Elf Crash Murphy, Santa’s Eye-in-the-Sky Reporter and the Ultimate Santa Tracker, was in Elf Chat today to talk about tracking Santa this year. Everyone’s questions sure made for an interesting conversation. Here is the recap:
| Elf Crash Murphy | Hi ho – MAXY!!! |
| Elf Max | Hi Crash. You’re right on time |
| Elf Ulan | Hi, elf Crash! |
| Elf Buddy Frost | Hello Elf Crash! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I’m surprised to see you here…but not surprised. How are you doing? |
| Elf Max | Thanks, Crash. I’m doing good. I wanted to be back to track Santa this year and it looks like it is working out |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Hi Buddy Frost! Hi Ulan! |
| Elf Buddy Frost | Hope your doing well Crash! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Fantastic! I wasn’t sure who I would be talking with today but I’m glad its you. And I’m glad you’re going to be able to track Santa this year. I know that was a big goal |
| Elf Max | Yeah, I’m not 100% yet but it’s good enough. It’ll be a good Christmas. I’ve got a TON of questions here for you, Crash. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Ok, I’m raring to go. Things are super busy, I think they might be for everyone |
| Elf Max | I think that is why we have so many questions. People want to know how this next week will be different. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | It’s different already. I just got out of our daily pre-flight meeting. Those started last Monday |
| Elf Max | Who is in that meeting, Crash? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Well, it’s me, Santa, Roger, Elf Buck and a handful of folks from Flight Command |
| Elf Max | Pre-flight – so this is about when Santa takes off? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Well, kind of. We talk about different areas of the world and different things going on at Flight Command that will affect launch and delivery. They are short meetings. |
| Elf Max | Have you done these meetings before? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Yes, we start about 10-days out. Every year this is kind of our routine. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | But this year is really different because Santa and Flight Command have SO MUCH more information – different information than last year |
| Elf Crash Murphy | So everything is very detailed like never before |
| Elf Max | Interesting. Will that change what they tell us to do when we track Santa after he launches? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | No doubt. You might get in on this, Max. I’m told there will be some new “quick” type reports that elves might be asked to send in after Santa takes off |
| Elf Crash Murphy | So yes, it’s all looking very different this year |
| Elf Max | When are we going to find out about this? Officially -? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Well, Roger has the deets on that and I’m guessing you might find out tomorrow. But releasing it to the tracker elf world might not happen until Monday or Tuesday |
| Elf Max | Ok, I’ll be ready |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I’ll private message you some stuff after |
| Elf Max | Ok, very good. Ready to take some questions from Elf Ulan and Elf Buddy Frost? |
| Elf Ulan | Hi Crash, which sleigh is faster launching? Santa’s or yours? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Sure thing! |
| Elf Max | Go ahead, guys |
| Elf Buddy Frost | Yes, I am curious to know now, can you give us even a hint of what these quick type reports may be? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Elf Ulan – Santa’s sleigh is the best in the world. I’m in an old clunker. I’m about watching Santa, not keeping up with him |
| Elf Ulan | You mean you will launch after Santa’s sleigh? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Those “Christmas Eve Reports” – that’s what Roger has been calling them will be simple report features so that a tracker can send important information quickly – think things like changes in the weather, flight obstacles, etc. Nothing too fancy or extreme. Just a quick way to get really important information to flight command fast |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Elf Ulan, I actually am in the air most years ahead of Santa. His launch is always a very public affair, you’ll hear it on the radio. And he takes off like a shot. It’s easy for me to already be up there and waiting for him to take off from there |
| Elf Max | Crash, what are they saying will be the need for reports from trackers once Santa takes off? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | They don’t really know. The Elf Supervisors are nervous about it too. But really, Santa doesn’t want to burden Tracker Elves will TOO much because he wants them to be spending time with their families too |
| Elf Crash Murphy | And a lot of it will depend on what’s just going on at the time |
| Elf Buddy Frost | Well you can bet I will be ready to send in those reports! |
| Elf Max | Crash, I’ve seen some trackers complaining in their reports about being sent to bed too early last year. Will bedtime be extended for tracker elves? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I know you will Buddy Frost! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Max – I don’t think Santa’s going to give on the bedtime advisories for anyone. We’ve already talked about it and he’s set in his mind. |
