Trip Report: An unexpected flight to NTP
After Migflanker asked about my DEN-DEN trip in my flight memory, I figured I should have a trip report written up. Especially since my memory can sometimes suck and it's nice to have stuff like this written down. My mom mentioned she may want some snippets about it in next year's Christmas card, for example.
Anyway, so UA has this program at their hubs (and a few line stations) where they take some sick and underprivileged kids to NTP - which, in UA's reservation system at least, is the North Pole! United provides the plane and fuel, while everything else is totally volunteer-driven. I will admit, I mostly volunteered for selfish reasons. Having a full-time desk job, I've really begun to miss working in an airport. And when volunteer positions were posted to help work that flight, I was happy to sign up. And if it's for a good cause, well, why can't something be 100% mutual?
Day of departure comes along. A bit of a glitch at my normal job leads me to borrowing a computer terminal in a baggage service office while I figure a few things out (and ultimately tell my coworker how to do what I would need to do if I had the time) before the official start time. Went to the meeting spot, and waited. To be honest, things were a little disorganized at first. Our leads were quite late, presumably working on getting the North Pole prepared. But from our position, there wasn't that much preparation needed, either. I was ready to work at a ticket counter, checking people in, and helping a few families through security. In the meantime, there were some "therapy dogs" that were also brought in for the kids to play with. I think it was a humane society program or something to get these dogs as mellow as possible to help calm people down. They were some awesome dogs, and one of them (I believe with some police background) is planned to be the first official therapy dog of Denver International Airport.
Ok, so our leads show up. Only a few people were really needed to check in all the passengers, and that was all done ahead of time. In addition to the kids and crew, there were also members of the media on the plane as well as some volunteers. We're told that if we want to go on the plane, we'll be paired up with a family. We'd also have to get booked on the flight. Well, I knew it was a pretty coveted thing to be able to get on the flight, so I didn't think I had a chance originally. But there were still some seats left on UA2107 that day, especially since there were some double-bookings, so I was able to get listed and a seat assignment at the same time! I didn't even have a ride from the North Pole to get back to the airport terminal, but I knew I could come up with something.
In come the kids! We were all paired with a family. I ended up helping out 2 sisters on the flight, we'll call them Carly and Eva, I believe around 8 and 6. They were both very sweet girls, Carly had brain cancer at one point. I'm not sure what her current status is, but if I had met her anywhere else I would have had no idea. She was very excited to go back to the north pole - she was on the same trip a couple years prior. I'm not sure the exact cause, but I was told that she occasionally has a bit of a phobia with males (like myself). Her mom overheard (and told me) that she was just a little nervous about me, so Eva said something along the lines of "well, he said he hasn't done this before, so he's probably afraid of little girls like us." Even if I have a couple nieces that are even younger, they're probably more right than they realize! We also had an older woman who tagged along - just in case.
All the kids are shown a performance with some Latina dancers, who danced for a few songs. I do wish that they also had the old-time carolers we encountered while waiting for our volunteer leads, but it was still nice. The families and volunteers are grouped into a few groups just to keep the crowds together. Some were part of the Christmas tree group, but we were in the snowmen group. Everyone went through security, then down the escalator to the train. For those not familiar with the Denver airport, there's a train that goes from the check-in/baggage claim building to each of the concourses (also separate buildings). We all got our own "Polar Express" train to bring everyone to the B concourses.
The gate area was, of course, beautifully decorated. Behind the counter were some refreshingly enthusiastic gate agents. The Christmas tree group was first to board. The leader of that group didn't have the best announcing voice, and she didn't have a microphone. To help her get her groups attention, I used my (pretty good if I do say so myself) announcer's voice to cry out "Oh Christmas trees, Oh Christmas trees!" to get their attention. I got the reaction I had hoped for.
I went with the girls on the plane, while her mom and brother would meet at the North Pole (and their dad would join later on as well). Even the jetbridge was lined with lights and garland. And then we get into the plane. Holy crap, every Airbus 320 should be decorated like that! Well, at least around the holidays. And on similar flights where people don't have carry-on bags. But it was still really cool! The flight attendants were all smiles, dancing, singing Christmas songs (probably shouldn't quit their day job) and playing some of the classic songs on the PA system. Once everyone boarded, the safety announcement was read. Of course, it was a poem to the tune of "The Night Before Christmas" - oh how I wish I could get a copy of that, it was fantastic!
And with that, sled 1 was cleared to go to the North Pole! At this point, I should tell you in case you're wondering: The North Pole is actually a hangar at the airport. On years where fuel prices are high, they just taxi around and make it seem like they're in the air (I think they have the shades down). This year, we did go up for about 30 minutes. The kids were all given happy meals, more singing, and I talked with the girls a bit. Carly really seemed to warm up to me, which was nice. Since DIA is rather unique looking (with the teepee terminal and all) everyone was told to have their window shades closed about halfway through. It was the only way Santa would let us in to his secret North Pole airport, afterall!
We get into the hangar and we're all greeted with Santa moving around on a hoist hanging from the ceiling at the airport, waving to the kids. Lots of people are there waiting for us, ready to greet everyone who gets off the plane. We walk to the first "reception" area, and it starts with a magic show for the kids. I wasn't able to see much from where I was, sadly, but soon it was Carly and Eva's turn to see Santa! It was just us, their parents, Santa, and Mrs. Claus. And of course, the girls got some early presents. I have to say, those kids got some pretty cool things! Carly got an American Girl doll, for example. I don't know much about girls' dolls, but my mom has said that they're pretty high-end. I'll take her word for it. I've also heard of a kid with a disability getting a special bike he could ride by himself in a previous year. All presents come from donations from UA employees, especially pilots.
After that, the kids all had other things they were able to do - some different craft stations, for example. I can't remember what else there was, to be honest. Around that time, my wife was wondering when I'd be home. I had planned on being home a few hours earlier, and I was still stuck in the hangar. Oops! Thankfully, the girls were with their parents at that point, and I was able to get a ride from another volunteer's dad, who was parked there. He even brought me to my office, 30 minutes from the airport (not far out of the way) so I didn't have to wait for a shuttle from the airport!
Overall, it was a fun "trip" and certainly something unique. I now have a boarding pass with my name on it going to the North Pole. How many people get to say that?!?
