The Main Bang

<===Get On The Winning Side

<===  It's time for you fence-sitters, procrastinators, and even a few of you that thought I might be wrong to dig deep into you pockets (lined with money I helped negotiate for you) to assist in my defense.  This sort of thing is not cheap, and I am in for around forty large at this point.

Here's the benefit to giving my your money:  I do something others who take your money every month don't.  I give you information.  Real-time, live, important information.  Like for instance this little missile, filed today and brought to you in the middle of the triplets birthday party.....

Download MotionForReconsideration.pdf

As you will read, the legal arguments are clearly on my side.  That does not; however, prevent people from trying to silence the truth by bankrupting the messenger.  Well, I think they grossly misjudged my character and my tenacity when it comes to defending my name.  (They aren't the only ones, but I think I've silenced that hostile fire for a while.)

I'm in this for the long run.  I will defend my name, my honor, my sources and the memory of Linda Petersen to the very end of this process, however long that takes.  If it goes to trial, it will cost me between one hundred and two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.  Roger that.  I will prevail, winning only the right to say, "I told you so.  I absolutely could print those things."

For those of you who are NATCA members and readers of the union's BBS---which I have been banned from for life---There is VERY STRONG reason to believe that the union's insurance policy clearly and unequivocally covers my actions as a "former officer" acting in my capacity as a "former officer." 

Unfortunately for me and you, the union did not bother to even ask the insurance carrier if I was covered. They did not receive a rejection or reservation of rights letter from the carrier.  Pat Forrey made his own political determination to deny the request for indemnification without even attempting to get coverage, or even inquiring as to whether or not coverage was appropriate. 

My attorneys have asked the union for a copy of the union's liability policy via email, phone call and hard copy.  To date they have been met with silence.  I have put two calls in the the General Counsel, leaving a return number each time.  Silence.  The longer the silence, the more I believe that there are efforts afoot at revisionist history, attempting to make Bob Marks and I uncovered after the fact.  I could be wrong, but if we are not covered by the policy...why not provide the policy and the insurance company's determination?

Both my attorney and Bob's believe we are now, and have been all along, covered by the union's insurance policy.  This will in all likelihood lead to more litigation that Pat won't talk to you about but that I will.  It will be Carr V. NATCA, for fees, costs, and any other expenditures related to this case.  And maybe a little something extra for the pain and suffering.  If I prevail in that regard I will create a fund for facreps who have been suspended, fired or terminated by the FAA, because it is clear that the union will not help them and absent this blog, several of them would have lost houses by now. 

I'm going to leave this blog up for the weekend so you can read it, pass the word, and pass the pickle jar.  Yes, I still need your money, and no, I'm not going to quit on you now.  So don't quit on me, OK?

Update

I am pleased to report that the epidural went well.  I can't stay in one place for too long, and I did get the accompanying headache, but all in all it is a treatment I would recommend as a delay tactic for surgery.

I'm loopy and tired and a little on the surly side so I'll ring off...do go to Rob Marks column, referenced below.  He has really turned JetWhine into one of a half a dozen blogs you should visit on a daily basis.

Thanks for all the emails and comments and prayers of encouragement.

A Pain In My Ass

Today i've got another spinal epidural scheduled for the chronic pain I suffer in the lower back and left leg.  The L5-S1 disk is bulging against the nerve (perhaps the most common disk to do that,) and it gives me trouble about every six months or so. 

The first thing I get is a trigger-point pain injection in the left gluteous maximus.  A few days later (today) I get the epidural, which is a minor surgical procedure whereby they knock you into consious sedation (after a Valium,) ((yummy)) and then doink you in the ass with a needle while watching it on the x-ray.  When they get to the opening between the vertebra where the suspect swollen nerve is, they inject a steroid solution right down on top of it's little pumpkin head.

The relief is instantaneous.  If the nerve is touching ANYTHING, pain, pain and more pain.  If the steroid solution can shrink it ever so slightly...so that it touches nothing on it's passage out of the spine...then it's like turning off the pain with a light switch.  It's gone.  And all you are left with is the pain meds. 

While I'm face down on the table, ass in the air, waiting to get stabbed I strongly recommend this take on the puff piece recently written about Bobby Sturgell.  Rob Mark nails it again.

Have a great day, and wish me luck.  If by chance this tale of woe has you feeling sorry for me, nothing says "I feel for you" like cold, hard cash.  Click the ChipIn.

<<<=====

The Paper Trail Is Getting Kind Of Long

If the paper trail that chronicles the Failed Aviation Administration's descent from jet-age agency to the hinges of hell gets any longer we are going to need to pass out line numbers.  Seriously, folks...the only people who haven't written the FAA to complain about their lack-of-leadership are Marion Blakey and Bobby Sturgell and their goon-squad of Vice Presidents.

Congratulations to the union for an outstanding letter in support of the cause.  They managed to get 33 signatures--a third of the Senate---on a letter beseeching the FAA to augment staffing.  The letter, authored by NATCA friend John Kerry, touches on all the germane topics...staffing, safety, the publics interest, and wisely enough it also mentions the need to staff the legacy systems while transitioning to the NexGeneration of pocket-picking contractors.

