Happy Thanksgivin'.
HAPPY THANKSGIVIN'.
Hey everyone, your friend the Ol' Gardner be writin' to y'all again.
Goodness, gracious, fall be halfway gone and winter just 'round the
bend. There be such good times ahead with the holiday season fast
a'comin'. But there's also much to do 'afore the cold really sets in.
Meanwhile, my family'n me lookin' forward to Thanksgivin' and sittin' down
with friends and neighbors to share in the bounty and good fortune we
country folk lucky 'nough to enjoy 'round these parts.
The pilot what moved in down the road a'piece was plannin' on comin'
over for turkey dinner as my guest. We had some real good down home
cookin' in store for him'n his family. But, last time I seen him he tells
me the bosses done "realigned" his schedule 'cause they up and decided
to change the way they gives out vacations at this here outfit y'all
flys for. Now they wants him workin' over Thanksgivin' and he ain't able
to come by for the delicious country feast we was gonna serve him. He
says he be gone Christmas and New Years, too. He be a mighty unhappy
fella, that's for sure.
As bad as it be for him, his wife and young'ns not likin' it much,
neither. They says he away from home workin' too many days and nites and
gettin' paid way too little for bein' gone so much. Looks to me like
bein' a pilot flyin' these little jets ain't too good for family life.
But the pilot tells me the flyers at that there rival NetJets outfit
down Columbus way have it so much better. They away from home less and
gets much better choices for when they works and when they be home. They
plans quite regular on bein' with their families for holidays and
birthdays and other important times. And their bosses can't monkey 'round
none with their schedules and vacations, neither. Seems like they gots
'emselves a contract with their bosses and y'all still workin' on
gettin' one with yours.
As I says before, I been helpin' flyers out for many a'year at lots'a
airlines and I knows just how important a contract be in changin' a
pilot's life from insecurity to one where he and his family prospers. I
hear tell the NetJets pilots gots 'emselves a new contract a couple'a
years back and they fixin' to vote on changin' it a bit still. Seems like
their bosses agreed on sharin' more'a the harvest with pilots workin'
for that outfit. I been told their new contract pays wages that'll
brings tears to the eyes of y'all. If'n y'can believe it, a NetJets
co-pilot makes as much or more'n a Captain at your outfit. I knows I'm just
a simple country boy, but somethin' seems mighty wrong with that there
picture.
My pilot friend says for one reason or 'nother, lots'a pilots been
leavin' your outfit and findin' better jobs elsewhere. Some goin' to
NetJets, some goin' to the big airlines, some just goin'. I hear tell they
sure seem glad, like they done escaped from jail. My ol' Pappy always
cautioned me again' thinkin' the grass be greener on the other side'a
the fence. But, in y'all's case it just might be as right as rain. So,
y'can either quit your outfit and leave, or stay and join with your
Brothers and Sisters in your Union and fight to make things better. I
always did like a good fight, 'specially when it be with a bully. I
knows we can whip your bully bosses, if'n y'follows my advice real close
and uses common sense.
I been told the bosses wants pilots flyin' "overtime" to help pick up
the slack 'cause so many'a your fellow aviators been leavin'. They
want's overtime, but ain't gonna pay premium wages for y'doin' it. I hear
tell some pilots gots no choice 'cause the bosses forced overtime on
'em this month but ain't payin' 'em for it till 'round Thanksgivin' time
next year, if'n at all. The bosses calls this workin' over the "seam"
that the vacation "realignment" done caused. What in tarnation is this
here "seam" but the bosses' way'a doin' another "seamy" thing to
y'all? Forced overtime with no extra pay makes a body sickly just thinkin'
'bout how wrong that be, 'specially durin' cold'n flu season. No, sir,
if'n it be me they askin for help, I'd've withdrawn my 'thusiasm for
doin' extra chores long ago and I'd for sure not be flyin' no overtime
at all. I knows y'all smart 'nough to figure out how to avoid doin' it.
Y'know, if'n I wasn't so well bred, I'd be spoutin' lots'a four-letter
words at the bosses 'bout the mean ways they be treatin' y'all. But, I
ain't gonna jump into their dung heap with 'em and I doesn't want to
see y'doin' it none, neither. Besides, I been told the bosses doesn't
like it much when they hear such kind'a loud complainin', even if'n it
be truly understandable. They gots it in their heads that pilots and
other folks what works for your outfit should take abuse without yellin'
too much 'bout it. The bosses says it be again' what they calls their
"five non-negotiables" to speak your mind freely and they be callin'
pilots in on "CGF-1 Arrivals" if'n they think ya be doin' it.
