The Weakly Update

I haven't written an update in a while, so I thought I had better give you an insight into what has been happening...

Smithers and Bummers…

The summer is upon us and Congress has left town faster than that crook Mica orders hairpieces.  We are busy preparing for both conventions, and it is expected that sometime when it doesn't make a damn bit of difference we will officially endorse a presidential candidate.  We are also preparing for the NATCA Convention, scheduled to be held at the Fontainebleau....no, make it the Diplomat....or was it the Elmogrover.....or the Pink Lagoon.....screw it, everybody meet by the pool at the Lauderdale Motel 6 and we'll figure it out from there.

Saul and I have been up on Capitol Hill wearing out shoe leather, flapping our gums, boxing the clown, spanking the monkey, wrestling with cheetah, slapping bologna, cracking the goalie and generally dorking around......Congress is out of town, remember?  We did manage to get a massive piece of legislation introduced---S3416, the Federal Aviation Administration Employee Retention Act---that will sink faster than my approval ratings and has zero chance of becoming law.  Even so, this type of effort makes our choice for president a black and white one.

High Five!!!  That wrinkled sack of shit Ted Stevens is indicted, and with prayers from the membership we hope he is Bubba's girlfriend before the next session of Congress.  Since Tedrick is already a hundred and two years old it is expected that he will be let free, since a "life" term doesn't work on dead people.  When his body catches up to his mind it's dirt nap time for Teddy.

Two years into the mission and damn, ain't those work rules a bitch?  The FAA's dismal labor problems are affecting the entire aviation industry as we continue lowing and slowing the airplanes, costing them precious fuel and time.  Tough tittie.  There's good news and bad news on the labor-management front with the FAA.  The good news is we have discovered that the FAA is a lying, cheating, conniving, surly, cheese-licking, butt-smoking band of liars, thieves and charlatans...and they have ugly spouses, too.  The BAD news is the previous president knew this when he left office, which means we've pissed away two years re-learning it.  Oh, well.....as Mike Robicheau of the New England Region once said, "I think it was a mistake.  Oh, well.  Shit happens."

I need to again hammer "The Blog."  I can't imagine why a person who loves the union so much would do that.  It is poison, vile, evil, sanctimonious, acrimonious, pusillanimous, and occasionally shit-stained.  I hate it with every fiber of my being.  By the way....does anybody have that rat bastard's email address?  I would like an advance copy of his blog to steal from so I can attempt to fulfill my representational duties. Bruce and Bobert will never catch on!  They think **I** talk like that!!!  And besides...I sure as hell don't want to wait like you peasants for the online copy.  (Memo to the General Counsel:  Please figure out a way to make this his fault too.)

As I was saying just a few months ago when last I gave you an update...a funny thing happens around election time.  I begin to fly to all the regional meetings to tell people how great things are and how awful some resolutions to help members are.  I bring the forgotten one (my EVP,) my General Counsel (for some official sounding harrumphing) and my newest employee, the bearded building guy to give me some much needed cover from whithering fire.  He's got more credibility than me anyway.  In fact, a Navajo bar-full of drunkards has more credibility than me.

I also want people to see my face to insure they know I am not holed up in a cave like Cheney or Bin Laden.  I've got more frequent flier miles than Neil Armstrong and he flew to the moon!!  I plan to leverage my leverage to build a bridge to cosponsor an amendment to move the Reauthorization to resurrect bipartisan language in conference with party politics that confound the leadership of the membership of the chain-gang whiz-bang ying-yang flip-a-doodle yaba-daba-doo.  Or maybe I'll build a teepee instead.  Or a pterodactyl.  Where's the bourbon?

The AFL-CIO that I condemned in all the debates when I ran for office has been instrumental in helping resurrect my frying bacon by making saving me a priority.  In fact, the entire Executive Council put Gene Upshaw in charge of intimidation tactics designed to frighten the FAA into bargaining with us.  Gene was dying to get the job.

