Hi-Lighter wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:59 am
“SAWABONA”
A little comment about the “Little Guy Truckers convoys” that are present at every airport in the country.
To all you “High Flyers” (Elites with Wings) you best contemplate that your your flight experience might come to an abrupt end.
All of the little Fringe Minority of people who drive all types of trucks at your airport are tired of being dismissed as “Children of a Lesser God”.
These are some of the ones that drive trucks and support equipment on the airport.
All considered “Non-Essential” and paid accordingly.
You know:
The Poo truck drivers,
Fuel truck drivers,
Baggage cart drivers,
De-ice truck drivers and operators,
Huffer cart and HVAC cart drivers and operators,
Catering truck drivers,
Crew bus drivers,
Cabin cleaning truck drivers,
Maintenance truck and equipment drivers,
ETC
These people work for a crappy wage – often living literally pay period to pay period with little or no ability for many to even put away a bit of money for a rainy day. They don’t take their sick days – most are legally allowed a few and of course have the right to stay home if they are sick. Most contracts give them a 5 day window that after that period they have to get a Doctors note. But what would happen if one group or heaven forbid the whole group just happened to come down with flu and cold symptoms at the same time?
How high would you “Winged Gods” be flying then?
By your elitist manner the vast majority have dismissed these folks to just background noise. (Yes there are exceptions and you know who you are and we know who you are)
When was the last time you even said “Hello” to your re-fueler?
Said “Great job, Thanks” to a cabin cleaner?
Been down on the hangar floor lately and engaged in some meaningful dialog with a maintenance guy or a cleaner.
By the way in my almost 50 years in the industry the worst treatment and contempt for the “BLACK GANG” - as we sometimes like to call ourselves were:
( Black Gang – so called - because it came from the days of coal fired trains, ships etc. And the men who shoveled coal were covered in coal dust)
KLM
Lufthansa
BOAC
British Airways
and Air Canada
All tied for first place.
When I was in Africa I learned a great many things – one of those was a greeting that was most respectful and meaningful.
It was: “SAWABONA”
A common greeting among the tribes of northern Natal in South Africa and it literally means: “I SEE YOU”
As to say, “I respect and acknowledge you for who you are”
In return, people say “SIKBONA” which literally means: “I AM HERE” as to say “When you see me you bring me into existence”.
When was the last time you were even remotely close to a similar greeting to the third principle of the “Theory of Flight”.
In case you have forgotten:
1 - Bernoulli’ Principle
2 – Aircraft Fly on Money Principle.
3 – It takes a team to make an aircraft fly.
These folks are angry – they have been through all the same crap we all have the last 2 years including many job losses. In addition they have been marginalized and disrespected for the entire life cycle of this industry.
The loss of $500.00 in a month because of lock-downs won’t matter much to those of you making 3 figure salaries. A loss of $500.00 per month for this group is a catastrophic event.
Of course over the years of entitlement and privilege you have lost the ability to have any empathy for your fellow human beings. That is a shame, because these people matter, they have lives – often lived in quiet desperation – unseen, not heard, and not respected by you all.
If you want to keep flying, I suggest you get with a program to acknowledge that they even exist and are valued by you and the company that they work for.
I would not like to see the result of all these Fringe Minority people taking their 5 days of sick time and some holidays at the same time, but on the other hand, maybe you might think for a minute about them.
“SIKBONA”
next
thanks for quoting me
