The bird is the word at local airport
The president of Akron-Canton Airport, Rich McQueen, recently pardoned ‘Pilot’, a turkey, who was caged and sitting on a table near a TSA checkpoint.
Pilot's pardon was the airport's way of getting ready for what could be one of the busiest holiday seasons ever. According to Kristie Van Auken, the airport's vice president, seat capacity—the number of seats booked on flights departing Akron-Canton—is running 11% higher than last year. She added that she expected Sunday, November 30 to be the airport's single busiest day.
The uptick in business was the reason Pilot's life was spared. According to McQueen, the bird will live out his days at Goat Feathers Point Farm, located in Peninsula. Not only that, but the lucky gobbler got a second pair of wings at the ceremony. Chuck Leonard, regional manager for Delta Air Lines, presented Pilot with a pair of Delta wings.
Pilot's pardon also kicked off the airport's annual drive, which it holds on behalf of the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. Bins are placed throughout the airport, and travelers are urged to drop off canned food items. The bins will be emptied and the donations given to the food bank by mid-December.
Airport officials could work with a banner printing company to create holiday banners to hang throughout the terminal over the festive period.
Pilot's pardon was the airport's way of getting ready for what could be one of the busiest holiday seasons ever. According to Kristie Van Auken, the airport's vice president, seat capacity—the number of seats booked on flights departing Akron-Canton—is running 11% higher than last year. She added that she expected Sunday, November 30 to be the airport's single busiest day.
The uptick in business was the reason Pilot's life was spared. According to McQueen, the bird will live out his days at Goat Feathers Point Farm, located in Peninsula. Not only that, but the lucky gobbler got a second pair of wings at the ceremony. Chuck Leonard, regional manager for Delta Air Lines, presented Pilot with a pair of Delta wings.
Pilot's pardon also kicked off the airport's annual drive, which it holds on behalf of the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. Bins are placed throughout the airport, and travelers are urged to drop off canned food items. The bins will be emptied and the donations given to the food bank by mid-December.
Airport officials could work with a banner printing company to create holiday banners to hang throughout the terminal over the festive period.