Additionally I have carried Senator Reid's pencil set and Speaker Pilosi's bong, and I can testify that she should consider cleaning her screen.  It had a lot of gummy residue and isn't going to give a clean smoke.  I tasted it and I'm thinking maybe Maui Wowie or perhaps a nice Columbian sensimillia.  Being from Cali she must have some "medical need" for the pot.  I also noticed Mica was missing a few teeth, giving him the appearance of a beaver wearing a beaver on his head.  I offered to build him a dental "bridge" to fix his gap-toothed grin but he said the overbite makes it easier to snag apples on the other side of his neighbor's fence. 

NATCA was recently recognized by the Political Committee of the AFL-CIO.  In fact, the whole committee stood up and said, "Who the hell is the short guy with the ratty goatee?"  After introductions they recognized us. 

We have invited both male and female members to assist the AFL grassroots effort, and with boys and girls in the Puss-and-Boots-On-The-Ground program we feel confident that it is going to come down to one state on election night and the Republicans and their friends from Diebold are going to steal it again.

I also met with the president of TALCUM, GNATS, SKIPPY, GLOBE, and a few other neato organizations to discuss issues we have in common....like a mean-ass membership that is sick and tired of us.  Our Government Affairs Department has been busy.  One of our employees had an affair with John Edwards, and another one sparked and courted Heather Locklear.  One of them fathered J-Lo's baby and another might have winked lavisciously at Ashlee Simpson.  Or was that Hannah Montana?  I get those two confused.  Anyway...most of our employees are deployed to the battleground states, where they will interrupt their affairs to buy drinks for the crowd on their union credit cards, thinking that will make them some new friends.  It will, all right, but the "new friends" will be too drunk to remember them in the morning.

I had another meeting with the Obama campaign, where they once again said, "Say wha?"  When I told them I was the guy who-used-to-workie-da-plane they immediately grasped the importance of the meeting and promised me everything under the sun if I would hang a banner on the side of the building with a big picture of that senile bag of farts John McCain with a farm animal.  We are currently working on securing a McCain double for the photo shoot.  We hope to get permission to film at one of McCains' four, no eight, no make that eleven homes.

The FLRA has dismissed all our ULPs, the FAA has shitcanned all our grievances, the courts have slammed the door in our faces, and the FAA has won every single round of battle concerning the imposed pay and work rules.  But---I did just save a ton of money on my car insurance.

As a side note the National Executive Board has decided not to send anything out to the membership for ratification that does not meet our rigorous standards.  On another side note, we have decided that "union election ballots" next summer do NOT meet that high standard.  Thank you for the vote of confidence in our ability.

After six years of a Republican Congress and Republican White House without a communications policy we have decided, now that the Democrats are in charge, to stifle free speech and democratic principles on our bbs.  The new rules are kind of hard to follow, but they are roughly....no swearing, no cussing, no mean words about Congress, no mean words about the President (of NATCA...GWB is fair game,) no Spanish cuss words (pendejo,) no tickee no laundree, no mas, no sale and FOR GODS SAKE don't say Yes, No, Maybe, Please, Thank you, Who, What, When, Where, How, Why, Hello, Goodbye, Help, Police, Sick, Fire, I am, You are, He/She/They, Numbers 1-30, Time, space, Years/Months/Weeks/Days/Hours/Minutes, Money, Dollars/Cents, Sizes S/M/L/XL, integers, vowels, gunfire, oral fixations, genitalia, necrophelia, or Lipton's Easy Fix Seasoned Rice.

So---where do we go from here?  I'm going to go take a leak...typing makes my bladder swell.  After that I'm going to continue to lobby Congress to pass a rollback (like Wal-Mart rollback only without the smiley asshole and the union-busting and the community ruining and the welfare creating and the boatloads of cheap Chinese crap) of ratified, rarefied, sanctified and verified---with lemon freshened Borax---ah, hell, I forgot.  What was it we want?  Fam trips?  Early shoves?  Chow runs?  No wait, wait....it was shorts and flip flops.  Got it.  Wilco.

I will keep discussing issues with the FAA so that at some point in time, they might see the light and stop laughing so hard in our meetings.  They might correct this disparity, and monkeys might fly out my ass.  All members should assume the position (grab your ankles) and be prepared to lather up Congress, take nifty photos with the enemy Administrator and her hand picked henchmen, get quoted by FAAMA, and appear on the FAA's web site more often than our own. 

