American Airlines employees pull 92,500-pound plane for charity

Dressed in hot pink shirts embellished with their team identify “Fly Ladies,” 20 women of all ages who normally employees the ramp for American Airways gripped the rope, crouched into the all set position and waited for the cue to get started pulling.

Hooked up to the rope? A 92,500-pound American Airways Airbus 319 jet.

Typically these women would be directing the aircraft, loading or unloading baggage and serving to the plane back absent from the gate. But on Thursday morning, when the siren sounded, the women of all ages strode backward in unity, pulling the plane the complete 15 toes in just 8.76 seconds.

The Fly Ladies were being a single of 35 groups who competed in American Airlines’ once-a-year Jet Pull, a contest to see which team can pull the jet 15 ft the swiftest.

“We did 8.15 seconds so we’re not in the guide but it is excellent sufficient,” reported John Daley, handling director for American Airways in Phoenix, following his group accomplished the pull.

The Jet Pull is organized by the airline’s Abilities Staff Enterprise Team, which looks for ways to best serve customers with disabilities. Every single group pays $200 for the  prospect to contend, and proceeds benefit The Arc of Arizona.