Thanks, But No Thanks

In the last few days I have fielded several emails and phone calls from supporters and friends, all asking pretty much the same things.  The variations go something like this:

"What role will you want to play if Ruth Marlin is elected President?"

"Are you going to take an appointment or get hired, like Barry Krasner?"

"When Ruth wins do you plan to move to DC, or try to get appointed to a position?"

In an effort to inform my dear advocates, as well as anybody else out there who is harboring the same fugitive thoughts, let me be perfectly clear:

I will not seek, nor will I accept a position, appointment, job, hire, consulting agreement, ambassadorship, berth, billet, function, profession, role, slot, spot, notion, orientation, seat, tenure, station or any other or posture of any type at any time with NATCA.  Ever.  Period.  No matter who is elected.

Before I explain myself, a picture (which is worth a thousand words:)

   

So first let's be practical:  If you think the tanned dude is going to leave the cracked dinosaur's egg ferris wheel to come to Washington and get that million-dollar barroom pallor the NATCA execs have you are coo-coo in the cabeza.  I could have posted a thousand pictures like this, each worth a thousand words.  That's a million reasons not to risk my health and my family's happiness again.  Sorry.

Secondarily, Ruth Marlin is perhaps the most capable person who has ever run for the NATCA Presidency.  The idea that she would need me brings a smile to my face.  Fly Us Safe?  Ruth.  Industry Summits?  Ruth.  Technical reports and industry white papers?  Ruth.  Doctorate in our interests?  Ruth.  Fiduciary responsibility?  Ruth.  "Avoid Delays" website?  Ruth.  And the list goes on.  Heck, she even writes better than me (and that pisses me off but she has the college chops for it so I let it slide.)  Ruth came up with so much cool shit during her tenure that two consecutive administrations---mine and the other guys---have both taken credit for her work!

Ruth will tap NATCA's vast talent pool and run perhaps the most homogeneous, inclusive administration this union has ever seen.  Ruth will call upon friends, enemies, frenemies and every sound mind and spirit to guide NATCA to her greatest hours.  And she will do it with class, style and gusto.   

Ruth and I are deep, profound friends for life.  We served during the war together.  I spent more time with Ruth and Adell than I did my own wife for six years.  She knows more about me than any living person save my wife.  I think our cycles even meshed.   

And she would probably tell you the same thing.

I have no doubt that Ruth will call upon previous NATCA officers, including the incumbents, for advice and counsel.  That's the kind of person Ruth is.  I have no doubt that Ruth will govern from the center, lead from the front, push from the rear, walk alongside, communicate second to none and tap the wealth of knowledge and experience this great union holds.

If Ruth calls me to get a temperature check or bounce something off of me or get a different perspective on an issue I will give her my unvarnished (imagine that) opinion.  Just like I would anybody.  I will hear her out and then she will return the favor.  She will sign off with something light and breezy.  I will squeeze in a quick "love ya" as the handset clicks and the line goes dead.

And that's it.

And that should be enough.  That's the way it is, and I am very, very happy about that.

 

Comments

[vectorstick]

Perhaps you would available for the post of FAA Administrator. You have to admit it would prove interesting. Just picture the pack of rats running for the exit! Speaking of which when will Obama announce the DOT post? enjoy your family and the weather while i battle the ice and snow on my journey to work, with the only thing to look forward to is what pray tell will the idiots do today.

[Al]

John,

This almost sounds like an endorsement.

Al

P.S. Me, too!

[less than gruntled]

Notice John did not say that he would not accept a job in the FAA. Maybe something up close under the administrator. Who currently does the HR for upper management anyway?

We could retitle it "Rat Exterminator" .

Wouldn't it be fun to hand out those pink slips JTB?

[TangoBravo]

John, I applaud you wanting to spend time with your kids. Due to full time work (and full time school) I rarely get to spend a lot of time with my kids, which I already regret and will regret more in the future, I'm sure. However, your common sense has to be called into question due to the outfit you are wearing.
Go Indians!

[John Carr]

Tango Bravo,

I hope you noticed Robbie in his Lebron James Cleveland Caveliers jersey!!!!

JTB

[squirrel]

Why would JTB give up all that for a real job? Hwe's got his retirement checks coming in, and his wife is out of the house about 40 hrs a week!! Next best thing to heaven!! ;-D

[squirrel]

No photo with the nanny?

[M Blakey]

I think we ALL want to see more nanny pics JTB! Do it! M Blakey

[M Blakey]

I think we ALL want to see more nanny pics JTB! Do it! M Blakey

[Mainiac]

When his kids are grown up and long gone he will treasure these moments and so will his kids, good move.

[Lockheed SUX!!!]

The kids don't hold you to a dress code, and by that age there should be no crap on the walls!!!

KIDS>FAA (plus they are more mature)

[TangoBravo]

All right John, the LeBron outfit (go Cavs, the only thing us Cleveland fans have going on) counteracts the dolphin outfit. I'll give you that.........

[Ed in Austin]

Anybody else think John is looking more like Jack Nicholson warming up for a Lakers game? Maybe it's the sunglasses. And the grin..."He-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-r-e's Johnny!"

[Jerry Gallagher]

Smart Move John. Enjoy the family time while you can.

[John Carr]

Hey squirrel,

I miss my wife every minute she is gone, and that's NOT the life. The life will come in less than three years, when she joins me on the beach....both figuratively and literally!

That's living. Good kids, trophy wife (who golfs, bowls and Scabbles better than me!) and unlimited time to enjoy them.

Gotta go...me and Jill are gonna curl up and watch "Desperate Housewives!"

XXXOOO,

JTB