Our newest members are the doormat of the FAA, and we can't do a damn thing about it.  But on the bright side, eventually a big ol' fireball is going to rain bits of hair, teeth and femurs down on some poor kids barmitzvah, and for a brief and shining moment we will believe, "We matter!  The time is right!  Attack with everything we have!  Seize the moment!"  Then we will head up to FAA headquarters for another idiotic ATSAP beauty contest and picture shoot.  I urge all of you to get involved with your manager and take some snapshots; ask your FacRep what you can do to help get the film developed, and send those pictures straight to the nearest dumpster, because NOBODY CARES.

A perfect example of working not shirking, egggggregious hard labor pestonate dedication is exempligulfed by the latest decision of the FAA to NOT split the MIA ATCT/TRACON in January 2009. They have decided instead to move Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale into Miami, uprooting those controllers instead.  Heck, there might even be enough room for Orlando.  This is an example of something, I'm not sure what, and of course our national office staff has started a relentless effort to lay the blame at some retiree's feet and then cut off his means of response.  As I am fond of telling new hires, "Don't buy any green bananas.  I don't think you're going to be around long enough to eat them."

This is a major issue for the future; bananas is coming. It is recumbent on NATCA – crummy one-term wonders or the more glorious, tanned, handsome and flat-bellied two term heroes---to be cognizant of the ripening that are coming for the future, and be scared to address these issues on the front end when they know damn good and well they can just react to the agency. Take a break!  Someone else will do it.

There has been a lot of discussion on the BBS concerning the blog I stole from as it relates to a lawsuit.  The NEB believes there is a vigorous campaign to sway the membership (and delegates) to both defendants’ point of view on the facts surrounding this entire situation, which is absolutely correct, legal and proper.  Unfortunately, as more facts become known---including my own theft of intellectual capital---two members, Jimmy Ray and Mike in Denver--- have asked for an explanation by the NEB.  We will label those two "many." 

Since we have silenced the opposition on the BBS and they seem to be winning the lobbying war we believe that it is time that our membership pays a small fortune so we can send them illegal material that borders on an unfair labor practice to attempt to injure two of our members.  If that doesn't work we will bring our stone cold fox General Counsel to the convention so she can scare the living shit out of the delegates like she scared us.  In fact....several of us actually wet ourselves when she spoke.  I think someone might even have shit their pants, or dropped a serious trouser-bomb on the closed session.  It smelled worse than Marion's butt, and I should know:  I kissed it. 

Thank you for keeping the faith, getting resolved, and for bifurcating every zinjanthropus ever sent your way.  I trust you will see the wisdom in what I have to say and stand mute, which is why I have prevented you from ever commenting on my updates.  Nothing can go wrong.  Nothing can go wrong.  Nothing wan co gong.  Bang a gong.  Delta dawn.  Slide your pawn.    

You can expect to see this in the next week or two…me, on vacation.  Don't call us, we'll call you.

Comments

[shourded in secrects]

bravo

[PhilMc/Retired]

LMAO! The edge of humor can never be dulled.

[ABBF]

You left out, "Injustices in the workplace." I love that one.

[jeff martin]

"As for me...I plan to heed her advice, and unify NATCA against our common enemy. If I take an occasional sniper shot please call me on it, because my intent is to coalesce, not fracture. No more Pat this or NEB that"

[bong bong]

I want what you're smoking.

[Stranger Than Fiction]

jeff,

There comes a time when it becomes necessary to call out the "things ain't so bad" crowd. I'm sorry if you think that John can't keep his big keyboard shut for the good of the 10,000 of us that have already given up. Your livelihood has been threatened for the sake of earning a dollar if you are a controller, passenger or resident of a possible debris field. As long as this union has $1 left to spend, it should go to another arbitration win and not to "representatives" more concerned about paying for the pot they piss in and the turf they reign over.

Quit mitigating next year's days off, annual leave, and unqualified hires that are years away from aiding today's staffing problems. Sell the Krasner Building if you have to, heck I'm a part owner and I don't even merit a weekend in the Bellino Bedroom. But never, ever, criticize somebody for not being able to quietly watch a once proud profession be drug down to Marion's assessment of our being "glorified baggage handlers."

Sorry, needed to vent.

