the people who put up "North Pole" on the departures screen. ^
#26
In memoriam
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My heartfelt thanks to United and their employees for making this such a special day for those kids and their parents. As a person whose first grandchild has spent the first 7 months of his life at Children's Hospital and is finally being released this coming Thursday, I can attest to what a special day this is for the kids big and small.
#27
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Best wishes to you and your grandson, and kudos to United for this indeed.
#28
In memoriam
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#29
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SEA
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Posts: 605
Indeed, kudos to United, and all of the staff who helped out.
#30
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 1,536
^ way up to this one, United. What a nice treat for the kids.