Last Minute Chat with Elf Crash

Elf Crash Murphy, International Director of Santa Trackers and famed Eye-in-the-Sky reporter for North Pole Radio News, held a last minute chat with tracker elves. This is a transcript of that revealing conversation:

Elf MaxHello!
Elf MaxSorry, I’m multi-tasking here. Waiting for Crash to show up
Elf WestoverIs Crash Chat Here?
Elf WestoverAMAZING
Elf WestoverI AM SO GLAD I MADE IT
Elf UlanHi Elf Max! Thank you so much for Elf Wall. You are the best! XD
Elf MaxThank you for being here. I’m having a lot of fun, despite all our little troubles
Elf MaxWhat time is it there, Elf Ulan?
Elf UlanHi Elf Westover!
Elf Sugar CookieHi! How is everyone doing?
Elf MaxHello Elf Sugar Cookie!
Elf UlanIt’s 7:58 am Saturday! Very cold and my fingers don’t work well, lol
Elf MaxOh my goodness! I keep forgetting you’re Sector 1
Elf Crash MurphyHey everybody!
Elf AshantiHello everyone
Elf WestoverI Am Making My Santa Tracking Video Today. I Have Alot To Catch Up On Today
Elf WestoverHELLO!
Elf Sugar CookieHi Elf Crash!
Elf MaxHello, Crash – how are we doing this?
Elf AshantiWhat time does sector 5 check in
Elf UlanHahaha, which sector do you think I am?
Elf Crash MurphyWe’re just going to chat, Maxy. No rules.
Elf UlanHi Elf Crash!
Elf MaxI just forgot what Sector you were Elf Ulan. In my mind, everyone is in the same sector
Elf Buddy Christmasdid i miss the chat?
Elf WestoverHey Everyone!
Elf Crash MurphyHello Elf Ulan….! I’ll be heading over Japan soon
Elf Crash MurphyNo Elf Buddy Christmas, you’re right on time
Elf Crash MurphyHi Elf Westover
Elf WestoverCrash, Have You Been Over North America Yet?
Elf MaxCrash, when do you sleep?
Elf notJackHi everyone!
Elf AshantiElf max what time does sector 5 check in
Elf Crash MurphyI haven’t been anywhere yet but within about 12 hours or so I’ll be on the final test flight of Santa’s sleigh
Elf Ashantihi elf jack
Elf UlanElf Crash! Yes, I’m so exciting you are coming here soon! Do you know where my house is, lol?
Elf WestoverI’m Doing a Live Stream To Help The STN! Community And Tracking Santa Tomorrow!
Elf Crash MurphySleep….? Right after this chat I’m taking a nap.
Elf WestoverGREAt idea
Elf Crash MurphyElf Ulan, I have no idea where your house is. Maybe you can put out a flag or something
Elf MaxElf Westover, I hope I can watch your live stream
Elf MaxCrash, you stay up for two full days?
Elf UlanElf Max, yeah, I think so that we are the same sector sometimes XD
Elf AshantiElf Murphy are test flights being done in wadley Georgia
Elf Crash MurphyYes, not much sleep to be had until…maybe late Monday.
Elf notJackdo you know where everyone else’s house is?
Elf WestoverCrash, How Are You Doing Flying Over The Sectors? Is It Cold?
Elf Crash MurphyElf Ashanti – test flights are done everywhere except for the final test flight. I don’t have any control where that test flight goes. That’s up to the pilot
Elf UlanElf Crash, okay. I’ll put a flag on my house. Please find it! Lol
Elf AshantiThank you
Elf Crash MurphyElf Westover, sometimes it is cold. It sure starts out cold at the North Pole.
Elf WestoverI Know That!
Elf Crash MurphyDo I know where Wadley is? Something about that sounds familiar
Elf Buddy ChristmasCrash, Do you eat or drink anything while up int the air  while following Santa?
Elf AshantiIt is in Georgia
Elf AshantiIt is 1 hour from Augusta elf Murphy
Elf Crash MurphyI don’t know where individual houses are, Elf Not Jack. I don’t have time to pay attention to that because I’m in the air all the time.
Elf WestoverCrash, I Hope You Get Safely Back For The Big Flight ARound The World
Elf Crash MurphyMy job is to watch Santa
Elf Sugar CookieHi Elf Crash! When we’re told to “stand down”, what does that mean for our reports? Just to double-check, would we stop sending in reports until our Elf Supervisor asks for them again next year?
Elf WestoverLike All Of Us We Track Santa For Santa
Elf Crash MurphyElf Buddy Christmas, I eat constantly on the flight. There’s not much else to do but to keep an eye on Santa and an ear on the radio. I love this though. Best day of the year for this elf.
Elf AshantiDo you know where wadley is elf Murphy
Elf Crash MurphyOh my goodness. I was born in Georgia.
Elf WestoverAMAZING!
Elf WestoverI’ve Lived Their
Elf WestoverOnce