[An Army of One]

OMG! This was sooooo funny! Pat - you SUCK!

Patty's attempts to sway the delegates is pathetically transparent & insults the intelligence of the membership.

[lowskillset]

I heard Bobert was recently in OKC lecturing the newbies when one of them asked him what employment position in the FAA was comparable to ATCS for payroll comparison purposes. Bobert said that was protected information. Whew! Barely got away from that one.

John, your concerns about the future of Ted Stevens in prison are misplaced. Bubba isn't attracted to washed up 102 year-old senators.

[The social club called NATCA]

Funny but sad...

Natca may have integrity but as your update satirically demonstrated we don't have a clue or a prayer.

We can't even rent a few hotel rooms without a cluster (ummm rhymes with duck.)

I even take back the integrity compliment a Union would indemnify its brothers.

I will continue to pay dues if only to vote the incompetence out of office.

CLEAN SWEEP ...

It may be the only thing that saves us.

[Jeff's Tampon]

Jeff,

You cry at chick flicks don't you? Satire is for the educated, leaving you well out of the mix. John is right, and every one knows it. His only mistake so far has been calling Sturgel "dead man walking." That label belongs to Pat and anybody on the NEB who suuports him.

[72 more weeks]

I didn't believe a word of this update due to proper grammar and spelling. Then I saw "egggggregious" and knew it was really Pat. Thanks for keeping us informed.

[Big&Rich]

It'd be even funnier if it weren't true.

[cracy]

Quit whitewashing your opinions please....

retired 3/5/08

[ATOisOTS]

Pat,

With that kind of update, guess I won't have to get the Stooge to offer you a cushy position in the puzzle palace when you are voted out of office next summer, watch out Cable Guy, Jim Gaffigan, Lewis Black, and others.

Marion

[the orginal towerflower]

by the way.....Ft. Lauderdale has always been controlled by MIA.

[On the recieving end]

I have had several discussions with our delegate concerning “our” vote to support you and Bob. They assured me in front of witnesses that they would vote in favor of supporting our members. I hope they follow through.

[MikeyP]

Puss-and-Boots-On-The-Ground?

Stick and stones may break my bones.....

[sniggler]

On the receiving end,

I remember having discussions with my delegates prior to the Philly convention in 199?.
They still voted to raise our dues. Don't believe everything they say.

sniggler

[jeff martin]

Hey my tampon, I'm just quoting the man's own words. Credibility is a precious commodity. Once it's gone, you can't get it back.

[Got the T-shirt]

John,

Long time reader, first time commenter. This post was the balls. You are truely talented with the written word. Thanks for returning the blog. You express so well the frustration I felt (recently punched out) since the IWR's.

I was hired in early 82 and spent time in four different terminal facilities, 2 of which were level 5's. Also i am a charter NATCA member. Well ex-member I guess, or like the marines(once NATCA, always NATCA).

Most of the people in charge are either ex-controllers who didn't want the shift work etc. or ones who couldn't cut the mustard. In strong NATCA days they were kept in check at most facilities. In most cases they were either smart enough to not rock the boat or were actually good people and treated us fairly. Since the IWR's they are all forced to drink the kool-aid and disregard any natural ability to lead and motivate people.

I am having a blast this summer being away from it, and will never regret bailing, but I also feel for my brothers and sisters still trying to keep the ship afloat.

Anyway,, thanks for the blog John.

[John J. Tormey III, Esq.]

Quiet Rockland just blogged, posted, and published a hand-hewn list of over 1,200 FAA e-mail addresses on its websites – and asks that you please consider using them and testing them out for your own purposes:
http://ejectsturgell.blogspot.com
http://removesturgell.blogspot.com
http://indictsturgell.blogspot.com
http://SouthwestAirlinesAlmostKilledYou.blogspot.com

Probably about half of these e-mail addresses will work. Even some of the bounce-backs will likely give you useful information on successor e-mail addresses which you can add back in to your own copy of the list. After all, the rats continue to leave the sinking ship known as 800 Independence. The Quiet Rockland FAA e-mail list will be re-populated with the e-mail addresses of all known rat-successors.

