King George

I have two sound systems that I regularly listen to. One has floor standing speakers. One has bookshelf speakers. They both sound great…. But they're different.

Nothing beats the sound of king George on the floor standing full range speakers with the extended bass. The ace in the hole band sounds great with the electric bass digging down low with everything beautifully layered on top… gives me goosebumps every time.

Football season in Austin

My least favorite time of year. All the lemmings wear burnt orange on game day. It is a hideous color. Longhorns. Suck. On tv they always show Matthew mccaunaghy acting like a clown on the sideline wearing his stupid cowboy hat and his orange sunglasses.
 

One thing you can always count on - Texas chokes when it matters.  They lost to Ohio.  Get a life losers.

Reality Check

There's a new sherrif in town

My leadership team had their first call with the individual who is replacing me as their leader.  He started sending test messages for boarding compliance with whether or not the flight boarded on time, if there was a failure, what happened and did the flight take a delay.  I've heard about GMs who run a super tight ship.

As I saw the test messages my heart sank.  While I was their boss, I made a deliberate effort to be the kind of boss I would want to work for.  I always laid out the expectation and held them accountable for it.  I didn't make them do things that I considered stupid or degrading..  I didn't intimidate them.  I didn't harass them.  I didn't demand that sort of perfection from them.  

So...   it will be interesting for them.  I didn't want them to be afraid to make a mistake or fail.  I wanted them to improve and do their best.  I didn't want them cutting corners or rushing to make the departure.  I wanted them to run a safe and effective operation.

I've worked under asshole managers.  I vowed never to be one.  I guess this is what the company wants.  

Useless

Every standing meeting 1:1 on my calendar has been cancelled by the other party. Apparently I'm no longer needed or wanted.

Why should I bother attending those that are remaining? To listen to other people being challenged and questioned?

What a way to spend the last two days of work.

Why bother

Why bother going in to work for the rest of the week. New GM has already taken it upon itself to remove me from distro lists and add itself in my place. My dead body isn't even out the door. Or is it?

Not a good day

So…. The changed the pod structure at work and moved Austin out of the the central region and it the west and out of 'pod 4.' My boss shares this information that the Denver GM will be overseeing Austin. I asked her what made Austin different? We want to give Alex a station with real crewmembers. Alex is a mover and a shaker. He always comes up with gimmicks to boost performance. So
Now pod 4 has 4 cities and two crewmember cities and two BP cities. I also found out from a colleague she wants him to stay. That's odd. So I guess that makes me the odd man out. Does this information change my decision. No. It's the fact that the information we were given to make a decision is changing and is no longer accurate. And it changes after I committed to leave. Integrity is lacking.

Went through brand presentation with auto franchiser. I didn't feel particularly good at about the meeting. Wondering if I can pull off starting my own shop. The reason for the net worth is to demonstrate proper stewardship of resources over career. Well…. We fail that test. Too many bmws, corvettes, stereos, dresses and vacations. The more I learn, the more I realize I don't think this is the right opportunity. While I appreciate having Christian values as a foundation of business, I'm not sure I want to move forward. Moved to step 3 in the discovery process.

Meeting with Walter and Ike tomorrow. Walter has some 'good news' that he's excited to share. He has a meeting at noon. We are meeting at two and at four we are meeting a realtor in Taylor. Walter seems to think 'we got this.'

Wonder what tomorrow has in store for HOTCC?!?!

If there’s one thing

If there one thing that irritates me it is a company dress code only being enforced to public facing customer service roles. If the company doesn't want our external customers to see what kind of freaks work here, why is it okay to let the internal customers see the freaks that work here? They're worried that purple hair, nose piercings, cross dressing and tattoo is offensive to external customers, why not the same consideration and courtesy to internal customers? #hypocrites

Don’t know what to think

I was trying to have a discussion with my wife regarding decision to franchise or go solo with business idea. She's a believer in the franchise model because they've never had one fail. They may not have had a location fail but I bet they've had an owner fail. Why? Because they have the option to remove an owner and send in their management team to assist - aka do clean up an aisle 3.

Anyway, I was commenting on the costs and outflow of cash for expenses. Some of the fees seem unreasonable to me. She says to me I don't think you understand starting a business is expensive and they have a good track record. I understand that but have read the fdd document? I looked over it. I think it can be done more frugally than that. You don't know what you're doing. I do know what I read and I understand math - you didn't read the document because you'd be concern spending half a million dollars - I want to discuss this with you as a mental exercise. You figure out how to make it work - this is your thing - you said you can do this - so do it.

Here's what I get out of this - Do it so if it doesn't work I can blame you. If you ask me starting a business isn't a me thing. It's a we thing. It is a completely different model of economic existence with all the risk and significant risk to loss possibly the benefit.

Working for a company is minimal risk with practically guaranteed limited benefit if you show up and do your job as they've structured it.

Owning a business is making it work for employees, customers, stake holders and the community. It has to meet needs of all the above.

Watched a video about a shop that's been around a while. They speak of the trials and tribulations. One comment made that strikes me is keeping expenses in check. From what I see the franchise model doesn't do that. They have a model they think works. And from what people have told me it is more of a build it and they will come. And they end up with too many employees and under utilized equipment. Built for an optimistic future and not earned reality.

