Fifteen feet doesn’t sound like a lot, unless you’re pulling a 50-ton airplane. And that’s exactly what teams lined up to do at the U.S. airways hangar in Charlotte this morning. They weren’t there just to show off which team had the largest biceps. The goal was to raise money for United Way of Central Carolinas.
There were 26 teams of 20 employees, but Freight Flyers was the most anticipated team. After all, they’re the defending champs.
Twenty, large, well-built guys who handle cargo for U.S. Airways tugged at the thick, gray rope attached to the Carolina Panthers Airbus. If it was hard, you couldn’t tell.
Teammate Jonté Wilkes says their job is training enough.
“We don’t prepare for the pull," Wilkes says. "We're heavy-lifting at work. We got a lot of young, strong guys. Some just naturally strong, like me!"
In addition to bragging rights and a trophy, participating teams can feel good about helping the United Way of Central Carolinas. The event raised $6,000 from team registrations and food sales.
United Way’s Tammy Davis says her agency is grateful for the support.
“It just shows the collective impact of the community pulling together under a great cause,” Wilkes says.
Literally pulling together.
The winning time was 5.138 seconds. Freight Flyers went home with the top prize for the second year in a row.
U.S. Airways will have similar competitions in Philadelphia and Phoenix this week.