Elf Crash MurphyYes, Elf Sugar Cookie – a stand down order is kind of like a Bedtime Advisory – it means your job is done.
Elf UlanElf Crash, you will go to the last test flight at the port. Will the nine reindeer fly with the sleigh then? How’s Vixen?
Elf Crash MurphyThe test flight uses reindeer from the test flight team. Santa’s reindeer are saved for, well, Santa.
Elf Sugar CookieThank you!
Elf Crash MurphyI haven’t heard anything new about Vixen. I tried to get time to go over there today but it didn’t happen. I’m worried about her.
Elf Crash MurphyI know when Santa gets back to the North Pole the first thing he’s going to do is to visit Vixen. This is all kind of a big deal.
Elf WestoverCrash, This Year I Will Be Making The Feast. Crash, I Have Alot Of Suprises For You Guys!
Elf Crash MurphyThe feast? What’s in it? You do a feast? Man, that sounds awesome.
Elf Sugar CookieI’m worried about Vixen, too. I hope she’s well enough to fly; I’m sure she would be heartbroken if she couldn’t.
Elf WestoverIt’s a Tradition
Elf UlanThank you, Elf Crash. I hope the rest will go well and the weather will be okay!
Elf Crash MurphyVixen is a spunky girl and I’ll tell you – I think she could fly with one leg.
Elf WestoverWe Get Turkey Cracker Sandwiches, Chocolate, And So Much More Like Cookies!
Elf Crash MurphyCan’t do anything about the weather. We run into it all. I saw Elf Randi’s post about the thunderstorms in the South Pacific. That’s going to be weird.
Elf notJackAbout the bedtime advisories, how strict are they?
Elf Crash MurphyThe bedtime advisories are just that – they are advisories. Santa knows families have a lot of stuff going on and can I tell you a little secret about that?
Elf WestoverCrash, Do You Know When We Need To Check In?
Elf Crash MurphyElf Westover, you’re in Sector 5 still right?
Elf notJacksecret?
Elf WestoverYes
Elf Crash MurphyYes, the secret about bedtime advisories is that a lot of parental types will tell Santa in advance when NOT to come. That happens a LOT
Elf UlanI think you will check in soon, Elf Westover
Elf Crash MurphyElf Westover, Sector 5 will begin check-ins in a few hours. It won’t be long. You’ve got 24 hours to check in, so if you fall asleep in your cheerios you can do it when you wake up
Elf Crash MurphyI can tell you have had a monster response to check ins in Europe. It’s very exciting to see that
Elf WestoverDo you know how to check in? I’m very new t
Elf MaxHow do you hear about stuff like that, Crash? Is it different now?
Elf UlanYes, I checked in around 9 pm last night
Elf Crash MurphyElf Westover, when Elf Pinky posts it the check in form is on the post. Just watch the sector 5 news page or ask another elf on the Elf Wall. Plenty of people there to help
Elf WestoverI Don’t Know How To Check In. Do I Login Like The Other Times?
Elf Crash MurphyMaxy, as a reporter I had to go ask. Now in my new job, I tell them to call me. Today I have been getting texts like crazy
Elf WestoverI’ll Be Right Back
Elf MaxSorry, Crash. I’ll leave you alone.
Elf Crash MurphyHahaha – you better not, Max. I know you’re not getting any sleep here because you’re always on the job.
Elf MaxHave you ever thought that you and Frank should trade places?
Elf Crash MurphyHeck no. Frank would never go report from a sleigh.
Elf MaxHe wouldn’t? Why not?
Elf Crash MurphyBecause it would mess up his hair
Elf notJackhow many people sight you and santa on the journey?
Elf Lil CreamSorry I’m late
Elf UlanElf Crash, the weather is weird here too. It’s been more chili than usual since a few days ago. I saw snow, and its very rare. Please stay warm and safe! I worry about your flight suit and goggles.
Elf Crash MurphyYou know what, Elf Not Jack – I wish I knew the answer to that because I’ve asked the same question. We always interview people on the radio who say they see us
Elf Crash MurphyElf Ulan, Santa goes north-south a lot and I layer my clothes. So I’m always putting stuff on and taking it off.
Elf Crash MurphyMy sleigh has a good heated seat though
Elf Sugar CookieDo you have an air conditioner for warmer locations?
Elf MaxDoes Frank really care that much about his hair?
Elf Crash MurphyYeah, there is heat and air conditioning on the sleigh. Sometimes it gets confusing. I’ll have a hot b*m then need the air to cool me down.
