Originally Posted by Hacker15e

Here's what they do at UAL:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/1496757-post42.html

Originally Posted by guppyflyer

The tradition of the eight ball is supposed to have been started by Bill “Deacon” Yantiss and Dave Ringwalt. Several years ago (early 90's I believe), the junior man in the class was given the classic (child's fortune telling toy) "8ball" to protect with his/her life. You see....the 8ball had all the answers.... (indoc exams etc) although no manager ever really *knew* that. The 8ball ceremony was used as an ice breaker of sorts and to get the class to relax a bit during the torturous weeks ahead as new hires. The 8ball had to go everywhere with the junior man and was occasionally taken for ransom (ransom paid was usually form of a pizza party). In most cases, it was easier to let it get stolen, pay the ransom, than trying to keep it in your sight the entire time. As legend goes, a US Marine who was the ball thought it not fitting that at the world’s largest airline he had to carry such a small kid’s toy. It was this Marine who started the bowling ball. This group took it very seriously though and even bought a bowling bag (to house the answers). The original 8ball lives in the Doubletree Hotel across from TK. The current ball was procured by a 2/00 LUAL guy to make sure the tradition continued in the merged company. Both balls were brought out this week to celebrate the return of the ceremony to Denver.