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The two most common questions we are asked
are, "How many cards do you have?" and "How many cards do you need?"
Seemingly simple questions but the answers are a bit more complicated. In
short, due to the numerous categories into which a pilot might fall
(active, recalled/frozen, military, medical, supervisory, etc) each
pilot's qualification for voting is subject to National Mediation Board
(NMB) interpretation. For that reason, and simple verification of data,
we have been conducting almost daily audits of both the cards and each
pilot's status. A final piece of the verification process was the
verification by hand of every single card on file, confirming that each
card we have is properly entered into the database, and (conversely)
that each entry in the database had a corresponding card; a time
consuming process as you can imagine. A couple weeks ago we held what we
referred to as a "Card Party," and working in teams over several hours,
confirmed by hand every card.
Please pause for a moment as you look at what seems like nothing more
than some guys holding up a box; it's much more than that. On the table
in front of us are over three thousand cards; that simple little form you filled
out hopefully and dropped in the mail. Your card's in there, amongst
those of your fellow pilots. Never, in my over 21 years here, have I
been so proud of this pilot group. Look again, arranged alphabetically,
are over 90% of your fellow East pilots along with some West pilots; the
ones with whom you've been flying, the ones who checked out just before
or after you, or who paid the price and have just returned from
furlough, the ones that took pay cuts and lost their retirement, just
like you. The ones who's health no longer allows them to fly, the ones
who's families pray while they serve
their country. The one's I've spoken to who were near tears of
frustration, the ones in very poor health, subsisting on disability with
unpaid bills. There they are,
figuratively standing beside you, having expressed their hope for a
better day, just like you, by submitting their card. It is, without a
doubt, something of which we can all be proud.
The box being held was custom made by
USAPA Volunteer Steve Szpyrka (not pictured). Sharing your pride, and our pride, Steve
was not happy to have your demonstration of hope and resolve delivered
to the NMB in a cardboard box. He took it upon himself to build this custom
presentation box in which your message will be delivered (very soon).
Also not pictured are USAPA
Vice-President Mark Thorpe, USAPA Insurance Committee Chair Jed Thomas, USAPA
Database Volunteer Bob Davison, USAPA Road Show Volunteer Mike Martin
(who has spent considerable time meeting face-to-face with pilots), Ilona Theuer (who painstakingly entered,
corrected and researched
the data from well over two thousand cards and then alphabetized three
thousand of them), and other pilot volunteers too numerous to mention;
all flying a full schedule, commuting, and working countless hours on
their few days off and during their limited family time, to ensure that
you and your fellow pilots can have a choice. ~Scott
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USAPA "Card Party" |
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From
left to right, USAPA Secretary/Treasurer Mark King, USAPA
Communications Volunteer Scott Theuer and USAPA President Steve
Bradford. We're holding Steve Szpyrka's custom NMB presentation
box, and before us are nearly 3,000 demonstrations of resolve,
unity and hope. Thank you to those who have chosen to stand next
to their fellow pilot and say, "Enough!" |
"We have hope.
With hope comes participation. With participation comes resolve.
With resolve comes progress, and with progress comes hope. We have
turned the corner." |
