Got The Flick, Part One
The term "get the flick" is better described by my friend Don Brown on his blog of the same name, and may I just say I HIGHLY recommend that you add Don's writings to your daily routine. Speaking of getting the flick, I have recently made the acquaintance of several young men who definitely have a flick-getting eye. From one of them, this:
"Mr. Carr,
I've been a long time reader of your Main Bang blog. As a student pilot considering flying or ATC as a career, your posts are what first introduced me to the problem of FAA mismanagement. I've gained enough interest to select the topic of the FAA's treatment of air traffic controllers and the air traffic system for a reasearch essay in my English class (I'm a high school junior).
Some of the actual politics and procedures taking place have been simplified a bit to be understood by a general audience, but I've tried to represent facts as best as possible and make my own conjectures based on those facts. A couple of your blog entries are cited in the essay, but other posts I've read from you also lead me to more sources that are included. The essay is attached in PDF form if you are interested and have the time to read it."
Well, read it I did, and if I was Josh Rosard's instructor I would give the young man an A+. Is his paper perfect? No, but it is thorough, insightful and clearly shows dynamic and critical thinking. His paper also does something else: Like The Main Bang, it tackles subjects from several different angles and maybe presents things which are sure to generate emotional discussion on both sides of the issue. I LOVE THAT! Here, then, is a student's take on the air traffic control system:
A+ from MC. Hi Gordan, what do you give it?
Posted by: Marcus Tomlin | May 30, 2007 at 05:42 AM
A+ from MC. Hi Gordan, what do you give it?
Posted by: Marcus Tomlin | May 30, 2007 at 05:43 AM
Looks like the kid did a great job.
He "gets it".
Too bad the glass house in DC still doesn't "get it".
Posted by: NO AGREEMENT | May 30, 2007 at 06:57 AM
People like Josh will write be writing history. From the looks of it, the FAA chapter will be very ugly....
Posted by: Dropkick | May 30, 2007 at 07:17 AM
This needs to be sent to news stations and congress to show that even future voters are seeing the failings of the government.
Posted by: ATCPOOKIE | May 30, 2007 at 08:33 AM
I'm sending the paper to my congressman.
Posted by: Hawk | May 30, 2007 at 08:34 AM
Friends,
If you like this kid's stuff you are going to love Part Two of "Got The Flick," airing this afternoon at one o'clock.
JTB
Posted by: John Carr | May 30, 2007 at 08:43 AM
Glad to see some of the sixteen year olds of this country get the flick.
Posted by: just a citizen | May 30, 2007 at 09:45 AM
Uhhh.... He's got more sense to run the FAA than most of the brain stems that are doing it!
Posted by: jamjets | May 30, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Forrey,
Hire the kid as your PR spokes person!
He said more in his report than your 8 months telling us
1. I went to the hill.
2 We spoke to those that would listen.
3. Keep the faith.
4. were all working hard for you and only the future looks bright.
Well, enough is enough, we out here in the field want results before your term ends.
Posted by: Pats working this issue also, yeah right. | May 30, 2007 at 10:15 AM
Mr. " Pats working this issue also, yeah right"...
Maid Marion is blatantly thumbing her nose at CONGRESS, you dumb@$$, what power do you think Pat has?
How about you quit denigrating our union president in public? It serves no purpose. We all know you wish JTB was still president, but, uhhh....things were tanking even while HE was president. I seriously doubt JTB would be having any more success.
You are acting immature and are making the REST of us look bad. I'm tired of reading it, and infighting isn't what we need.
'Rex'
Posted by: Rex Kramer | May 30, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Passive attention is a lot less productive then active aggression and constant incessant pressure. Mr. Forrey is just a spectator on the side lines like the rest of us right now. It's pretty sad when the plate has been empty for so long and the one we elected to step up to it just wants to look at it and admire it.
Truth passes through three phases first it is violently opposed then it is ridiculed, finally it becomes self evident.
Posted by: just a citizen | May 30, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Amen, just a citizen. Amen!
Posted by: JustUser | May 30, 2007 at 12:03 PM
I would really like to jump on the bandwagon and speak about Mr. Forrey also; however he is not the union, we are. I know everyone in 1981 got fired, but they at least stuck together. I don't know what good it would do but I wish we were just a little more militant then dressing up.
Posted by: rc | May 30, 2007 at 02:05 PM
REX,
Screw you .
I am entitled to my opinion. Thats about all my dues pays for at this point.
Lord forbid I express it on the BBS.
Yes I am a JTB fan. Looks like you are to or you wouldn't be reading his blog.
I am not the only dis-satisfied union member.
You don't know what or were we would be if JTB was still office. But I can say is that he would be a pitbull 24/7 then a quite poodle.
Can't wait to change the
by-laws in Miami to vote retired ex-presidents back into office.
Go back and run strips now.
Posted by: Pats working this issue also, yeah right. | May 30, 2007 at 05:56 PM
Hey Michael...
It's 'too', not 'to'.
It's 'dissatisfied', not 'dis-satisfied'.
It's 'where', not 'were'.
It's 'quiet', not 'quite'.
You make us ALL look bad, Michael. Why not pull a Full Monty and call Pat a "&@$$" in public? Name calling and bad grammar...the hallmarks of a small mind.
And for what it's worth, Michael, I've got over 20 years in the FAA, and every single one of them in level 5 facilities, so unless you've got the same credentials, keep your 'go back and run strips' comments to yourself.
Jim Hamilton
Posted by: Jim Hamilton | May 30, 2007 at 07:46 PM
Great paper written. Hopefully this will spread to many and a change will be seen. I believe the younger generation will aid in promoting change.
Posted by: MG | May 30, 2007 at 08:51 PM
Brothers,
I understand your frustration level is very high. I also understand that this is not the proper PUBLIC forum to be showing infighting amongst ourselves. Anyone can read this blog. We must stand UNITED! Just my humble opinion. Thanks for letting me express it here.
P.S. A+ on the paper! Good Job!
Posted by: Just Shoot Me | May 30, 2007 at 09:41 PM
C'mon guys...this is exactly the kind of discord the FAA management drones want to see....(I know!! I used to be one!!). I could go on and on about the Telecons Brucie used to conduct back when he was AGL-501, but there was a definite culture which that current management group looked upon with glee; if there was enough discord within the B.U.M. ranks, then we (management) could sit back and enjoy the show, and take the "focus" off of "us". Oh Thank God, I'm retired! Remember y'all "United we stand, divided we fall"!!
Posted by: AT Pawn | May 30, 2007 at 09:45 PM