Thursday, November 24, 2005
Thoughts on the Day
Thanksgiving Day presents flight service controllers with a dichotomy this year. Those controllers who were able to retire before the Lockheed contract went into effect are generally in good spirits. Some in the legacy (non-closing) stations, in fact, are ecstatic with how things turned out for them; drawing both retirement and the same salary that they were before (at least for the next three years) without having to move, continuing their employment with a top-tier company.
On the other end of the spectrum are controllers who have lost a great deal; a retirement they have been working on for as much as 24 years that is now a complete loss with little chance of recovery, a career, roots in a community, a loved home.
Between the two extremes are situations of every stripe. Hope is not completely gone for a bit of annuity repair as pending legislation would allow some to regain their vesting. Others have glimmers of hope for future employment somewhere in the federal government.
But it cannot be denied that we rarely see such a devastation of an entire profession, which makes thankfulness a more difficult thing to come buy compared to the ‘national average.’ We do not downplay the tragedies that afflicted the Gulf Coast this year; very few controllers lost homes and families to natural disaster (we know some who did and they are in our prayers). But we’ve found that knowing the misery of others at the hands of nature does little to soothe the wounds deliberately caused buy the hand of our fellow man, FAA executives in this instance.
So what is the answer? We have no great wisdom to offer, or words to soothe; we are not philosophers, councilors or ministers. There is no single answer to give, perhaps, since there are so many legitimate reasons to be bitter. We can only realize that as long as our focus on what has befallen us, we cannot be consoled by that which may later be a deliverance. Yes, continue the fight for what is rightfully due those who were fired unjustly, lied to, denied employment opportunities that went to the inexperienced, had pension contributions literally stolen. But do so in a manner that moves forward in climbing out of the rubble, not backward with vengeance.
In all things, look around; take inventory. Each of us has building blocks for future success that we cannot see unless we are willing to acknowledge them and be thankful for them; families, friends, talents, contacts, abilities. Recognize, celebrate and embrace them. Then let your rebuilding begin.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you this day.
On the other end of the spectrum are controllers who have lost a great deal; a retirement they have been working on for as much as 24 years that is now a complete loss with little chance of recovery, a career, roots in a community, a loved home.
Between the two extremes are situations of every stripe. Hope is not completely gone for a bit of annuity repair as pending legislation would allow some to regain their vesting. Others have glimmers of hope for future employment somewhere in the federal government.
But it cannot be denied that we rarely see such a devastation of an entire profession, which makes thankfulness a more difficult thing to come buy compared to the ‘national average.’ We do not downplay the tragedies that afflicted the Gulf Coast this year; very few controllers lost homes and families to natural disaster (we know some who did and they are in our prayers). But we’ve found that knowing the misery of others at the hands of nature does little to soothe the wounds deliberately caused buy the hand of our fellow man, FAA executives in this instance.
So what is the answer? We have no great wisdom to offer, or words to soothe; we are not philosophers, councilors or ministers. There is no single answer to give, perhaps, since there are so many legitimate reasons to be bitter. We can only realize that as long as our focus on what has befallen us, we cannot be consoled by that which may later be a deliverance. Yes, continue the fight for what is rightfully due those who were fired unjustly, lied to, denied employment opportunities that went to the inexperienced, had pension contributions literally stolen. But do so in a manner that moves forward in climbing out of the rubble, not backward with vengeance.
In all things, look around; take inventory. Each of us has building blocks for future success that we cannot see unless we are willing to acknowledge them and be thankful for them; families, friends, talents, contacts, abilities. Recognize, celebrate and embrace them. Then let your rebuilding begin.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you this day.
# posted by Skywise @ 8:33 AM 
