PHX Perspective

Record Number of Teams Participate in Annual Jet Pull Fundraiser

It was a pleasant, sunny day on Friday, Oct. 23, at the US Airways Maintenance Hangar at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. But it wasn’t a typical day there. In fact, the 95,000-pound Airbus 319 US Airways plane painted in the Arizona Cardinals livery was sitting parallel to the hangar, and scores of people dressed in matching, colorful T-shirts, as superheroes, in evening gowns, and other costumes were gathered. The song “Eye of the Tiger” was thundering loudly and the crowd chanted. Indeed, this wasn’t your typical day at the hangar.

What was going on? Teams of employees from US Airways and the city of Phoenix Aviation Department flocked to the hangar to pull the aircraft 15 feet as fast as they could. Sound unbelievable? Well, it’s not, and what is even more unbelievable is that one of these teams pulled the plane in as few as 5.93 seconds.

For the past several years, this US Airways/City of Phoenix Jet Pull has taken place. The event raises money for the Community Service Fund Drive’s United Way Campaign. Teams of 20 people are assembled and pay for an entry into the Jet Pull to compete for top honors of pulling the aircraft the fastest. Participants from US Airways pulled first. CEO Doug Parker even wore a superhero cape like other teammates to pull the plane while two ladies from US Airways dressed as Vegas Showgirls to pose for pictures. Then, it was time for the city of Phoenix teams to pull. City officials, Councilman Claude Mattox and Phoenix Aviation Board Member Patty Johnson, among others, attended the event to pull the plane for the community. Even the Airport’s mascot, Amelia, gave it her shot at pulling between posing for pictures with children, employees and greeting attendees.

“We had a record number of teams participating for both city of Phoenix and US Airways,” said Community Service Fund Drive Chair and City of Phoenix Aviation Employee Kate O’Malley. “This is always a fun event, and it is a great feeling to be able to literally PULL for our local community!”

In the end, the city of Phoenix raised approximately $8,000 for the United Way and its programs. Here are the results: