Saturday, November 14, 2009

Behind the scenes

Today we got to take a special trip to Alliance Airport and get a behind the scenes tour of the maintenance facilities for American Airlines. Our tour guide was Jim's dad who works for American and has for the past 17 years. He has had various jobs within the maintenance department, very cool jobs I might add! He currently rebuilds some piece of equipment that goes over the engine for protection. We thought this would be a fun activity since Jacob is so interested in airplanes right now. And I have to say it was very cool! Having worked for an airline myself for 7 years, I find airplanes and the whole airline industry very exciting. I think I was more excited about this tour than anyone else! :)

They had very tight security when we checked in and we all received a badge to wear along with safety goggles and ear plugs. Jacob left his goggles on the entire time. I think wearing them made him feel special! We got to see the area where they rebuild the engines which was very interesting and very complex.

We also got to see a Boeing 777 that was there for maintenance. We unfortunately weren't able to go inside of it because of the work they were doing on it. But we got to see it up close for sure. We weren't allowed to take our camera in but I did manage to take a few photos with my phone. Thank goodness for camera phones!

The boys with Papa Jim. Standing in front of an engine of a 777! Huge!


Standing in front of the landing gear of the 777.




wearing the goggles- Luke only left his on for a short time


Oh and on another note, I have to add a funny conversation that took place between Jacob and Luke on the way to the airport today...

Jacob: "Luke, say JACOB"
Luke: "Bubba"
Jacob: laughing, "NO, not bubba, say JACOB"
Luke: "Bubba"
Jacob: "what, not bubba, say JACOB"
Luke: "Bubba"

By this time we were all laughing which encouraged Luke to keep saying it over and over. It was too funny. We will not be having a "Bubba" in the family...but we might now if Luke keeps getting the reaction he wants! :)

6 comments:

  1. oh my gosh, these are so great!! I love it that they had on their airplane shirts! Jakers is cute with his goggles! you'll have to print and frame that pic for Jim's dad, it is perfect! I bet Jim sr. felt so proud to be able to show you guys all around! And On no with the bubba!! Maybe he can just add a "j" sound with it and be j-bubba :) love you! Kristina

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  2. LOL! I love the Bubba conversation!! Priceless. You know you just couldn't think up those kind of moments! As for the airline tour, I know Jacob was in heaven. The post you made of him flying in his created plane with ya'll for passengers says he loved it! How fun for his Papa Jim to be able to give him (and, apparantly you) that adventure! =)

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  3. What a COOL activity for the boys (oh yeah, and you too, hee hee)! And I love how you dressed them in those sweet little aviator shirts. I know they had a blast and your phone pics were great.

    And I wouldn't be surprised if "Bubba" sticks around for years and years. So sweet!!

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  4. Oh that is so cute you guys got to tour the plane! What a blast! That's so great Jim's dad was able to share that with the boys!

    haha on the conversation - I can just hear it in my head with their sweet little voices & smiles! :) Loves!

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  5. Oh my gosh, that sounds like so much fun! So glad you guys got to do that. Can't wait to see you on Sunday!!!

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  6. I love the picture of the boys with their goggles - too cute! Jacob has always had a thing for safety eyewear. I think I got pictures of him last year around Thanksgiving wearing his safety goggles that came with his tool kit. =)

    What a fun day getting the behind the scenes tour. Glad you snuck in a few shots. Yes, thank goodness for camera phones!

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