MSP - Minneapolis, MN

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News

2020 Pilots For Kids Fantasy Flight at MSP Airport - DELAYED

Last updated 3 days ago

Greetings All!

I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe during these times of COVID that hopefully will be moving on soon and getting better for us all. I'm sorry to say that because of the current state of affairs with the ongoing pandemic and financial situations at Delta and many other airlines, businesses and more, we will NOT be holding a Fantasy Flight to the North Pole at MSP Airport this year as we have done in the past. And while its sad to see a break in this long tradition that spans over 30 years at MSP, the good news is we WILL return stronger and better for an event many of us have come to love next year for the holidays in 2021 hopefully.

In in interim, I am researching a few ideas where we could still possibly do an event to benefit a children's aid organization or hospital and will let you know more details as they form. Also, because the next few months of November and December may not be the best time to plan an event as cold and flu season kicks in to higher gear, I'm looking at instead doing something early next year of 2021 in late Winter/early Spring possibly.

Thank you all for your past support and willingness to volunteer for these great causes and events. And even though we won't be getting together this December, the need for financial support continues and giving now will help us put on an even better event together in the future. So please consider donating online now and directing your tax deductible donation to our MSP group at “MSP – Minneapolis, MN (Coordinator: Rossing)” on the donation direction drop down tab.

Thank you again for all your support and help both past and present. May you and your family and friends enjoy a wonderful holiday together, even if that means doing so virtually or more "socially distanced" this year. And don't worry because as the scriptures say "this too shall pass!"

Cheers,

Chris

Chris Rossing
Captain, Delta Air Lines
Pilots For Kids and MSP Fantasy Flight Coordinator

30th Annual PFK Fantasy Flight to the North Pole at MSP An Outstanding Success!

Last updated 3 days ago

On Saturday, 07 December 2019 several volunteers including Delta pilots, flight attendants others helped to make a difference in the lives of foster kids and families from the Minnesota Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Services at the 30th Annual Pilots For Kids Fantasy Flight to the North Pole held at MSP airport.
Over 200 foster kids and families came to MSP and experienced some great food, games and entertainment including appearances by local sports mascots such as Goldy Gopher (MN Gophers), Viktor the Viking (MN Vikings) and T.C. Bear (MN Twins). In addition, there were other fun activities including face painting, beading, a candy fishing booth and hands-on science activities presented by the Science Museum of Minnesota as well as a cryogenics demonstration by the 3M Visiting Wizards.
The highlight of the day however was when guests boarded a Delta aircraft for a “flight” to the North Pole that took them on a trip around the airport before arriving back at the gate about 45 minutes later where they then found an area that has been magically transformed into the North Pole and where Santa himself was waiting to greet them.
Overall it was a wonderful day that helped not only the guests but also volunteers embrace and get in to the holiday spirit early.

2019 MSP Pilots For Kids Fantasy Flight, Saturday, 07 DEC 2019

Last updated 1 year ago

Greetings All!

I wanted to let you all know about this year's Pilots For Kids Fantasy Flight at the MSP airport happening Saturday, 07 December from 1000-1500 that day. For those who may not be familiar with this event, the Fantasy Flight is an event that has been happening for the past 20+ years at MSP started first by pilot and flight crew volunteers from NWA and now Delta. It features a meal, carnival with games and mascots present to interact with participants from Minneapolis college and pro teams like the Gophers, Wild, Twins, Vikings and more. The highlight of the event is a simulated "flight" to the North Pole on a Delta aircraft (usually an A320 or B757) that loads all participants at a gate, taxis around the airport for a bit and then returns to the gate that has been transformed by the volunteers into the North Pole where Santa is waiting to greet everyone and provide small gift bags.

The event supports kids and foster families from the MN Children's Home Society and is open to anyone who would like to volunteer to help including pilots and employees from other organizations as well as spouses and friends too. There is a potential limit on total number of helpers so if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Clayton Leith soon at clayton.leith@gmail.com. Clayton is an MSP A320 First Officer and in charge of organizing volunteers for this year's event.

The main components and timeline of the PFK Fantasy Flight follow something like this:

10:00am - Volunteers arrive to set-up
11:30am - Kids and families arrive MSP airport
11:45am - Kids and families are escorted to the Fantasy Flight gate from special TSA checkpoint at MSP
12:00pm - Meal, carnival games and special program (looking at a science demo team from 3M and/or the Science Museum of Minnesota this year) at FF gate area
1:30pm - Boarding of FF aircraft
2:15pm - FF aircraft returns to gate (while out taxiing, the gate is transformed into a "winter wonderland" with Santa by volunteers). Kids and families get to meet Santa, etc.
3:00pm - Event closes

If you are interested in help with this year's event, please contact Clayton Leith (clayton.leith@gmail.com) soon. Also be sure to bid-off on your schedule for Saturday, 07 DEC to be available.

Thanks in advance for your help and enjoy the upcoming holidays!

Cheers,

Chris

Chris Rossing
Captain, Delta Air Lines
Pilots For Kids and MSP Fantasy Flight Coordinator

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