THUNDER BAY - It’s all about leaning into it, pulling with all your might, and hoping to see a 50,000 pound plane start to move down the tarmac. But seeing those wheels budge is not the victory, it's knowing you are pulling for a good cause.
On Saturday, more than 150 people participated in the second annual Wasaya - United Way Plane Pull at the Thunder Bay International Airport.
“What’s really cool is that everyone always says Thunder Bay has a big heart and here is Thunder Bay pulling for the families that are in need in Thunder Bay for the United Way,” said Mike Gallagher, United Way campaign co-chair.
Last year, the event raised more than $17,000 in support of the United Way and organizers are hoping to pull in more than $20,000 this year.
“We’ve institutionalized this under our new Wasaya management structure and we’re really excited we can do something for the community like this and it looks like everybody is having a really great time,” said Michael Rodyniuk, president and CEO of Wasaya Airways.
This year there were 11 teams participating. Each team had three rounds to try to pull a Dash 8 weighing more than 50,000 pounds 50 feet in the quickest time. Andy Paulusma and his team, Making Gains and Pulling Planes, said the first round is about finding the best strategy.
“We weren’t really sure the first round,” he said. “It was sort of figuring it out. Basically when they say go, you lean into it and pull as hard as you can.”
Luckily, the second round went smoother and the plane seemed to move a little more easily down the tarmac. But no matter how strong you are, pulling a plane is no easy feat.
“Take a look at this plane,” Rodyniuk said. “It’s more than 50,000 pounds, so to move 50,000 pounds with six people, it takes a lot to get that momentum moving. So these guys are really impressive.”
It all comes down to teamwork, and when people work together, great things can happen, like pulling an entire plane and helping those in need.
“Wasaya has done a great job opening up their hangar and their tarmac for a great event like this,” Gallagher said. “And it’s everyone working together. It’s physical, it’s team building, and it’s like one big happy family doing things for families in Thunder Bay.”
“I think it’s a unique thing,” Paulusma added. “You don’t see anything like this and the fundraisers that are sort of the one offs and unique draw bigger crowds out. And it’s a good chance to show off to everybody and see how strong you are.”
