Rumors are rampant about the demise of ATA. So many people are all saying the exact same things. Last time ATA faced death, there was all kinds of speculation regarding how and when. This time, the story appears to be written with only a single chapter....Seven. Should all these rumors be true, I will miss ATA deeply. Though it's been a sometimes rocky road with them, it's certainly been fully of opportunity and education. My heart goes out to what's left of the people that make up this half organized, half knee jerk reaction airline. So many of them put their souls into playing on the team....so many will face unemployment.
For me, I'm scared. ATA's played a massive role in my company's development. I'm sure there are other opportunities out there, but the unknown gives me that tension stress you can feel in the pit of your stomach.
On a brighter note, since ATA has lost the campaign charters, I've been asked by North American to pick them up. So, I may not be on the same plane, with the same crews...but the passengers will be the same. In the past, I've said it's like a family on board....and that's a very welcoming environment to work in. Though I'm sure everything will run just fine, I'm mostly looking forward to the challenge of doing all that I can to make the NAO operation identical to the ATA operation in order to please the customer. This customer LOVED ATA's performance and is horribly sad to see it moved to another airline. I too am sad to see the change, but can't wait to dive in and handle the challenge of creating an identical or better operational experience for this customer.
Even more positive.....Spring has sprung and the days of single digit temperatures should be over for most of the country. If I'm going to be bouncing around the country on these charters, I'm just glad to get beyond the frigid temperatures I dealt with earlier this year.
The other day, I purchased a new hosting service for my company's website and email. After 24 hours of suffering with the nuances of this new service...I switched back to yahoo small business. I'm still in the market for a service that costs less and provides a superior product as yahoo small business is quite unimpressive. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm listening. Startlogic.com is now crossed off my list. Seriously...who wants to have a email service where you're users have to contact you to change their passwords? The only way for them to do it themselves, is if I gave them admin access to the site....which would mean that everyone would have full access to every body's email. I'm just not comfortable with that. More than anything else, I'm shocked that an email platform like that is even being sold.
I must admit, it was very cool to see the reactions that I had from my last blog. I should probably blog politically more often. Good points all around but....I still say....cut the damn spending already!
The weather has prevented me from starting my IFR instruction this week. I did talk with my new instructor though. Turns out, he's a beanie wearing, holy day observing Jew. If the weather and my schedule will ever give me a break, I'll be getting checked out to fly out of BWI. So....Baltimore based fans...let's go flying sometime.
Laying here at the Four Point's Sheraton BWI, where I was able to squeeze in about 3 hours of sleep, I have just one message for my readers.....Happy Easter...and Happy Purim too!
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3 comments:
I've been curious about SWA's role (if any) these days. Didn't they pick up a substantial portion of ATA a few years back? Or are they just quietly sitting by, waiting to pick at the bones?
Has ATA paid all of your bills? (the money they owe you?)
Over your career you have gone from sleeping in the airport to sleeping across the street at 4 Points... movin' on up!!!
Congratulations!!!
The world is a better place when you blog.
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