JetBlue started with three cities and one airplane. I think it is misguided to start a shop with 8 bays with lifts and an alignment machine when you haven't serviced one car. Or why am I spending 500 dollars a month for software that is available for 200? Mechanics for 8 bays plus other employee overhead like jr tech, foreman, advisors and parts people. When Ike worked at a CB they ended up getting rid of a bunch of people. To use an airplane analogy - the business had too many airplanes and crew with not enough routes or people to move.

Much to consider.

TinBukTwo

"I got a crazy teacher he wears dark glasses, things are going great and they're only getting better.  I'm doing alright, gettin' good grades.  I got a job waitin' for my graduation."  Or something like that...

The song goes something like that.  I am beyond excited for my next re-invention of myself and what is in store after JetBlue.  I've wanted to go into the repair business for 36 years and things didn't work out that way for various reasons.  And, it is never too late to reinvent yourself.  I feel like I have a great opportunity to do what I always wanted to before it's too late.  

I keep thinking back to when I informed my boss of my decision to exit with a severance package.  She asked why and I told her if I don't leave, I never will and I'll never get to do what I always wanted to do.  This is one of the greatest opportunities I've had and I think my entire career has given me a skillset to be successful.

Funny thing happened back in June when the opt out was available and I raised my hand and said that's for me.  On July 5 my Dad asked me to take him to church for some "church business" that was important for him to participate in the decision making process.  I reluctantly agreed to take him as I have mixed memories from my time at the church.  As it turns out, it was one of the best decisions I've made since I decided to drop out of college.  I ran into a friend from my teenaged years who I have seen in 20 or so years.  We started talking about what one another has been doing over the two decades since we've seen each other.  His name is Walter.  He told me he was retired from the state and was into real estate and owned a couple businesses - a ranch, a real estate company, a drivers education school, a biohazard transport and disposal company and a security company.  I told him I was leaving my career of 20 years and wanted to start an auto repair shop.  He knows a guy named Ike who's been in the industry for 35 years.  He's 70 years old now.  And before you know it we started meeting and strategizing on how to open an auto repair shop.  Our strategy meetings are very encouraging.

Today one of my dear flight attendant friends was turning in Austin.  I met the plane and visited with him and told him my news.  We talked about the computer we hired on to and the company we have today and both agree it's not the same.  During our conversation he remarked that the time is right when other options start easily sliding into place...  Pretty remarkable.

I started drafting the "leaving the company email" and reached out to a few people I had lost touch with.  All in all, I will be sending my farewell email to roughly 70 people I've worked with over the last 20 years.  I talk about what a joy it's been to work with some amazing people and how much I cherish the friendships I've made in aviation and JetBlue. It's an exciting time to live the life which is mine.  And the best thing is I'm not "leaving the company to spend time with family" which in JetBlue speak means you got fired.

I have a friend that once said you never realize the path you're on until you look back at the path you've traveled and when sight is set on the future it's interesting to see how the path led me here.  While it hasn't been a career of stellar accomplishments or rapid progression, it is a career of dedication and consistent progress and some strategic decisions that relieved temporary pain and agony - but some decisions have caused pain and agony... I've learned a lot and feel well prepared for what is ahead.

The challenge and uncertainty of what lies ahead can be daunting.  And what I'm learning is to keep working at it.  As I call it keep noodling around with it and making progress.  Learn a lot.  Make scary decisions.  Ultimately, I believe the way I want to do business will prevail.  I love the team and I love working towards a dream I had that was never given a fair shake.  Taking steps to bring it to reality is invigorating.  My future's so bright I gotta wear shades.

AI - Assistant

A month or so ago a friend turned me on to playing with and using chat GPT as a resource in trying to figure out my post aviation job.  I am shocked at the capabilities.  I don't know if I am getting good information - but based on what I'm asking, the information looks incredible.  I've asked it all kinds of questions and am pleased with what answers have been provided. 

King George

I picked up an ancient denon cd player from goodwill a few months ago. I hooked it up a while ago and vocals sound amazing on it. King George gives me goosebumps - how the voices blend, the instrumentation, the bass line.

It is a superb listening experience.

Superb. Sweet and mellow.

I hung up

Today- I hung up on a call with my team. Big Boss was talking about what she or he may require from the sup team. One time she was talking and said he without saying she and our favorite DEI hire raises her hand and said, 'excuse me, I'm a boss and I'm a she.' STFU already. People like her are the reason corporate culture sucks and part of the reason this country is in decline. Jeezus. The world doesn't rotate around you. Put your pronouns in your signature to keep the rest of satans children from offending you. Gtfoh.

Sustainability

How many people make choices based on sustainability? Recycled materials content? Energy consumption? I don't. If they are making all these data centers that run on electricity, what I do doesn't matter until some entity regulates the consumption of resources used in technology. Like I'm going to go out of my way to use an airport that has solar panels and LED lighting and does composting. Who's picking a flight based on engine technology? No one.

