First off,
Thank you all for the warm welcome. I really do appreciate it. Save 708 is an America West Reference so if some of you don't know, 708AW was the oldest 737-100 aircraft still used as a Amercian airliner. (AWA) I used the name because it hits the roots of some of the ol' timer AWA guys that remember the good ol' days.
I only used a reference to Eastie and Westie because this airline seems so segregated. We all have needs and wants but until we act as one we will remain, "easties vs. westies". This is unfortunate because we all have the same goals under one roof. The ultimate goal is to support ourselves and our families. If we continue to battle on different sides of the fence, nothing will get done. Nothing! The IAM has shown their ability to be worthless and the company has done even less. I like to quote the X Ceo of continental whom used to be a mechanic. He stated that he was best for the company because he knew the "nuts and bolts" of it. If you have never worked a quick turn in 100+ degree heat loading and unloading aircraft, you have NO voice or opinion in this matter. We need to find a common ground amongst all of us workers to get this ship in order. No one is going to help us. Forget the union, forget Parker, we need to take a mind-set that they are fighting for ourselves now. Not against ourselves. We have the power to make this happen but it seems that our reps have lost sight of the big picture. It's time to remind them of where their pay comes from. It's time for action! This goes with what I was addressing earlier. We need to get on the same page. I know that as a "west" employee, I will have to give stuff up to join the east. So be it! Same goes for you guys out East. We can fight to get it back, together. I have benefits to lose and money to gain with a T/A and it is a trade off, but until it is done we will never be truely united, and we will never accomplish anything. I have a mindset of angst because I feel the longer we bicker over the small things, the more time our management has time to plan on how to take away the big things. With recent excuses from IAM about the company, I am not sure that they will prevent this from happening. Time to unite! Time to make sacrifices for each other and the better good of all. It is our responsibility to make this a better industry for all. We can make "our" company the industry standard. We can make ourselves the employees for all to emulate. Why not? Are we not the best at what we do? Do you not feel that you are all that you can be? Lets turn this ship around for us! Lets make this a better workplace, for us. I am only one man but I will do my part. Will you?
before you even.
