Published 24 May, 2012
I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank all of the Aviation Maintenance Technicians throughout the airline industry on this important day, National AMT Day. Over many years, your skills and dedication to detail and professionalism have produced the safest means of mass transportation in the world.
For all of our TWU represented AMTs at American Airlines and American Eagle, I want to say a special thank you for your dedication and perseverance, despite the added pressures brought on by AMR’s bankruptcy. It must be a personal challenge, but I watch as you continue working professionally and provide the safest aircraft possible for this airline, and I am proud of all of you.
Under bankruptcy scrutinization, AMTs face tremendous pressures from the Federal Aviation Administration inspectors, uncaring supervisors and their cost cutting managers. The latter always seem to be pushing you for ‘on-time’ departures. There is often pressure to minimize delays, but you know better than anyone, that even the slightest mistake could spell disaster.
Each entry into a logbook brings legal and personal liability that the flying public does not appreciate or know about. AMTs are required to meet FAA standards every time or risk losing their licenses. AMTs are aviation’s unsung heroes and heroines.
Over the last decade, the AMT profession has been faced with unprecedented challenges because of an unpredictable airline industry. In times such as these, when our country and the world are filled with turbulence and uncertainty, the AMT profession demands more diligence than ever before.
The very lifeline of these hard-working men and women is increasingly jeopardized by air carriers filing for bankruptcy, eliminating medical benefits, pension plans and outsourcing their maintenance work to overseas facilities. Since 2000, our country has lost over 25,000 aircraft maintenance jobs to foreign countries.
Having dedicated May 24th as a national day of recognition for the AMT profession, the flying public is beginning to realize the important work you do. They know that having the safest transportation system available to them was no accident. It really began back in 1903 when Charles E. Taylor built the first aircraft engine for the Wright brothers and continues on to this day.
In closing, again we thank you for the job that you do each and every day and know that we are proud to represent you. Today is your day.
Fraternally,
Garry Drummond Director
Air Transport Division
Transport Workers Union, AFL-CIO