I plan to augment and amend the list, as readers of this blog and other friends continue to forward me additional and updated FAA management e-mail addresses. My e-mail address is:
jtormey@optonline.net

I also plan to multiply-out various permutations of FAA personnel names on the list – e.g., ‘Bob’, ‘Robert’, and ‘Bobby’ - ‘Henry’ and ‘Hank’ - middle initials - contractor ‘.CTR’ designations - etcetera. After each gets canned, I’ll simply delete the corresponding entry or entries. On that note, I left Dan “Elver” Elwell on the list for old times' sake, as a testament to his failure to effect FAA Reauthorization, and as a warning to all elvers like him.

The FAA’s e-mail address formula is fairly simple, as you will see on the list.

The ‘minds’ of FAA management, are even simpler.

FAA wants America to celebrate FAA’s 50th Anniversary. FAA and its failed Acting Administrator ‘Bobby’ Sturgell still persist in wanting you to believe that we are somehow in the ‘safest period in aviation history’. As within the last 24 hours, there are Ten (10) more dead people in Moab, Utah whose souls will now testify to you exactly otherwise. Anyone who is outraged like me at the continuing criminal malfeasance of the Failed Aviation Agency, may consider voicing that outrage directly to the people that comprise that white-collar criminal ersatz federal agency acronymed as FAA. E-mail provides a wonderful voice. 1,200 e-mails is a veritable chorus and choir.

The FAA’s Information Technology goons may think that they have blocked all incoming e-mail from MY I.P. address, but the same FAA I.T. goons cannot block the entirety of all incoming electronic communications - anonymous or name-I.D.’d - from all ATCs and all citizens. Besides, ‘they’ don’t own the ‘.gov’ e-mail addresses, the servers, and the ‘.gov’ extension - WE THE PEOPLE DO. And while the FAA may have hijacked decency and the public safety for a few years, one other thing the FAA NEVER hijacked from us, was the First Amendment. As long as the contents of those outgoing e-mails are otherwise lawful, they are protected by the First Amendment. Moreover, they are necessary, out of respect for the innocent and deceased in Moab - and out of respect for those potential future decedent passengers, pilots, and others whom it’s now time to rescue, by doing every single thing further and lawfully possible to repopulate FAA management immediately.

You’ve got 1,200 FAA e-mail addresses, and you can probably come up with a lot more, and fill me in, yourselves armed with the names and the formulae.

Tell the FAA, ‘Happy 50th Anniversary’.

Tell FAA management that they SUCK.

And if you want, tell them that Quiet Rockland sent you.

Respectfully,

John J. Tormey III, Esq.
Quiet Rockland

[Myrtle]

The entire entry is informative, but in regards to the comments made and left about the convention in Miami... how can a hotel cancelling the contract with NATCA be construed as a "cluster ____"? I don't consider reservations for a few thousand people to be "a few rooms". I am curious how THAT got turned around to make NATCA the scapegoat? I am amazed, and quite impressed, that with one month to go, the union was able to obtain ANY hotel space for the members at all. Just my 2 cents.

[Please continue....]

Okay....

The poor NATCA people have just been picked on. They are not a SOCIAL CLUB but an extremely organized UNION with superior LEADERSHIP and it is just bad luck that they can't get a VALID CONTRACT for the controllers or for some HOTEL rooms in FL.

But when the crap hits the fan they can change the dues structure without a vote. (dues rebates for B scale controllers) and secure some (other) HOTEL rooms in FL on short notice.

Thank goodness it is HURRICANE season in FL. and other hotel rooms are vacant. That was NATCA genius I am sure.

I can see your point. Lets wear down FAA management by taking a bunch of pictures with us making agreements that appease them while we claim to be under IWR administered by jackboot thugs.

Maybe we can show them it's OKAY to fire union reps. Then let them sue a few guys we don't like. I am sure they will know we are a force to be recon with then. A strongly worded letter from some congressman "on the take" (oops.... Who is supported by PAC funds) should make them quiver. Especially when we have proven we will let our own brothers go down in flames alone. TRUMP CARD>>>...Let's support OBAMA 6 mos too late even though he stuck his political neck out for us early in the game.

I am thankful to be able to pay dues. GENIUS at work I tell ya Genius at work.

