Fly Safe.

My dad's not big on unions.




But I am.

And as I sit here today, waiting to hear back on a radio station job, my dad is considering early retirement from a job he used to love.

Here's the deal:

- Do you like flying?
- Do you conduct whimsical daydreams of bargaining tables?
- Do you have the hots for Barack Obama (D-IL)?

The FAA is trying to present the [false] idea that air traffic controllers (ATC) are getting paid too much, thus putting the system in crisis. In addition, the FAA is neglecting to address the impending staffing crisis that is about to occur (possibly more quickly) due to an increase of retirees over new hires. While attempting to act as/switch to a private entity (albeit, a poorly executed one), little care is taken to address the fact that this is a PUBLIC AGENCY. Let's face it: not many kids (or many current employees) are going to look forward to a government job with poor pay and an identity crisis.

So then what? Well, I've never been fond of scare tactics, but...do the math:

fewer controllers+more planes=terrorism might not be our biggest transportation concern.

Also, labor rights have been gradually wearing away, with union membership steadily falling. So be it, but there needs to be a means to insure that workers (ALL workers) can take on a proper wage in safe working conditions. In turn, workers on their off time (i.e., customers/consumers/patrons) will also feel the benefits.

Check out fairfaa.com for more info on the current crisis.

If you feel inclined, contact your local representative here or by your preferred means (egging his/her house is strongly discouraged, but holding up your sweet stereo and pumping "In Your Eyes" is always welcomed).

Hell, do it for my dad (he needed a healthy salary to pay for my braces), do it for my little sister....



...do it for Billy Bob Thorton in 'Pushing Tin'. Dammit.