Elf Crash MurphyFrank is always fussing with his hair. He uses more hairspray than a gorilla
Elf MaxHahaha – is that why you fly in the sleigh, because you’re bald?
Elf Crash MurphyLOL, yes, that’s pretty much my main qualification.
Elf Crash MurphyThat and I don’t throw up any more in flight.
Elf MaxI know you’re kidding, but did that really happen to you?
Elf UlanElf Crash, yes, Santa, and you fly the North-South sounds very crazy. But I feel relieved your sleigh and suit sound comfortable.  Is your sleigh open sleigh too?
Elf Crash MurphyOh yeah. Think about it. A sleigh in the air is more unstable than a boat on the water. You gotta have an iron stomach.
Elf Crash MurphyYes, both sleighs are open. But we have wind shields we sometimes put up. It’s the wet that can be a problem. That’s why I’m worried about the rain in the South Pacific.
Elf MaxDo you get rained on and snowed on a lot??
Elf Crash MurphyYes, every year. Leaving the North Pole in a blizzard is really the worst. It’s like being in a blender.
Elf Crash MurphyWow, you guys are asking GREAT questions today!
Elf Sugar CookieYikes! you really aren’t kidding when you’ve said that sleigh flight isn’t for everyone!
Elf Crash MurphyHi Elf Lil Cream!
Elf Crash MurphyIt isn’t for everyone, Elf Sugar Cookie
Elf MaxWhere’s Frank right now? Asleep?
Elf Crash MurphyFrank is lining up all the field reporters. Holly Berry, Red Stocking, Elf Al, etc.
Elf Crash MurphyBut I understand he’s got to get some sleep too – like before Sector 5 starts checking in. Frank sits in the Big Chair and he’s up longer than even me.
Elf UlanThank you, Elf Crash. I hope you have a nice rain poncho or covering sleigh or something can put automatically!
Elf Lil CreamHow do the trackers who are interviewed during the radio show get on?
Elf notJackhow do the field reporters get around so quickly?
Elf WestoverCrash, I Will Really Try To Check In. Its 4:28 PM In My Sector But I Am Really Confused About How Do I Check In?
Elf Crash MurphyYes, Elf Ulan. Frank got me a pair of goggles with little windshield wipers on them. I can’t wait to try it out
Elf Crash MurphyElf Westover, relax. I’ll have Elf Max help you, ok?
Elf WestoverThank You Crash!
Elf Lil CreamHaha! Fun
Elf UlanPerfect goggles! XD
Elf Crash MurphyThe field reporters got sent to their areas of service days ago, some even weeks ago. And they have their own sleigh drivers too. But they do a lot of work by phone. Especially Elf Carol Frost in Sector 1
Elf WestoverBye Everyone Se You Tomorrow. Sorry, I Have To Leave So Soon, I Got Some Work ANd Reports To Do. BYE!
Elf Crash MurphyBye Elf Westover. Good work!
Elf Crash MurphyAnd I should be going too. Any last questions?
Elf WestoverTHANKS!
Elf WestoverI Have One Last Question
Elf MaxCrash, good travels to you. Be safe!
Elf Crash MurphyGo ahead, Elf Westover
Elf WestoverDo You Have Any Chocolate In Your Sleigh? XD
Elf Crash MurphyYes, chocolate is a must. I usually like a Symphony bar with the toffee bits. Man, I love those. Mrs. Claus also packs me some fudge.
Elf UlanWill it finish? Thank you so much, Elf Crash. Please take care, looking forward to seeing you. Merry Christmas and happy birthday! XD
Elf Crash MurphyHey, Elf Westover, is there any good Mexican food where you are?
Elf WestoverAwesome. But Whats Your Favorite Candy. I Want To Leave You All Something
Elf WestoverYes Tons Here
Elf Crash MurphyThank you, Elf Ulan. I’ll be looking for you!
Elf WestoverBurrito’s Are One Of My Favorites
Elf Crash MurphyI have a feeling by the time we get to Utah we’ll be in the mood for Mexican.
Elf WestoverI Live On Tuscany Rd.
Elf Crash MurphyReally? Me too. Man, now i’m hungry.
Elf UlanThank you, Elf Crash! XD
Elf WestoverHa Twins
Elf Crash MurphyI’m in the air – roads are hard for me to identify
Elf WestoverSafe Travels Crash And Have All The Chocolate You Want
Elf Crash MurphyOK, gotta scoot. Merry Christmas all of you. And THANK YOU for tracking Santa for Santa.
Elf Lil CreamThanks for stopping by crash! Have a great day and merry Christmas!
Elf MaxThanks Crash!
Elf WestoverWhats Your Favorite Candy Crash?
Elf MaxAnd thanks for being here everyone. This was a lot of fun.
Elf UlanMerry Christmas!
Elf WestoverBye Crash!
Elf MaxMerry Christmas all!
Elf UlanThank you, Elf Max!

