Charles E. Taylor

[Ken MacTiernan]

E-Mail: [email protected]
I have just been informed that the new FAA Airman Certificate WILL have a image of Charles E. Taylor! There will not be a stand alone card for AMTs. The new cards will have Charlie and the Brothers. The image may be of Charlie when he first worked for the Wrights, which is illustrated on the book cover tittled Charles E. Taylor: The Wright Brthers Mechanician written by Howard R. Dufour. The draft photo should be viewed by the gentleman in the FAA who brought the issue of Mr. Taylor not being included to my attention along with Rueben Taylor, Jr. I wish to say thank you to every one who took the time to write/call/e-mail the contacts I mentioned as well as their elected State officials. It is all about respect. Charles E. Taylor has just been given some long over due respect. And through him our profession. If anyone would like to purchase this book on Charles E. Taylor, the "Unsung Hero" of aviation e-mail me and I will give you the information.

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To order a book contact Jennifer Baker at Baker's School of Aeronautics, 1645-M Murfreesboro Road, Nashville TN 37217. Ph: (615) 361-6787. Toll free: (800) 264-1787.

 

[AMFAMAN]

Ken,

I believe I speak for many when I say thank you for your efforts. Keep up the good work.

 

[Rusty]

That is great news Ken and I would like to thank you personally for bringing this to our attention in the first place. Thanks for all your hard work to promote out image and our craft and class!!!

 

[Rusty]

Did i say thank you!!!

 

[AMFAMAN]

Just wondering Ken if you had any high dollar AFL-CIO lobbyist get this through for us or did the letter writing campaign cause its success?

 

[Ken MacTiernan]

AMFAMAN, I did not have any afl-cio power house official fight for this. I became aware of this through my contact with Richard Dilbeck of the FAA's Sacramento FSDO. As an AMT and Director of the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association, www.amtausa.com, I became insulted. I simply informed people and asked them to get involved. I am happy that many felt the same way as I did. I personally do not want to waste MY money on the afl-cio and THEIR agendas. I would much rather use my money to buy a stamp and envelope and have MY voice heard. I certainly did not hear the twu/iam/ibt talk about Charles E. Taylor. Go figure. Thanks again for all those who spoke on behalf of Charles E. Taylor and our profession.

 

[Thomas Paine]

Good job Ken!

Recognition is an important part of maximizing the value of our Liscenses. Its sad that despite the fact that mechanics contribute millions of dollars annually to unions such as the TWU,IAM and IBT that it takes individual initiatives such as yours to promote our craft.

My experience has been that our unions not only fail to promote the craft, but make efforts to debase it. The TWU has been the leader with the creation of SRPs and OSMs. Thousands of good paying A&P jobs were transfered to lower paid employees, many who had liscenses but were no longer going to be recognized.

During the 2001 "negotiations" our Local was making a big stink about the threat of FAR 66 and the fact that our contract did not provide any protections to the A&P mechanic. The language that we got was patronizing and would be completely ineffective. I'm sure that Luby knew that when he wrote it.

As A&P mechanics we can not count on our unions to protect the status and value of our tickets. Those in control of our unions, with one exception, could care less about our tickets, they will only act in our interests on a purely dues driven basis. If it means losing dues they might fight it, if the dues end up coming from unliscensed mechanics instead of liscenced, thats OK.

The key to our success lies in taking pride in our profession without falling into the trap of attacking other workers. We dont elevate ourselves by pushing down others. We can, and should take pride in our profession, those who would try to degrade us should be ignored, who cares what they think? The fact is that the average passenger thinks highly of our skills. Efforts to recognize Charles Taylor can only furter improve that image.

 

[Rusty]

Well said Thomas!!!

 

[dreese]

Ken thank you for your hard work, I never heard of Charles Taylor before I started reading post from you. Again thank you for your hard work in this cause and the AMFA drive

 

[Ken MacTiernan]

Thomas Paine, I agree that the average passenger thinks highly of our profession. I also think that they just take our craft for granted. Just like Mr. Taylor did 100 years ago, today's AMTs do the job asked of them. There is a turning point in our profession right now. It is up to EVERY AMT to stand up and demand the respect that was earned by Charles E. Taylor and followed by everyone who has entered the profession he started. On December 17, 2003 the first 100 years of aviation will have passed. Let's make the next 100 years brighter and safer.

 

[mojo13]

Ken, we have three members here at MCI that will be awarded this Thursday (50 years service). If you are interested I will get thier names.
Regards,
M.E. Johnson

 

[Buck]

Congratulations on your members awards and years of service.
Airmen of such stature are what makes the profession proud.
These individuals must have aquired vast knowledge over the years. I would hope that they have and can transfer their skill to the next generation. These men of aviation have seen much in their careers. It will take integrity for those that come after them to acheive so much.

 

[Thomas Paine]

At JFK we have Al Blackman. 61 years with the company and going strong. He was here to see the TWU come, and now he will be here to see it go.

Al is not afraid of change, he wants AMFA!

 

[mojo13]

Correction; make that four members!!!