Planes, Trains, and a Wish!
For most New Yorkers, a trip through Grand Central Terminal or JFK is a means to an end, passing through to their final destinations. For Cole, though, they’re a dream destination, full of his favorite things.
Cole is a 14-year-old from Cape Cod and a lover of all planes, trains, and automobiles. He’s on a first-name basis with the owner of his local hobby store and has amassed a massive collection of radio control cars, planes, boats and trains. His knowledge of the history could rival some experts… but communicating it can be difficult.
Cole was diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease when he was six months old and has battled through four heart surgeries, including a mechanical valve that helps his heart. He also lives with autism.
For his wish, Cole wished to visit New York City, and wanted it to encompass all his favorite things. First on the list – a stay at the perfect hotel for a lover of planes, the TWA Hotel. With the help of The Points Guy, Cole scored a runway-facing room, where he could watch the planes take off and land all day, something his family says truly calms him.
His favorite part of the hotel, however, was the pool. He spent hours laying poolside watching the planes go by – for him, a perfect way to relax!
Thanks to our friends at JetBlue, Cole also got a VIP tour of their terminal. He got to go behind the scenes at their Operations Tower, where he got a firsthand look at taxiing aircrafts in and out of the terminal.
Next, he met JFK's Chief Captain for a private a tour of JetBlue's A321 Mint aircraft - he even got to see the cockpit where he sat in the Captain’s chair and got to play with some controls.
Cole also got an up-close-and-personal look at some of the planes! He threw on some safety vests and earplugs and was escorted onto the ramp by GO Crewmembers who taught Cole how to wingwalk an aircraft, let him hook the aircraft up to a tug, and gave him a tour.
But planes weren’t the only things on his list. Cole wished to visit Grand Central Terminal, where he could see the trains up close.
With the help of the MTA, Cole had the experience of a lifetime, stepping inside of the locomotive – a place that’s normally off limits. He learned about the different switches and how the train runs, and even got to sound the horn.
“We watch train movies all the time, so he’s very knowledgeable on everything. To get to see him in the train starting it up, blowing the horn… it was awesome,” his dad, John, said.
They also got to walk the Grand Central catwalk and look out over the terminal.
“It was so kind. I think this was a huge experience; it’s going to have a big impact on him,” his twin sister Reese said. “I’m so glad we got to do this for him.”
The day didn’t just impact Cole though. For Metro North Line Superintendent Mike Cunningham, it meant so much to see his everyday be a part of Cole’s wish. “It always warms my heart to see the excitement in a kid’s eyes when they come up and see the locomotive,” he said.
After a difficult battle and an especially difficult year, his dad said that this was truly an unforgettable experience, one that will stay with him for a lifetime.
“He is such a good boy, and he deserves the best and is truly fantastic,” he said. “He had a tough go in the beginning and like I said he deserves the best and we are so grateful for Make-A-Wish.”