Dream

I had a dream I was working a summer camp program on a college/university campus. Donald Trump was on the team. Instead of walking everywhere we rode around with him driving a limousine. And he was absolutely hilarious. A genuinely funny man. He would take me to the shower in another dormitory because we both knew the water pressure was better. Anyway, the Donald was hilarious doing whatever he wanted even if it was not in compliance with campus rules. Just a funny guy that was fun to be around. The Donald. lol.

Tuesday is the BIG day

 I want to inform my team of my decision to leave current employer.  However, I want to do it when the best parts of the team are in the office.  I'm not going to schedule a teams call or let people join remotely.  I am going to have a conversation and let them know of my decision.  I simply am going to tell them what I've told everyone else...  I've been doing this for 20 years.  I want to pursue other ambitions and now feels like the right time.  If I don't do anything else, I'll never doing anything else and I no long want to put pursuing those goals on hold.  It's been a good run.  The station is getting new flights.  I've done my part - I got us over the hump and the company is again investing in our station. 

 With my departure I am assigning more to my team and stepping back little by little as other irons in the fire are starting to heat up. 

Another interesting tidbit.  I had a meeting on Saturday with a friend plus an industry veteran.  The veteran told me one of his favorite jobs was working for a company that installs devices on motor vehicles allowing people with disabilities to drive.  I sent him an email today thanking him for spending time with me and notified him the position he enjoyed is available and gave him the link to apply.  

If I go the road and open my own shop, I may have given away the opportunity to hire him.  At the same time, if this is a job he really enjoyed, he might like to do that again.  I don't remember if circumstances to him leaving were discussed as I didn't make note of it.  

 

Stuck

I was talking to a colleague and informed him of my decision to leave the aviation world.  He told me I've been in the industry too long for a reinvention and to just accept the fact that my next job will be in aviation.

Surely I am not type cast like a has been actor like Matthew McCaunaghey that plays the same character in every single movie.  

Is 20 years too long to deviate from the path I've been on? 

There are people who believe in and support.  There are people who sabotage.  There are people who just might be humoring the old fart.  There are people who standby and watch to see what happens.  And then there are those egging on the retard to see if he's stupid enough to do this.

Might be time to be more selective on who is in and who is out.

DCI

The last time I paid attention to drum corps championships was when I was working the 0400 shift at work. Looking at an old Facebook group it was 2018. That's a long time ago.

Anyway - Boston crusaders won. First time in corps history. Like 85 years or something. I saw their show at the big loud live event where quarter finals are broadcast in select movie theaters across the country.

Their show was pure energy. And it's cool they won.

Entrepreneurship

 I think this is going to come down to whether or not I have the risk tolerance to go the road my own and start my own business from the ground up or purchase a franchise.  One of the top ranked franchises for auto repair is sooo expensive.  Not only the initial cost, but they take 50% of your profit and additional percentage of profit for marketing.  On top of that, they estimate the rent for the land and building to be in the 15-20 thousand dollars/month.  How on Earth does the business make money and are there alternative avenues to be just as successful without locking in their monthly costs?

 I had a meeting today with a friend and a veteran in the industry.  It was an interesting conversation.  My friend seems to think a shop can be opened without a franchise with the right people and get to profitability faster.  The industry veteran was knowledgeable and informed about the industry, currently working for another chain of shops in the local market.  He would be an asset to starting a shop from the ground up or going the franchise route.

  

WTH

Every time I see a picture of John Williams in the media I am expecting it to be notification of his passing. 93 years old.

Quote

Let me fall where I fall and the person I'm becoming will catch me.

Heard describing a drum corps show….

Computer Setup

New computer arrived.  It's been a long time since I set up a computer.  Like 20 years long.  I've either used my phone or my employer provided one for me to use.  I didn't have the slightest idea where to begin.  

My oldest helped me get everything looking and working the way it should.  He also put his expertise to use to insure I had maximum security while using the internet.  And he helped me move photos and personal files from one computer to another.

He's pretty smart.  I'm sure he could make money doing this for other people.  

44:12

My wife's team got their class rosters. Between them there were 44 students speaking 12 languages. Draw your own conclusions.

Superpower

I'm going to tell you a secret. When I have dental work to remedy a cavity I don't use any Novocain, nitrous or numbing gel. I open my mouth and let the doctor drill to his heart's content and do his work. Even below the gum line or near the bone.

It's a much better experience than a needle or experiencing numbness. Dig in and get'r done.

Interesting

 I happened upon a story in the bible and was particularly struck by the wording.  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same as a thief and a robber.  But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the door keeper opens and the sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

The application of the above group of verses are very interesting when you think of who comes into your house, bring on to work in your business, the responsibility as a leader, or how people come into our country - how our friends mesh with our values coming through the door, the hiring process or assimilating into our country.  It is a biblical principle with just as much relevance today as when it was written.  "He who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same as a thief and a robber."

Done

I'm done dealing with the stupid kids in analysts positions telling the rest of us how to do our jobs. They think they know so much about operations yet they've never done any work away from their computer screens.

There was a time I really enjoyed the people I worked with and reported out to. Now, not so much.

No longer belong here. These are not my people.