Alaskan Artist - Elise Tomlinson
Home Artist Blog About Me Life in Alaska Purchase Site Index Speak
Home » Archives » August 2005 » Support the Mechanic's Union - Don't Fly Northwest!!!

[Previous entry: "Let the Idiot Speak!"] [Next entry: "Coldplay Put a Smile Upon My Face!"]

08/25/2005: "Support the Mechanic's Union - Don't Fly Northwest!!!"


My brother-in-law Jason is a mechanic for Northwest. One time while I was visiting them in MN, he took me out to where they work on the jets. I can't remember what kind of jet it was, I think it was a Boeing 747, what I remembered though was being shocked and amazed at what a jet looks like when it's getting worked on. The cabin was completely empty of seats etc. There were panels pulled up all over from the floor, little taged pieces sitting in big piles all over the place...it was terrifying.

boeing-repair (65k image)


I read the book Airframe and it scared the shit out of me. I kept thinking, "if one single piece doesn't get put back right it could cause the thing to crash!"

Now that Northwest Airline's mechanics are striking, the airline has brought in 1,500 scabs to replace them, possibly permanently...and the rest of the maintenance they're outsourcing. I don't know about you, but I won't ever get on another Northwest jet if they don't hire back the professionals who helped build Northwest's impressive saftey record. It's only a matter of time before those jets start dropping out of the sky. Plus, if this strike fails it will be really bad for unions in general.

Guys on the picket line kept your saftey in mind