When I was up north at the Cuyahoga County spread, I seen posters
nailed on the walls talkin' bout these here five rules and other stuff the
bosses be wantin' workin' folks mindful 'bout. Some posters loaded with
fancy words callin' workers "team members." If'n I hadn't seen it
with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears just how bad it be workin'
for your outfit, 'specially if'n ya be a pilot, I might'a believed what
these posters be sayin'. But after spendin' time 'round that big
office, such foolishness begun ticklin' my funny bone, 'specially the
"team" thing. I can't stop chucklin' at the bosses thinkin' anyone with a
lick'a sense what's been 'round this place for more'n a few months would
fall for such a pile'a manure. It sure didn't take this country boy
long to figure it out. From what I seen, the average workin' folks at
your outfit gots to follow these five rules, but the bosses doesn't have
to follow 'em their ownselves. They just does what they please with
no more nevermind. I done figured out they have their own rules and
their own team and y'all ain't on it. Not by a country mile, y'aint!
Anyways, seems like your outfit doesn't have nearly 'nough pilots
stayin' on to fly all the rich folks what wants to go flittin' round the
country over the holidays and winter season. I been told these folks
headin' to expensive places with their families to sit on some exotic beach
or slide down some snow covered hill on skiis or some other such
pleasure. Now, me, I doesn't like the cold much. If'n I had my druthers, I
be sittin' on that there beach sippin' homebrew from a Mason jar.
Besides, I once tied a couple'a barrel staves to my feet when I was a
young'n and tried slidin' down a hill out back after a snowstorm. I didn't
like fallin' down too much back then and for sure I wouldn't like it
one bit more now that I be older. My brittle ol' bones just ain't as
strong as they once was, don't y'know.
Like I says before, I knows your harvest time is fast a'comin'. But
not without y'all jumpin' in harness and pullin' the plow together.
Y'can't be pullin' the plow if'n y'ain't part'a the Union and payin' your
dues. Y'ain't helpin' no one but your ungrateful bosses if'n ya be out
flyin' overtime, 'specially when y'doesn't have to. And y'can't be
with your family if'n ya be flyin' rich folks 'round the country to be
with theirs. I hear tell y'even fly some'a your bosses and their families
'round 'bout. Guess they be rich too. If'n so, they be gettin' rich
off'n your backs'n your labors'n your sweat'n your hard work. Truth be
told, the bosses doesn't produce a single thing can be sold to no one.
They be like slimy leeches in my pond, suckin' life's blood out'a
others they attach 'emselves to. It be y'all whats gots the pilots'
licenses and knowledge and skills what brings the final product into the
market. And y'does it for your bosses without proper respect, value and
compensation. That's gots to change!
I think it be way past time y'all be askin' what each and every one'a
y'can do to help make that change. Y'already knows some'a the things to
do. But, there be more. Last time I write I talked 'bout lists the
bosses gives y'all to check out your flyin' machines and make sure they
ain't broke. I been workin' up some lists'a my own and things y'can do
to help better bring in the harvest. They be simple and easy to
follow and I be sharin' 'em with y'all real soon. Until the list be
finished, just remember these few easy tips: Do your job, but no one else's;
follow all the rules; don't fly broke planes and be sure to write 'bout
'em in the 501 page books when and where they be found broke; don't fly
sickly; don't fly tired; don't fly hungry; and for sure, don't fly
overtime. If'n y'follow this short list and doesn't waiver none, not only
will it help y'all stay healthy'n safe, but you'll be pleased how fast
the harvest'll come in.
Come Thanksgivin' day, be thankful to be alive and livin' in the good
'ol U.S. of A. Be extra thankful for our brave troops what be fightin'
and sacrificin' in foreign lands to protect our way of life here at
home. Be thankful for your Union and all the good things it be doin' to
help protect y'all and gets ya a good contract like your NetJets
Brothers and Sisters done gots. Be thankful for your fellow pilots what be
standin' tall as officers and committee folks in your Union. Be thankful
in knowin' that with your help'n support'n fightin' spirit'n
sacrifices, you, too, will have a proper contract some day soon. Remember
to
spread the word the Ol' Gardner out workin' the fields at Flight Options.
I be thankful just to be helpin' y'all out. The harvest—it be
comin'.
Happy Thanksgivin' from your friend,
THE OL' GARDNER
ARE YOU A HAPPY PILOT?
HAPPY PILOTS MAKE THE SYSTEM WORK BY BENDING THE RULES,
and
PILOTS CAN LET THE SYSTEM FAIL BY FOLLOWING THE RULES.
NO HEROES NEEDED, JUST DO YOUR JOB.
Y'ALL BE VERY CAREFUL OUT THERE!