United Airlines Flight Simulator

February 21, 2006

Nearly 40 raisers and 20 puppies visited the United Airlines flight training center, which includes cabin and cockpit simulators where airline personnel can practice emergency procedures in a realistic setting. UA Personnel came out in force to treat our group to a tour, safety talk about emergency procedures, and a "flight" in the cabin simulator. Not all our puppies will have a chance to fly during their time in the raiser's home, so this was an exceptional opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of air travel in a controlled environment.. Raisers learned about emergency procedures, with an emphasis on special needs passengers and service dogs. Everyone agreed it was a fabulous opportunity and we had a great time! Thanks, United!


NOW ARRIVING AT THE TRAINING CENTER TERMINAL
Pam and Brunswick are right on time.	Joe and Miranda have their hands full when Clemens spots all his doggie friends.

Everyone had to register and wear a visitor badge.	Christi shares her badge with Sloan.

MEET YOU IN THE LOBBY
Clemens and Miranda can't wait to see inside the real simulators, but this model is great for starters!	Casey and Harbor check out the gift shop.
	Maryjo and Sheila help black lab Caelyn and yellow lab Quazar practice their good dog-to-dog manners as the lobby fills up with dogs and raisers.

Puppy raising advisor Barb Deevers, leader Carmen Moyer, and the United Airlines safety instructor discuss the goals for the evening--educate the raisers and give the puppies a positive airplane experience.	Cyndi from UA Public Relations meets Danny, the HPWT raiser who put together this wonderful outing.

When everyone was present, we had an introduction to the tour.

PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATIONS
The tour started with three flights of stairs to the training room. With the enclosed, echoing stairwell, and the open sides, this is great experience for our dogs.	We got to see a video of emergency evacuation procedures, and discussed the special needs of blind people and puppy raisers traveling with Guide Dogs in the cabin in case of an evacuation. If a dog has to evacuate out an emergency slide, the best way is for the raiser to hold the dog on their lap while sliding down the inflatable slide. That's a neat feat, if the dog weights 90 pounds!

SIMULATION READY FOR BOARDING
Jeanne and Warner board the 767 cabin simulator.	Jenny and Italy are eager to get on board.
Jeanne and Warner board the 767 cabin simulator.	Frampton is a younger, softer dog. Rhonda gives him the time he needs to feel confident during the boarding process.

TAKE YOUR SEATS!
Often, service dogs are placed in the bulkhead seat. Looks like Agnes will just fit at her raiser's feet.	Yellow and black labs tuck in under their raiser's legs. Watch out for noses and feet in the aisles when the food cart goes by!

Labelle rests her head on her raiser's lap. Even though a puppy may not have experienced the cramped quarters, sights, vibrations and smells of an airplane before, all the socialization they have had prepares them to calmly take everything in stride.	Italy tries to cram himself under the seat ahead of Jenny. It's important for service dogs to stay in the space assigned to their handler as much as possible.

Amanda and Icon have great seats. It's important for raisers accompanied by dogs to let other passengers know about their pup. Being unaware of a dog's presence can give a fellow traveler quite a start, if they have an encounter with a wayward nose or tail!	Sheila and Janet enjoy each other's company. Quazar is neatly tucked at Sheila's feet; even though he's a big dog, he's not infringing on Janet's space.

Launa tries to get comfortable in cramped quarters.

PREPARE FOR TAKEOFF!
When everyone is seated, the trainers turn on the sounds of engines taking off and landing gear going up. They even simulate turbulence and the feel of the airplane turning in flight.

There was lots of time for questions and answers about emergency procedures, including illuminated floor lighting, and the escape slide. Then it was time for a simulated emergecy.	Is that smoke filling the cabin?

Although we didn't have to use the emergency slide and evacuate the plane, a smoke making machine gave raisers an idea of what it would be like in a real emergency. On the floor, below the level of most of the smoke, the dogs were unconcerned.

A quick peek at the cockpit mock-up in the cabin simulator, and it's time to disembark

HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR FLIGHT
A short detour to let raisers see the simulated escape slide; then it's back down the stairs and through the hall.	The building even had a sky-way, just like the airport!

The dogs seem happy to be on the move again and back in the lobby.

Everyone enjoyed the night. Gaston made friends with a UA Trainer with a pretty play bow.
	Looks like Gaston's new friend took him up on the invitation to play!

Thanks, United Airlines! We had a fabulous time!

Happy flying until next time!