| Elf Max | What do you advise those trackers who want to stay up later to do? |
| Elf Ulan | You see Santa’s launching in the sky^^ is every time looks the same? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I advise them not to do it. |
| Elf Max | Hahaha – why is Santa so strict about this? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I have a lot of theories, Max. But honestly, I think the toughest thing Santa has to juggle is getting people to bed so he can do his job. He’s always thinking ahead. And if he spends a lot of time in one place that means he has less time to get to another. Bedtime on Christmas Eve is a big thing to Santa |
| Elf Buddy Frost | I have another question. I have always wanted to see Santa’s sleigh but what does it, or any sleigh look like at ground level? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Elf Ulan – Santa’s launch is always a different view for me. I’m in the air and he usually takes off in a storm at the North Pole. Very normal for this time of year at the North Pole. So when I see him he’s flying UP – he punches through the clouds and if I have moonlight it’s quite something to see. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Elf Buddy Frost – Santa’s sleigh is always bigger than people imagine it. The size, and the fact that there are a lot of lights on it are what usually surprise people the most. |
| Elf Max | Speaking of the sleigh…. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Yeah, I don’t even want to comment on it, Max. |
| Elf Ulan | Sounds so cool! |
| Elf Max | Crash, I’m hearing a lot of stuff. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Yes, I am too. |
| Elf Buddy Frost | Concerns with the sleigh? |
| Elf Max | Have you guys talked about sleigh options in the pre-flight meetings? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Yes, a little bit. There’s supposed to be a big meeting with all the High Command elves about the sleigh today or tomorrow. This could be an interesting week. |
| Elf Ulan | Speaking of the sleigh lol, do you have jingle bells on your sleigh? |
| Elf Max | Yes, Elf Buddy Frost. There have been concerns coming from the test flights of Santa’s new sleigh all year long. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Yes, Elf Ulan. I have jingle bells on my sleigh. Most people don’t understand the importance of the bells. I never fly without them. |
| Elf Max | Why are the bells so important? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Reindeer fly better with the rhythm of the bells to move them. Without bells they are slower. With bells they work together better. Sleigh goes faster. |
| Elf Ulan | I heard Santa says it too |
| Elf Max | Crash – do you think Santa is going to fly that sleigh they are testing. |
| Elf Buddy Frost | How does the bells affect the reindeer? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | It’s true Elf Ulan |
| Elf Ulan | And do you play Christmas music with the bells too? |
| Hollytinsel234 | Hello |
| Elf Crash Murphy | The bells help the reindeer keep a rhythm. It’s moves them in a way like any music moves all of us. Their hearing is more sensitive to higher pitches and bells seem to work really well for them, especially up there in the high winds. They can hear them. They move more steady with the bells |
| Elf Max | Hello Hollytinsel |
| Elf Buddy Frost | Hm, that actually makes a lot of sense, thank you Crash! |
| Elf Crusader | Hi everyone! Sorry I’m late |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I hear music through my headset, which is almost always on. My headset is where I communicate and do the news from. Hard for me to do my job without it. So I hardly hear the bells. The bells are for the reindeer |
| Elf Max | Do you hear Flight Command through the headset |
| Elf Ulan | Wow, do you know what’s the reindeer favorite music? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Yes, Max. And Santa too. Everyone is in my head. |
| Elf Crusader | Hi crash |
| Hollytinsel234 | Does Santa’s reindeer have Christmas magic? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Yes, Elf Ulan. Reindeer love music. But they especially love jazz, Country Rock and Rock ‘n Roll. Especially Blitzen. He’s a banger |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Hey Crusader! |
| Elf Max | Bltizen is a banger!!!???? |
| Elf Buddy Frost | Me and Blitzen would get along then! I love rock n roll! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Yes. Well, not too much heavy metal. Way into Def Leppard |
| Elf Max | NO WAY!!! |
| Elf Crusader | Crash, are you and santa stopping by my place this year? |
| Elf Ulan | Wow, interesting!! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Not sure, Elf Crusader. That’s a Santa question. I go where he goes. I cannot imagine he’d forget you though |
| Elf Max | Def Leppard doesn’t have Christmas music, do they? |
| Elf Crusader | Thanks |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Geez, Max…how would I know that? |
| Elf Crusader | Umm no they don’t max |
| Elf Max | So Santa doesn’t play it for him? |
| Elf Buddy Frost | I like the Trans Siberian Orchastra. Best christmas rock music! |
| Elf Ulan | Are your teams the same reindeer or change members every year? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | No, but Santa teases him about it. |
