Continental pulling power

More than 20 teams of individuals from the Pacific U.S. territory of Guam answered Continental Airlines’ call to pull a plane for cancer research on Saturday (April 8).

The firm's Micronesia division organized a charity plane pull at the weekend to help raise cash for the American Cancer Society, and 24 teams took part in the event, which pitted groups from businesses across the island against each other to see which could tow a Boeing 737 in the shortest time.

The aircraft, which weighs 145,000 pounds, is 41 feet high, 129 feet long and 124 feet wide, had to be pulled for 12 feet. Teams gathered at 9.30am for a parade and began the competition at 10.00am in the Continental Airlines' hanger in Tiyan.

"It's our signature event that our employees wanted to do with the community to help the American Cancer Society," said Mark Erwin, Continental Micronesia president and chief executive officer.

The company said that the team's entry fees - $25 per team member - would go straight to the charity, which aims to prevent deaths from cancer through advocacy, research, services, and education.

Results from the pulling contest will be released later this week.

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