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Up, Up, and Away
Captain Fred Abbott, Continental’s vice president of flight operations, was recently invited to fly with the Blue Angels in Pensacola, Fla. (The U.S. Navy’s aerobatic flying team marked its 60th anniversary in 2006.) “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for a pilot to ride with a demonstration team,” says Abbott, who is pictured above. “It was just a wonderful experience and a privilege.”
Abbott says the flight was different from the flying he has done since joining the airline industry in 1975. While he had flown aerobatic maneuvers as a military pilot, he had never been in an aircraft with the power and performance of the F-18.
“The entire flight was a thrill,” he reports. “From the initial high-performance takeoff, to the arrival and landing, every maneuver was spectacular. Flying with the opposing solo pilot for the team, we were able to fly many of the same maneuvers performed in the air shows. I never thought I would get the chance to fly upside down and do loops, rolls, and seven-G turns in a modern fighter aircraft.”
Continental Airlines regularly hires military pilots to fly its commercial fleet worldwide. About 15 percent of all current Continental pilots are active with either the military reserves or a state National Guard unit. Almost half of Continental’s pilots have served in the military.
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Prized Artwork
The careers of 10 young artists may get a lift as a result of Continental Airlines’ art competition in Japan. The students drew their inspiration from various Pacific destinations, including Bali, Cairns, Guam, Palau, and Yap.
“We were very pleased to receive many amazing drawings,” says Continental Managing Director of Japan Charles Duncan. “Each one was interesting and unique.”
Some of the titles students gave to their masterpieces included The Blue Ocean and Laundry in the Chuuk Islands; Palau — the World’s No. 1 Aquarium; and Stone Money of Yap Island.
The winning artwork is on display at Guam International Airport for one year.
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Run for Fun
The 20th annual ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run, Houston’s only point-to-point 10K race and 5K fun run/walk, will take place Saturday, February 24, 2007. The event raises scholarship funds for Texas students and will once again kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade.
The wheelchair race starts at 9:40 a.m., and the 10K race and 5K fun run/walk follow at 9:45 a.m. All races will begin at the corner of Texas and Smith Streets and finish at Minute Maid Park. Registration for both races opens December 1, 2006, for $20 per person ($25 after Feb-ruary 3, 2007). Those interested in participating can register online at conocophillipsrodeorun.com or by picking up a race brochure at Houston-area Conoco and Phillips 66 stations and Kroger stores.
More than 7,000 participants are expected to dash through the streets of downtown Houston past thousands of spectators. The combination of Texas flavor and hospitality, plus a Texas-size post-race party, makes the event one of the most popular and memorable races in the region.
Since its inception, the Conoco-Phillips Rodeo Run has raised $1.65 million for the HLSR Educational Fund, with $145,000 raised in 2006. For more information about the race, please call the Rodeo Run hotline at 281.293.2447.
ConocoPhillips is an integrated energy company with interests around the world. For more infor-mation, visit conocophillips.com.
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Giving Back
When Continental employees at Newark Liberty International Airport pull together behind a cause, it’s usually Debbie Wall who serves as the catalyst to bring their efforts to fruition.
Wall is a Continental recruiter by profession but a philanthropist at heart. She has the ability to generate excitement as she organizes her co-workers to donate their time and resources to causes to benefit physically and mentally challenged children and victims of abuse. “I like helping people,” she says.
Recently, Wall organized the 14th Newark Airport Day, which took place Saturday, September 30, and drew thousands of people. Wall’s leadership resulted in more than 200 co-workers volunteering, and the event helped to raise more than $350,000 for Special Olympics.
“It is rewarding to see that it goes off well and it makes a lot of people happy,” Wall says.
One of the main attractions at Newark Airport Day was an airplane pull contest, in which teams tested their muscle to determine which group could pull a jet not only the fastest, but also the farthest.
“Debbie is an outstanding contributor to many Newark events,” says Newark Hub VP Jon Roitman. “If we do anything involving employees, Debbie is usually the go-to person. She has also assisted with our Burger Burn, holiday events, coat and toy collections for disadvantaged women and children, and other local events. It seems as if she has endless energy when it comes to helping others.”
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Making a Dramatic Difference
“Great theater knows no geographic boundaries, and neither does the generosity of audience members,” says Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This fall and winter, Broadway fans across North America joined audiences in New York to support this worthy cause. Since 1988, BC/EFA has raised more than $100 million for people with AIDS and HIV-related diseases and other debilitating illnesses.
Touring shows have recently helped raise more than $800,000 through audience appeals in cities and towns across the country. In turn, this has helped BC/EFA award $4.6 million in grants to AIDS and family service organizations in 48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, as well as another $3.5 million to the Actors’ Fund, the primary social service agency for all members of the entertainment industry.
For information visit BroadwayCares.org or LiveBroadway.com, and view online story. Continental is the official airline of Live Broadway and a proud sponsor of BC/EFA.
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