The union of course, is PASS, and their letter can be found here. 

Download Sugillate.pdf

The staffing they seek is technician staffing, and I am here to tell you that air traffic control is no fun when the radar stops turning.  Kudos to PASS for their proactive work, taking the fight to the agency and keeping the public and political pressure on the gorillas currently running this zoo. 

Recent Clips

In case you missed these, here are a few more proof-points concerning the collasal failure that is the Blakey-Sturgell years at FAA.  In this piece it is revealed that the FAA at virtually all levels approved a nice little extortion-blackmail scheme whereby the fox guarding the henhouse was given free clucking lessons.

This story, originally appearing in the New York Times and now propagating all over the country, pretty much confirms the death of Bobby Sturgells' nomination as FAA Administrator. 

And in another discovered blog is even more proof that the FAA is playing "Three Card Monte" with the American public when it comes to staffing our nation's air traffic control system. 

Those inside the system know it's only a matter of time, folks.  And they wonder:  Why don't those outside the system (but inside the flying Pringles-tubes full of jet fuel) give a damn?

Merit System Unveiled

What the heck is going on at Paine Field in Washington?  Word on the street is the manager took a pretty good facility and has just about ruined it.  The latest rebuke to the workforce was this:

Back in December of 2006 the Manager hired a new supervisor.  He failed his probationary period (because, as my source put it, he refused to be her bitch and do her admin work,) so he got run out of the position.

There were nine bidders for the replacement supervisor, many of whom had very good resumes and were extremely well qualified.  Who does the Facility Manager select?

A secretary from Salt Lake Center.  Yes, you read that right, a secretary.  A former Center washout who went to FSS and then bailed out and into a secretary position.

The new "supervisor" at Paine Field in Washington has never worked in a tower.  She has never held a CTO (Control Tower Operators Certificate.)  She is apparently a mini-me for the Facility Manager, someone who can do all that pesky paperwork so the manager can....do whatever a manager of a fly-speck facility would do if they weren't doing their job. 

I feel sorry for the eight qualified males who applied for this position and were passed over in favor of the secretary.  If I was one of the eight I would be on the blower to the EEOC faster than you can say, "The FAA does it again." 

Happy Mothers Day

I'm taking the day off in honor of Mother's Day.  My own mom passed away in August, 2000, just after I won election to the first of two terms I would serve as NATCA President.  My sister told her I had won election as president, and in her delirous state she muttered, "Oh, good, now he can help all the poor people of the world."  My family is convinced she went to her grave thinking I had been elected President of the United States instead of NATCA.  Sorry, Mom. 

Jill, my sainted wife, is the mother of our four young children:  Rachael, six, and Robbie, Jessica and Brandon, five-year old triplets next Friday.

Today we will goof off and hang out until Jill's flight sometime this afternoon.  She is commuting back and forth from Tampa on weekends to see us while I hold the fort down until Kindergarten graduation.

The big graduation event is scheduled for June 2nd at seven pm, and we'll probably have company over for cake after that, if they don't mind wading through the packing boxes to find a flat surface to sit and eat off of.

June 3rd at 7am we will be on our way to Florida...the six of us and the nanny.  I am officially unemployed for the first time since I was eight (aside from some freelance work I am doing,) and I don't know that I will work again.  I turn fifty this year and that's a nice round number to quit on. 

Happy Mothers Day to all you moms out there...I know how hard you work and you are appreciated more than this silly blog will ever say.  In fact...remind me to kiss you the next time I see you.

An Oldie But A Goodie

Here's an ELEVEN YEAR OLD FAA document that I think I might have shared with you before. 

Download costsav.doc 

It's hard to keep track of what I've posted...old age (among other things!) fogs the memory, but regardless, this one is worth looking at again.

You will see many things that have come to pass, and perhaps a few that are in process, and a few that will be coming soon to a National Airspace System near you.

Enjoy.

And don't forget to ChipIn to the kitty if you haven't....single-handing all this materal, spies, friends and pen pals ain't cheap you know!

<======

<======

Fantasy Island

Please go to this web site and send Bobert Sturgell Blakey packing.  This loser of an acting administrator (small case intended) has poisoned the NAS for years to come. 

In fact, the only useful purpose I can see Bobert filling is perhaps as a "Marion Blakey look-alike" in some cheap, off Las Vegas Boulevard revue or something.  Sadly (but truly) He might even have to show a little titty to get that gig.  (There I go again...a burning half-teaspoon of vomit at the back of my throat, rising...)

Vote early, vote often, vote Bobert off the dysfunctional island that is the FAA.  Send him packing.  Maybe he'll take a few of the other losers (Gibson, Mini-me, Ricky the Douche and the gang) with him.

Bye, Bobby.  It's been fun.  You'll notice as you leave...you're all gone.  I'm still here.  Check back in five years.  You'll still be all gone.  I'll still be here.