| Elf Crusader | I’m a rock and roll fan too. That’s how I know |
| Elf Lil Cream | I’m so glad I joined on time! The chats have always been when I’m gone or too early |
| Elf Crash Murphy | The reindeer will hear Kringle Radio at times on Christmas Eve. They love to hear if they make the news somehow |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Nice to see you Lil Cream! |
| Elf Slimey C | hello! |
| Elf Crusader | I listen to a lot of nickelback,Linkin Park,breaking Benjamin,and daughtry |
| Hollytinsel234 | Crash, whats your favorite Christmas song? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Oh, and Slimey’s here’s too. Wow, it is Christmas now |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I don’t know that I have a favorite Christmas song. It depends on my mood I guess. |
| Elf Slimey C | Im so excited, really starting to feel like christmas now! |
| Elf Max | I like your radio show, Crash. |
| Elf Crusader | Crash, did you ever record that podcast I did with other trackers? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Thanks, Maxy |
| Elf Ulan | Me too! |
| Elf Buddy Frost | My favorite is “That’s Christmas to Me” by Penetonix! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Elf Crusader, I owe you a BIG apology about that |
| Elf Crusader | I think Crash is a funny dude |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I’ve worked on that podcast here and there but things have gotten so busy I just totally blew it. |
| Elf Crusader | Hey, no problem. Just send me some elf eggnog and I’ll be good |
| Elf Crash Murphy | It’s totally my fault, Crusader. Don’t believe what Frank might tell you about it. Totally my fault |
| Hollytinsel234 | Mine too! |
| Elf Slimey C | no sweat, Ik its a busy time of year rn haha |
| Elf Lil Cream | What have we missed from the chat so far? anything we should know? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I’ve like Pentatonix since before they got crazy big. |
| Elf Crusader | I understand Crash. I’m not upset |
| Elf Max | I’ll post up the recap later, Lil Cream |
| Elf Crusader | Being sector lead is a big responsibility btw |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Well, I am upset. I’ve had that since June. But to be honest, Frank is a little cheesed at me too because I’ve not been able to do as many podcasts as he wants |
| Elf Ulan | Maybe I don’t know. I’ll try to listen! |
| Elf Crusader | Is Santa ever covered in soot from all the chimneys? |
| Elf Max | You’re all over the place, Crash. You shouldn’t feel bad |
| Hollytinsel234 | How many days until Christmas? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I could do a whole show of just Pentatonix. They come out with a new Christmas album like every five minutes |
| Elf Ulan | I agree too |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Crusader works hard on his podcast and I let him down. I do feel bad about that. Santa should only give me soggy cheerios for Christmas |
| Elf Crusader | I so wish that I could live up there at the pole |
| Elf Crash Murphy | You’re in Minnesota, Crusader. So you already know a lot about snow. How cold is it there now? |
| Elf Crusader | Would it help you to know that I am not upset with you crash? I think you’re an exceptional elf |
| Elf Buddy Frost | Don’t feel bad Crash! You’ve got so much on your plate it’s understandable! You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | You’re always so kind, Crusader. But I just blew that podcast. I need to find a way better than Elf Eggnog to make it up to you. |
| Elf Max | Lil Cream or Slimey – do you have a question for Crash? Our time is about up |
| Elf Crusader | Oh boy. Great question. It’s been snowing like heck these past two days. It is currently 15 degrees |
| Elf Crash Murphy | That’s some good North Pole training right there, Crusader |
| Elf Ulan | Verrry cold! |
| Elf Lil Cream | Nope! I’m just here to listen today, ill check with him tho |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Tell me, Crusader. With the cold and snow in Minnesota, do you guys have sleighs? |
| Elf Max | Wow, maybe we should schedule a chat for questions for Elf Crusader! |
| Hollytinsel234 | Does Santas sleigh have a snow maker on the bottom?? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Hahaha! Good idea Maxy |
| Elf Crusader | No. Not that I know of. But what I do know is that it makes driving difficult for those who operate vehicles |
| Elf Crash Murphy | No, Santa’s sleigh does not have a snowmaker |
| Elf Slimey C | im back! sorry i was outside looking at the frost. its 30 degrees where we are! |
| Elf Crusader | I’d be happy to do that Max. Just name the time and place and I would be glad to be interviewed. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | 30 degrees in California, Slimey? |
| Elf Slimey C | we’re out of town and it never usually gets this cold haha |
| Elf Max | Maybe we could have you show up some time on Christmas Eve, Crusader. That would be fun |
| Hollytinsel234 | Its 40° here |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Ok, Slimey. I thought that sounded a little chilly for your neighborhood. |
| Elf Slimey C | yeah near the China Peak area/ Fresno |
| Elf Slimey C | I love this weather |
| Elf Max | Crash, besides the pre-flight meetings you talked about, what else do you have to do to prepare for Santa’s launch? |
