tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post4989514872021451088..comments2023-09-10T06:31:57.471-05:00Comments on Dispatches From the Away-Dad Nation: About a StrikeHal Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17350917997504370743noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-79668999059146521622007-04-01T08:48:00.000-05:002007-04-01T08:48:00.000-05:00Thanks for the comments, guys. Bob B., I suppose ...Thanks for the comments, guys. Bob B., I suppose I'm not actually still "on strike," although the distinction doesn't mean much in reality. I was one of sixty pilots who didn't call in, once given the okay by the union, to ask to return to work. Since my annual training expired in November, I'm near the back of the pack in terms of the priority list worked out between management and the union. It's been one hell of a party.Hal Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17350917997504370743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-78153177340948223582007-03-31T08:00:00.000-05:002007-03-31T08:00:00.000-05:00I'm sure your wife and son has cherished this time...I'm sure your wife and son has cherished this time as much as you have. What wonderful memories you will have from this. And I see this defining you more than your job does.Bob Devlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976392653621858294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-52465676497152447162007-03-30T22:25:00.000-05:002007-03-30T22:25:00.000-05:00Wow! I hadn't realized that you were still on str...Wow! I hadn't realized that you were still on strike, Hal. I fully understand why you'd want to stick around with your family. We just don't get paid enough to stay away for so long. But do you have to go back? Aren't there any flying opportunities where you live now?<BR/><BR/>As one of the founders of the PHI union, I am profoundly sad to see what it's become. We really had the best intentions and the highest hopes. To see it fail is almost unbearable. I was going to write about it on my own blog, but it always turns into "War and Peace." It's hard to distill the issues down to a blog-sized post. <BR/><BR/>Yes, flying gets in our blood. But unlike airline pilots, *most* of us helicopter pilots are too uneducated and selfish (present company excepted) to see past that <I>"Gee, isn't this fun! This sure beats working for a living!"</I> bullshit and support their fellow helo pilots. I will never again suggest that helicopter pilots form or join a union. While their companies might deserve to be unionized, helicopter pilots don't deserve unions. Sad, that.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with the "return to work" interview, I hope it goes well. I'm sure you'll keep us all posted here.Bob Barbanes:https://www.blogger.com/profile/12344068760904928223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-7788643381472225492007-03-30T09:25:00.000-05:002007-03-30T09:25:00.000-05:00"It's still in my blood, as much as I want to deny..."It's still in my blood, as much as I want to deny its hold. It's part of what I am, despite how, over the years, I've resisted being defined by what I do."<BR/><BR/>Good stuff. I hope your adjustment back to a different rhythm of life is fruitful, even if it isn't easy.Redleftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04834798382800790723noreply@blogger.com