248 years ago, the very eloquently scribed Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress before the signing process began with John Hancock in August. I had the fortune of getting to see this original document at the National Archives this past week, and it was a humbling reminder to be grateful of the things that we have been blessed with by those who came before us. To those who are working today, thank you for being here and for your continued commitment to the safety of the flying public. To those who have the day off, I do hope today is spent with those whom you hold dear. To all of you, let today be a remembrance of everything our ancestors fought for to gain the independence and freedoms that we hold so very dear today. Seeing our nations capitol this close to the 4th really brings new meaning and weight of this holiday for me.
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
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To move on to a couple of things…
A - it is summer and the overtime season is upon us. If you receive a call from work and you are incapable or not wanting to come in…. YES LISTERS - If you answer your phone and say you don’t want or can’t take the overtime, you will be charged with an opportunity for overtime (8 hours). NO LISTERS - If you answer your phone and say you don’t want or can’t take the overtime, you will not be charged with the 8 hours and stay at the top of the call out list. SUGGESTION - don’t answer if you’re not sure. Don’t answer the phone call, let the person calling leave a voicemail and call back if you so desire. There should be time for you to review the voicemail and call back before they call the next person (sometimes there isn’t enough time for this, or whomever calls back first will be assigned the overtime if many have been called). If you have any questions or need any clarification on this, PLEASE ASK ME.
2 - Vancouver Center is having some staffing issues for the next 4 days, so we will be taking some of their arrival traffic into the Vancouver area. There is routing that has been agreed to for this, and while it will increase our traffic count (estimated 50-60 aircraft/day), we will only be receiving their arrival traffic to that area. TMU is putting a MIT restriction on these aircraft, and there will be no EGRET times. There will be (what sounds like) a pretty aggressive GDP in effect for those airports, and I have told management, we do need to be at full guides, at the very least. **If you are finding that you need more MIT or support, please tell your sup. TMU will reach out to ZLC for more spacing if we need it. This begins Friday at 2pm and will go until 2200L Friday night, then 0600-2000L Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
D - I didn’t really have anything, but had to include this or it wouldn’t make sense.
Have a wonderful and safe 4th, and thanks to you all for all you do.
Crumbley
360-635-8244