| Elf Crusader | Done max. I have free time. I can’t wait |
| Elf Lil Cream | yeah- at home its gonna be sunny for christmas :/ |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I know Fresno pretty good. It’s 30 degrees in Fresno? |
| Elf Lil Cream | yup! it gets pretty cold in the winter |
| Elf Ulan | Do we need a certificate to get into a sleigh? |
| Elf Crusader | Hey crash, quick question: how much do you know about the mayo clinic here in Rochester Minnesota? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Maxy, actually my week this week is fairly normal. I have a lot planned for news with Frank. Big week for that. Not sure if we’ll squeeze in a podcast. I have some tracker training to do in Flight Command. But other than that I just need to pack my lunchpail for the flight |
| Elf Crusader | It is a world renowned hospital. I wonder if Santa visits there. I think of all the sick children and patients who believe in him. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Yes, Elf Ulan. To even fly in a sleigh you have to be certified. It takes months to get that certification. |
| Hollytinsel234 | ‘@Elf Lil Cream: Thanks for liking my post! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | They Mayo Clinic in Rochester is world famous. Santa goes EVERY YEAR |
| Elf Ulan | Takes months, can I try it? ^^ |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Santa actually does a lot of hospitals all this week, Crusader. Part of why he’s not at the North Pole and doing all these meetings by Zoom or by phone |
| Elf Crusader | That’s great news! But he should be careful not to collide with the mayo one helicopter. They always fly that thing every day |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Elf Ulan. Sleigh Certification is a program that requires recommendation by your Elf Supervisor. And of course, that comes after taking about 18 months of flight school |
| Elf Crusader | Wait a minute, are you telling me that I could operate a sleigh? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Santa usually goes to the Mayo clinic by car (well, truck – Santa’s truck guy). Flying sleighs are reserved for Christmas Eve, Crusader |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Sure, any elf can become a sleigh pilot |
| Elf Lil Cream | Wow! Thats a lot of training! I’m working on my drivers licence right now, is the training similar (obviously more time tho for a sleigh |
| Elf Crusader | Whew! That is good news! So there’s a chance I might see him |
| Elf Crash Murphy | I’ve toyed with the idea. But the math is really hard. I am certified to fly in a sleigh, but my pilot certification is still a work in progress |
| Elf Ulan | Okay, I remember Elf Randi has it and it takes a lot of year’s till she can asks us ^^ |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Elf Lil Cream — you’re DRIVING? Where do the years go! |
| Elf Slimey C | 🙂 |
| Elf Crusader | How would I know it’s Santa and not some dude who looks like him? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Elf Crusader – ask him about the Elf Code. Santa knows it by heart in 17 different languages. |
| Elf Max | Ok guys, let’s wrap it up. |
| Hollytinsel234 | Bye! |
| Elf Max | Crash, thanks as always for all the extra insight today |
| Elf Crusader | Alright. If I see some person that looks like Santa, I’m going to ask the elf code. |
| Elf Lil Cream | Yeah! Thank you Crash |
| Elf Buddy Frost | Alright, it was great chatting with you all! Merry Christmas! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | My pleasure, Maxy. So good to see you too! |
| Elf Crusader | Bye crash. |
| Elf Lil Cream | Merry Christmas! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Merry Christmas everyone. If we get a chance to do another one of these this week I’ll be here! |
| Elf Slimey C | Thanks! Merry Christmas! |
| Elf Max | Ok, Crash. Just tell me when and I’ll open the doors |
| Elf Ulan | Wow, a lot! How about you control sleigh traffic? |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Deal. |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Oh I don’t control sleigh traffic. But I went to sleigh traffic controller school to understand more about what Flight Command does and what they need from me. That’s complex work |
| Hollytinsel234 | Merry Christmas!! |
| Elf Max | Merry Christmas everyone! |
| Elf Crash Murphy | Bye y’all |
| Elf Lil Cream | Bye! |
| Elf Ulan | Thank you, Crash, and Merry Christmas to everyone! |
Thank you for posting this recap; I’m sorry I missed the chat. Pentatonix is one of my favorite bands, so it’s awesome to hear that Elf Crash likes them too (and that radio show idea is brilliant)!
Thank you, Elf Max for the recap so fast! And I’m happy you came back here too. Thank you, Elf Crash for the chat. It was fun and very interesting! I didn’t know about the “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” is Pentatonix! Yes, I knew them. I listen to it on Kringle Radio and I love it too, lol. I’ll pay attention to what Elf Roger and our supervisor will ask us for reports after Santa Launching. I’ll prepare for the weather, checking some obstacles around here, etc. And I wish I could take the sleigh training someday like Elf Crash during living in this world, lol! Merry Christmas, and I hope Elf Max recover completely as soon as possible . ^^