Atlanta Airport Blog

Delta employees drag jet to raise money for cancer charity

Members of the Mile High Ques participate in pulling a 125,000-pound Delta 757-200 aircraft for about 25 feet during the Delta Jet Drag event to benefit the American Cancer Society on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The popular event attracted about 150 teams of Delta employees. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com
Members of the Mile High Ques participate in pulling a 125,000-pound Delta 757-200 aircraft for about 25 feet during the Delta Jet Drag event to benefit the American Cancer Society on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The popular event attracted about 150 teams of Delta employees. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com
May 3, 2023

If you passed by Delta Air Lines’ maintenance facility at the Atlanta airport on Wednesday, you might have been seen a strange sight: A Boeing 757 being dragged by 25 people with a rope.

Members of the American Cancer Society pull a 125,000-pound Delta 757-200 aircraft during the fundraising Delta Jet Drag. The event benefits their organization, where over a hundred and fifty teams from Delta employees worldwide pull a 757 aircraft in the quickest amount of time.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com
Members of the American Cancer Society pull a 125,000-pound Delta 757-200 aircraft during the fundraising Delta Jet Drag. The event benefits their organization, where over a hundred and fifty teams from Delta employees worldwide pull a 757 aircraft in the quickest amount of time. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Some 150 teams of Delta employees from across the country, one after the other, gave the airliner the old heave-ho, competing to see who could drag the jet the fastest.

There was more than just bragging rights on the table — the annual event this year is expected to raise $1 million for the American Cancer Society. It’s an unconventional fundraiser hosted by the airline for the 12th time.

“This is the finest of Delta coming out to take care of its community, having fun while we’re doing it and making a difference in the world,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.

Hope Thrive team members react as they prepare to participate during the fundraising Delta Jet Drag event to benefit the American Cancer Society on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com
Hope Thrive team members react as they prepare to participate during the fundraising Delta Jet Drag event to benefit the American Cancer Society on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

A team made up of members of Delta’s cancer support group for employees — which helps survivors, caregivers and people going through cancer treatment — was joined by Bastian helping to pull the jet.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian (center) participated in the event with the "Hope Thrives" team during the Delta Jet Drag fundraising event to benefit the American Cancer Society on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com
Delta CEO Ed Bastian (center) participated in the event with the "Hope Thrives" team during the Delta Jet Drag fundraising event to benefit the American Cancer Society on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Miguel Martinez /miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

“When you’re out there, the adrenaline is so crazy,” said Patti Schultz, a Delta performance manager and president of the cancer support group. ”It’s crazy to think you can pull a 757 jet, but it is exhilarating to do that.”

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As business team lead, Kelly Yamanouchi edits and writes business stories.

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