Good point.... Myrtle

[One of the Lucky Few]

Hi John

OK, I can understand you bashing the current NATCA leadership for their inability to get a bill through Congress and the Senate that would turn back the clock and restore the Green Book.

What I cannot understand is your inability to give us your solution to the problem. Exactly how would you have handled the current situation. How would you have forced Congress and the Senate to introduce and pass a bill that restores what is rightfully ours.

If memory serves me right this same legislative body did nothing when Maid Marion sent the Contract issue to them. What these elected officials did was to sit on their butts and allow the most grievous affront to labor, I've ever seen, just happen. No our elected officials did not call out in outrage and say NO NO NO we will not allow an agency that clearly has no intent on bargaining in good faith to impose their will on hard working employees.

So John, how would you solved this issue. Basically, the outcome in the House of Representatives would have been the same (after all they were a Republican majority). So they were hell bent on giving Maid Marion her Imposed Work Rules.

Instead of bashing the current NATCA leadership give us your solutions. Tell us how you would have forced Congress and the Senate to pass a bill restoring our rights.

I'm not saying I agree with the current NATCA leadership and their handling of the Imposed Work Rules. However, I don't see what else they can do to get our elected representatives to act on this issue.

Maybe you have the answer. If so please enlighten us on what your solution would have been and exactly how it would have played out.

I believe the words of John Adams regarding congress still ring true today.

"I have come to the conclusion, that one useless man is a Disgrace, two are a law firm and three or more are called a Congress."--John Adams, "1776"

[and the band..played... on........]

To "One of the Lucky Few"

What these elected officials did was to sit on their butts and allow the most grievous affront to labor, I've ever seen, just happen.

HUH?

I am guessing that you must be at least 21 years old. How
pitiful that you have absolutely no knowledge of labor history.

[One of the Lucky Few]

To and the band played on.

Yes, I do have knowledge of labor history. I could go on and on about unfair and grievous affronts to labor. PATCO, ILGWU,Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, NYC Police Officer Strike of 1971(personal knowledge of that one Dad went out on strike and family lost money) Grandmother told she would be fired if she joined a Union (she joined anyway). So yes I do have a knowledge of labor issues.

My point, if you took the time to think about it, is what was done was grievous. Other Unions have the right to arbitration when they are unable to reach an agreement with regard to their Contract. Sadly that right was taken away from NATCA by Congress. Oh and if memory serves me right that was under Johnny the Bulls watch too.

So my question still is What would John have done to make this all go away. How would he have forced Congress and the Senate to pass legislation to reverse the Imposed Work Rules and bring us back to the Green Book and the bargaining table.

I know my post will not be a popular one among John supporters. But I really want to know what his plan would have been to reverse the Work Rules.

[One of the Lucky Few]

To and the band played on.

Yes, I do have knowledge of labor history. I could go on and on about unfair and grievous affronts to labor. PATCO, ILGWU,Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, NYC Police Officer Strike of 1971(personal knowledge of that one Dad went out on strike and family lost money) Grandmother told she would be fired if she joined a Union (she joined anyway). So yes I do have a knowledge of labor issues.

My point, if you took the time to think about it, is what was done was grievous. Other Unions have the right to arbitration when they are unable to reach an agreement with regard to their Contract. Sadly that right was taken away from NATCA by Congress. Oh and if memory serves me right that was under Johnny the Bulls watch too.

So my question still is What would John have done to make this all go away. How would he have forced Congress and the Senate to pass legislation to reverse the Imposed Work Rules and bring us back to the Green Book and the bargaining table.

I know my post will not be a popular one among John supporters. But I really want to know what his plan would have been to reverse the Work Rules.

[John Carr]

Lucky-

"What I would have done differently" is a LOT.

Now, do you get to hear it? Not unless I decide to share it with you. Any absolute right to my opinion expired on September 1, 2006. That opportunity passed with the torch I handed over to the current NATCA leadership, and it is up to them to stand on their own clay feet and do their best.