Sector 5 Elves Check In Now

Ok, Elves – this is it! We’re officially invited by North Pole Flight Command to track Santa for Santa in this our final phase. That means we can now officially check in. Santa’s launch is a little more than 24 hours away. So we need to show we’re ready to do business.

Check-in below:

Sector 4 Elves Check In NOW

Friends in Sector 4 in South America, Greenland and in parts of the North Atlantic – we have been invited by North Pole Flight Command to begin checking in for tracking Santa for Santa. Please do so below as soon as you possibly can!

Tracking Santa Radio Show Begins Soon

At 5am EST on December 23rd the Tracking Santa Around the World Live Radio broadcast begins.

This long-running Kringle Radio production is a Christmas Eve tradition in more than 160 countries around the world. It features North Pole elf news reporters stationed in locations around the world reporting on Santa’s journey. It is non-stop commercial-free Christmas music interrupted only by exclusive North Pole Radio News.

The program runs for two full days – from when the clock ticks over to Christmas Eve in the far corners of the world until after Santa returns to the North Pole.

We hope you can join us!

Air Traffic Report Needed

Elves,

We should be checking in soon but for now you should know that we’ve received a rather odd but specific request for an Air Traffic Report in Sector 3.

The west coasts of Portugal and Morocco – around ANY airport or military base especially – they would like to have further information about current air traffic levels.

If we have elves in Morocco or Portugal, we would appreciate your help. Just provide the information below:

Just look out the window and look up!
Check all that apply
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
This is optional

Thanks!

Last Chat with Elf Crash Today

Just a reminder that our last chat of the season will be an open chat with Elf Crash Murphy at 6pm EST in Elf Chat here on SantaTrackers.net.

Right after this chat Crash heads for a bit of a nap because the North Pole Radio News broadcast of “Tracking Santa Around the World” begins tomorrow morning at 5am EST.

By tradition, the broadcast begins just as the clock turns past midnight and begins December 24th in the far corners of the world. In the hours before Santa’s launch Elf Crash will be participating in the final test flight of Santa’s sleigh and reporting of that experience on the radio.

This chat is Crash’s last opportunity to talk with you before things take him away. He desires to answer your questions, whatever they may be. If you cannot make this chat with Crash we invite you to post your questions in the comments below.

We hope to see you there!