XXXOOO,

JTB

Bobert, Live From Oklahoma City On May 7

Bobert Sturgell, the "Dead Man Walking" and very poorly "Acting" Administrator of the Failed Aviation Administration, made a not-so-surprise visit to the FAA Brain Drainer, the Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Here is the audio of that event, which you know happened less than 24 hours ago.  It's almost fifteen meg so be patient.

Download sturgell.mp3

I'm surprised they didn't look for me sitting there, disguised as a student.  I'm retired and flush, so I only need about twenty-four hours notice to throw together a costume and get to where the action is.  Anchorage, Oklahoma City, you name it, I'll get it.  I threw up in my mouth several times listening to Bobert's gig, as you will, but sometimes you have to wade through a lot of slop to get to the pigs.  And trust me...there's a whole-lotta-oinking going on here.  For those who haven't done so yet----and there are about 8700 of you...

<===Click the ChipIn link and throw some money in the kitty.  This kind of bitch-slapping ain't cheap, you know?  Airline tickets, Ramen noodles for a week, unpaid bills piling up...it ain't easy impersonating an Academy kid!  Click it, and gimme some money.  Please.

I love listening to this joker blow smoke up everybody's asses, droning on about "FAA credibility," to which he adds, "especially internationally!"  Put the pom poms down, there, Francis.  The FAA has less credibility than Charles Manson.   

He uses the union as a shield when talking about tuition reimbursement, and he can't even describe the program.  He does, however, try to split the bargaining unit AGAIN by saying they will be only for new hires...not current controllers.  Coward.  But I have to hand it to him...he is accustomed to the union giving him a photo op or political cover, so it's no surprise to see him hide behind NATCA's apron strings in front of the new hires.  I can only hope they have been reading the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth here and at FAA Follies and other blogs. 

He says the Agency wanted to have a voluntary agreement during contract talks.  Liar.  His team walked out, tail between their legs, while I was on the phone with the Director of the FMCS, extending our mediation period.  His talking points on pay sound like Marion Blakey with a shorter nose and a rumpled suit.  He quotes mid-90 thousand as a salary after five years, which is a pipe dream and another lie. 

Ventris Gibson yanks the students chain regarding military benefits, a program she is completely clueless about.  This from a washed up Navy Wave who didn't finish her hitch, bailing out on a hearing disability.  I hope she can read better than she can hear.  Here, let's test it.  Ventris:  bite me.

Bobert had a hell of a lot to say for somebody that should be pricing packing and moving quotes.  I mean, seriously:  he has about as much chance of getting confirmed as FAA Administrator as I do.  Actually...that's not true.  I still have a fairly decent shot.  He has none.  And with that in mind...Bobert has seven and a half months left with car, driver and tenth floor suite.  Then, it's hasta la vista, Bobby.  Where will he go?  Somewhere that he has influenced as Acting, that's for sure.  Right, Marion?

What a waste of time his lecture on user fees was!  Bobbeh.....Bobbeh.....haven't you followed the papers?  There is NO CHANCE of your funding scheme of "Three Card Monte." That fish was given up for dead before Elvira left office.  She couldn't get that crusted turd past Congress, even with her fake southern accent.  You have absolutely NO shot.  None.  Give it up.  You sound stupid to continue to discuss it like it was viable.  Hey, let's discuss getting a ticket for a ride on the Hindenberg next week! 

He mentions that they "weren't quite prepared" in a lot of facilities for the influx of trainees.  Yeah, I can see how that might happen.  AFTER ALL, YOU HAVE ONLY BEEN WARNED ABOUT THE RETIREMENT CRISIS BY THE UNION SINCE 2000 OR SO, AND ABOUT BAD STAFFING SINCE 1987.  Shock, surprise, disbelief.  Ignorance. 

Hmmmm.   Let me cypher:  1981 + 25 years of service = retirement wave at 2006.  Just like we told them.  So truly, the morons running this joke of an agency have only known they were going to have an influx of trainees in the mid-2000's since approximately ten am on August 5, 1981. 

How many new hires made it, he's asked?  Because even the students know they are not air traffic controllers.  They are STUDENTS.  And who are you comparing our pay to, the questioner wants to know?  Listen closely to Bobill's answers to these two questions.  You will never see someone doing the Macarena on the head of a pin like Dead Man Walking does on these two questions.  Unfortunately...if you are looking for real answers to the questions...you might as well look in your shorts.  There's as much info there as there is on this tape.

Enough of my commentary....listen for yourself. 

WARNING!  WARNING!  WARNING!

This is 45 minutes of your life you will NEVER get back.  I not only wasted my time listening to this windbag gas these poor students, but then I had to create a blogful of mockery, spite, venom, hatred, jocularity, sarcasm, wit, and a generous dollop of exaggeration. 

Enjoy this, to the extent that you enjoyed watching Dorothy staring at the hourglass as the sands ran out of the top.  It's almost time for the flying monkeys (Bruce, the Douche, Day, Ventris et. al) to take wing and spread this gospel to the poor saps who made the mistake of walking into these haunted woods in the first place.