But I can assure you---you wouldn't have seen me collaborating with the enemy, throwing them a lifeline photo op when they were drowning, standing mute when the chance for retirement leadership was in their laps, and letting them off the hook in Lexington. I wouldn't have rubbed their thighs in Congress instead of blowing their shit up, and I wouldn't be signing useless crap MOUs with them, not a single one. And I would show leadership where it counts: in their field, not cowering behind the General Counsels desk. That's just to name a few. I could go on and on and on, but like I said: My opinions are sought after and paid for by many. I don't see your cash, so you don't get my expertise unless I decide to gift it to you. Sorry, son.

And one other thing---

You historical recitation is wrong. Congress enacted changes to the FAA's PMS and Title V in the fall of 1996 and again in on April 1, 1997 via continuing resolution. Funny date in retrospect. I was a controller at Chicago O'Hare at the time and I had nothing, I repeat NOTHING to do with those changes.

Apparently your memory DOESN'T "serve you right." Again...imagine my surprise.

XXXOOO,

JTB

[And the band...played...on....]

Dear "One of the Lucky Few"

What a perfect signature for one who is so knowledgeable of all things Union. Imagine having 'personal knowledge' of someone who went on strike and lost money! (wow, you've sure endured some hard times) One can read many things into one who considers him/herself as "One of the Lucky Few". (Pause) I wonder if you would consider yourself quite so "lucky" had it not been for NATCA or PATCO. Despite your obvious giveaway, please allow me to respond, (due to the continuing generousity of Mr. Carr) by providing this forum.

Friend...maybe it's just semantics. What may indeed be 'grievous' to you, could merely be 'another day at work' to others. Did you receive an unfair suspension, were you given an undeserved LWOP, were you intimidated and threatened with removal or 'psychological counseling'? Were you terminated or sued for statements you allegedly made, true or not? Have you lost your car, your house, or your spouse due to these 'grievous" actions? These are all things that I would call 'grievous'. (another pause)

So my answer is yes, I did take the time to think about it. I thought way back to the Molly McGuires, to my first Union membership in 1962 (see, you were right, I am 'just an old fart') and the fact that I've been paying dues ever since, even though I retired long ago. In case you missed it somewhere along the way, it's called Brotherhood. Something that John Carr demonstrates on a continuous basis and that I have observed so many times during the past while reading his blog. John did not, and does not, continue to to expend so much effort for his own ego. He's way past that.(well...maybe a little)I am continuously awed by his contributions and efforts on the behalf of others, a true barometer of his humanity.

I'm not a JTB loyalist nor have I ever been a NATCA member; I'm just an interested observer who was made aware of this site by a relative. I continue to read, with constant amazement, posts from others who think of themselves as Union simply because they pay Union dues. Does owning an airplane make one a pilot?

It was the Administration and Congress that forced your union into a corner. When "The Blakester' first made the statement about getting controller wages in line with other FAA employess, it was already a 'done deal'. As stated here previously, no Government manager is comfortable having employees compensated at a higher level than him/herself. As you have witnessed, they will do everything in their power to
regain their financial superiority.

And you ask, "what would John have done"? Did you expect John to 'go postal?' Mr. Carr and his team were sandbagged from the git-go, and if you don't have a UNION that is strong enough to stand up for its rights, you will continue to get exactly what you got. There's the history. Again, it's called UNION.

You've read it before and it's tiresome to try to explain to some folks, that not everyone is everything to all people.

If I see someone about to jump from a bridge in a suicidal attempt I have the right to try to stop them. I don't have to be a law enforcement officer, an EMT, or such. If I come upon someone bleeding as the result of an accident, it's not necessary for me to be a Dr to try to stop the blood flow and lend assistance.

Likewise, when someone observes something that is dangerous or potentially threatening to him/herself or others, it is not necessary to have the perfect solution or even be a professional. Our freedom of speech allows us to call out a warning or(offer advice) that could resolve the situation. We don't have to have a personal solution, but we have the RIGHT to make others aware of the circumstances.

Have you ever been working a crossword puzzle, been stumped,
and then have a couple of others join you? You soon realize that additional experience and education combined with other perspectives enable you to swiftly complete a difficult problem. And so it is.

As controllers, you should be aware that you earn more than 92% of the taxpayers in this country. When you look to Congress for help with your 'grievous' situation, try to consider the voters that your representatives have to answer to. Try telling them that you have to wear a 'shirt with a collar' to work and see how much sympathy you get. Grievous, indeed!