Thunderstorm Activity in Sector 1

Trackers,

The early word from North Pole Flight Command is that there is some concern with summer thunderstorm activity in Samoa and Fiji, specifically. Being located in Fiji allows me to access local weather information. But we could use some weather watchers to feed us current data in:

Tonga
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Vanuatu
New Caledonia

We also have concerns for wet weather in Sydney, Australia and other coastal cities of Australia.

New Zealand likewise has some concerns, especially with higher winds on Christmas morning.

We weather is not going to stop Santa. But it could make for a mess in some situations.

We will likely be sending in a lot of weather reports from these and other areas of Sector 1.

Trackers in Sector 2 Can Check In

Hi Trackers in Asia and the Middle East! We can now check in. Please do so in the form below:

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Sector 1 Elves Can Now Check-in

It’s time!

THIS IS FOR SECTOR 1 ELVES ONLY – for all freelance and North Pole Elves tracking Santa for Santa!

The Regional Tracking Center in Fiji, as part of our launch authorization procedures, is now ready to accept your check-in. Please see this link if you do not understand this process. It’s simple and it makes sense.

Please check in below if you live in Sector 1:

Check-in means we are within 24 hours of being in the Red Zone. Being in the Red Zone means Santa is expected in your area within 24 hours. The Red Zone is the most critical time to be on your tracking game.

Please ask any questions you have in the comments below.

Thanks!

Ground Report Needed for South America

Greetings and Hola from Sector 4 HQ in Aruba,

An unusual request has just come in from North Pole Flight Command for select cities in South America – they want an updated ground report for:

Bogota, Columbia
Valencia, Venezuela
Recife, Brazil
Salvador, Brazil
Cordoba, Argentina
La Serena, Chile

I don’t know why they want this report or why these particular cities. But if you’re out there and can update information, let’s do it!

Gracias!

The Difference Between a Meteor and a Sleigh

Trackers of Sector 5,

Over the past 15 hours or so we have received a good number of sleigh sighting reports. This has mostly come from the Northern USA and Canada.

The test flights of Santa’s sleigh have ended (for now) but there are plenty of sleigh aloft due to Operation Airlift. (Not as many as will be airborne on Christmas Eve, but still there are many sleighs up there). We really appreciate you keeping an eye on the skies.

But in researching these sightings and trying to match them up with flight records at North Pole Flight Command we have determined that some of these sightings are actually of meteors and not of sleighs. In fact, we have it on good authority that right now – from the last several days until at least December 24th – areas of our sector are experiencing the last Ursids Meteor shower of the year. This is a picture of what that meteor shower looks like in areas that have clear skies:

Meteor

Something like that could easily be mistaken for a flying sleigh.

We have no criticism for those sending in pictures like this or reporting a sleigh sighting. We appreciate, in fact, your diligence right now in watching the skies.

How might you be able to distinguish between a meteor and a sleigh?

Honestly, you might not. It just depends on how close or how far away you are from it and maybe even the equipment you’re using to try and capture an image.

If it is close enough, you may see actual lights on a sleigh or even hear sleigh bells.

Of course, you’d get none of that with a meteor.

I’m not sharing this with you to dissuade you from watching and documenting the skies. I’m just letting you know some of these things you’re seeing might not be actual sleighs.

The odds of seeing a sleigh in flight is going up. By the time Santa launches there will literally be thousands of sleighs in flight and that continues all during the 30+ hours of Santa’s flight. So if you WANT to see a flying sleigh and you WANT to dedicate the time to doing it the chances of getting good results only improve over the next couple of days.

You might want to see what local weather forecasters are saying about the visibility of meteor showers in your area before you look to the skies. Be informed.

Thanks and happy hunting!

All Elves on Alert Status

Per plan and as scheduled, North Pole Flight Command has put all elves in all departments worldwide on alert status.

Alert status means that the next phase of Operation Merry Christmas is in process and that all elves need to be actively coming to North Pole websites with regularity to stay informed and to be ready for direction from their elf supervisors.

While we are still about 24-hours away from checking-in for Tracking Santa for Santa it is hoped that you can visit frequently with your Sector news page in advance of that event.

While major announcements are not expected at this time we want all elves to be eyes up and ready for anything.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to support Santa and Operation Merry Christmas!