[One of the Lucky Few]

John

I've always appreciated your openness and wiliness to engage in debate. Thanks for the reply. I stand corrected on the
Title V issue

[John Carr]

Lucky,

You're welcome. That's why I'm here instead of across the street, on the beach.

And the band,

Would you like to write a guest column? :-)

XXXOOO,

JTB

[ZZ-Retired]

And the band played on,

You have hit the nail right on the head BROTHER. There are only a few hundred controllers,at best, currently on the boards that know what a UNION is. That is why the FAA has them by the balls.
Most think that paying dues and PAC money allows them the HONOR of calling themselves a Union brother. We know better. Some of those very same people voted for BUSH TWICE and will vote for McCain. They have no idea what a real UNION is.
Thanks for your upfont and candid response to lucky

[JustaCog]

The band, Lucky, ZZ-Retired and JTB,

Is this the union solidarity you are selling?

"That opportunity passed with the torch I handed over to the current NATCA leadership, and it is up to them to stand on their own clay feet and do their best. " -JTB

[John Carr]

Cog,

What makes you think I am selling anything? If I was, you would see advertisements all over this site...and don't think I haven't been offered.

I'm not selling anything. I am making you think and respond. And as GWB would say, "Mission Accomplished."

XXXOOO,

JTB

[One of the Lucky Few]

Dear And the Band Played On:

Yes, I am one of the Lucky ones. Yes, I am supportive of and I am a member of NATCA, (unlike you) I am also a NATCA facility VP at the local level. So no I am not one of those who consider myself Union simply because I pay dues. I am involved. No, I have never received an unfair suspension, LWOP, etc. However, I have defended those who did. I've fought for the rights of my employees and spent many hours filing grievances, ULP, etc. What have you or did you ever do for your Union.

I have no argument with John or his humanitarian efforts. I will be the first to say that John is one of the first to step in and offer help to those in need.

Yes, I am well aware it was the Administration and Congress that forced the Union into a corner. I am well aware of the Wicked Witch and her intent to get Controller salaries in line with other employees.

You say that John would not have gone "postal" (only John can answer that). You say that John and his team were sandbagged from the git-go. I agree, they were put into a situation that made it impossible to bargain in good faith. The Agency held all the card.

So I'll retract grievous and say their actions were tyrannical. In case you don't know the process is called collective bargaining. The agency, holding all the cards, never had any intent to bargain. They knew the Union did not have the right to arbitration if an agreement could not be reached and that Congress would not act when the matter was brought to them.

Yes, I am aware that earning the salary I earn does not endear me to the rest of the working world. I am also aware the Congress must answer to it's constituency.

I want to thank you for helping me making my point with all you've stated.

My original question was. How would John have resolved our current situation. As you've said the Union and it's people were sandbagged. Congress refuses to help. So how could John have solved the problem. His hands would also have been tied. Yet, John continues to belittle Unions current leadership (and no I'm no big fan of NATCA's current leadership. I never agreed they should have made nice with the FAA). Is the belittling of Union brothers and sisters "Brotherhood" as you like to say that's what UNION is about BROTHERHOOD. (sorry John wasn't meant for you just making a point. I support your right to say whatever you want)

I agree yes, we do have a right to free speech and to warn others of the dangers ahead. However, I think there are times when John wants his readers to think he has the magic solution to bring back the Green Book. Sadly, as we all know, in the current political environment that's not likely to happen.

So once again thank you for helping me make my point.

[flyingfortress]

Moron. No wonder they want to crush the union.

[as I see it..]

And then the 'activist' facility VP replies... "I've fought for the rights of my employees"

Ya' jest blew yer hand partner....no wonder NATCA is in the shape it's in today. Ho hum.....

[One of the Lucky Few]

To As I see it.

I continue the fight for my bargaining unit members everyday. If by using the past tense you thought my fighting days are over then guess again.

Sorry if you were confused. The fight will continue. There is nothing this agency can do (and believe me they've tried) that will intimidate me or cause me to capitulate. Unlike management RATS who run for cover when one of their own are in trouble, I will always stand by and if necessary in front of my bargaining unit members to protect them from the vicious attacks of management.

Does this make my position perfectly clear.