In a previous life I was an airline pilot. We have all heard, or read, some really funny stories that supposedly happened in the airline industry. I'm confident that at least some of them actually did occur. Today, however, recalling some of my more memorable experiences while engaged in that profession, I remembered one that has to be my all-time favorite. I can attest that it actually happened because it occurred on one of my flights.
While sitting at the gate in Los Angeles (LAX) and waiting for the Passenger Service Agent to bring the manifest and final paperwork, Linda, our First Class flight attendant entered the cockpit and closed the door behind her. Observing that she was blushing with extreme embarrassment, I asked her why she was taking refuge in the cockpit? She explained that since all the passengers were seated, she decided to take preliminary drink orders. While doing so, she said that she was very aware of an extremely handsome man sitting in her First Class cabin. Linda said that when she approached him, she looked into his incredibly beautiful blue eyes and asked, "After we drink, what would you like to take off?"
(Note: This story was first published in the January 1997 edition of Reader's Digest.)
"Be careful of your thoughts; they may become words at any moment." --Ira Gassen
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Learning Through Teaching
Today I was called upon to help an elderly lady from New Jersey buy and pump gasoline into her car. Several months ago I was surprised to learn that the State of New Jersey does not allow patrons to pump their own gasoline. Only an employee of a service station is allowed to do that. Consequently, I wasn’t totally shocked when the lady said she was traveling from New Jersey and asked if I could show her how to do it.
I could imagine teaching my granddaughter, or some other youngster how to refuel a car, but it never occurred to me that I would ever be asked to teach a senior citizen how to do that. I’ve been pumping gasoline since well before I was old enough to drive a car. In fact, I’ve even used an “Okie credit card” once or twice (for those of you unfamiliar with the term, it’s a siphon hose used to transfer fuel from one car to another…and that’s all I’m going to say about that.)
She was a quick and bright student and accomplished the task on the very first attempt. However, I did point out that when the pump computer asked for a zip code she should enter the zip code of her credit card billing address. The first time I was asked for the zip code while refueling a rental car in Florida my thought was, “How the heck would I know this zip code? I live in California!”
Ever curious, I wondered how many states other than New Jersey require “professionals” to pump gasoline. Thanks to an internet resource, I discovered that Oregon is the only other state that does not allow patrons to refuel their cars. I also learned something else in my search for knowledge. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires self-serve gasoline stations to provide equal access (someone to pump the gasoline) to their customers with disabilities, and without any charge beyond the self-serve price.
Once again, I was reminded that if you don’t walk in someone else’s shoes you really can’t appreciate where they have been or what obstacles they may encounter.
“It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.” – Hugh Prather
I could imagine teaching my granddaughter, or some other youngster how to refuel a car, but it never occurred to me that I would ever be asked to teach a senior citizen how to do that. I’ve been pumping gasoline since well before I was old enough to drive a car. In fact, I’ve even used an “Okie credit card” once or twice (for those of you unfamiliar with the term, it’s a siphon hose used to transfer fuel from one car to another…and that’s all I’m going to say about that.)
She was a quick and bright student and accomplished the task on the very first attempt. However, I did point out that when the pump computer asked for a zip code she should enter the zip code of her credit card billing address. The first time I was asked for the zip code while refueling a rental car in Florida my thought was, “How the heck would I know this zip code? I live in California!”
Ever curious, I wondered how many states other than New Jersey require “professionals” to pump gasoline. Thanks to an internet resource, I discovered that Oregon is the only other state that does not allow patrons to refuel their cars. I also learned something else in my search for knowledge. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires self-serve gasoline stations to provide equal access (someone to pump the gasoline) to their customers with disabilities, and without any charge beyond the self-serve price.
Once again, I was reminded that if you don’t walk in someone else’s shoes you really can’t appreciate where they have been or what obstacles they may encounter.
“It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.” – Hugh Prather
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Real Enemy
We are losing the war on drugs! Recently, three people working for, or married to employees of the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, were murdered. They were just three of the 5348 people in Juarez, and more than 18,000 people in Mexico, murdered since December, 2006. Of the 45,000 military troops Mexican President Felipe Calderon has committed to combat the murderous drug cartels south of the American border, 7,000 were deployed to Juarez, the export center for illegal drugs destined for the United States. It is here, the reputed murder capitol of the world, where rival drug cartels wage war for control of smuggling rights into the U.S. Since that time, tens of thousands of residents have left Juarez. More than 30,000 residents of Juarez have migrated to El Paso, TX, because of this violence. Juarez has seen more than one billion dollars in trade evaporate, thousands of businesses close, and unemployment escalate exponentially.
The U.S. government has committed $400 million per year to the Mexican government to stem the tide of illegal drugs crossing the border into our cities and homes. It is too little and too late. Unfortunately, the war on drugs was lost years ago. Why? Our government failed to recognize the real enemy. As the comic strip character Pogo declared, "We have met the enemy and they are us!"
For decades, many of our citizens have proclaimed that individual drug use is a victimless crime. I would argue that the statistics prove otherwise. As much as it pains me, I would not be surprised to learn that some of my friends, neighbors, and even members of my church and family are illegal drug users. Indirectly, these are the same people responsible for the drug related murders and economic ruin in Juarez and other cities around the globe where violent drug activity exists.
If we ever hope to stop this cancerous crime wave that is destroying nations, communities, and families, it is incumbent upon all of us to employ the first law of economics--supply and demand--in the war on drugs. The supply of drugs will dry up (along with the violent drug cartel wars) when we eliminate the demand for illegal drugs. It is a simple, uncomplicated, and extremely effective tactic that must be employed at the grass roots level. I suggest that it would be much more cost effective and beneficial to wage a wide-scale media campaign of public service announcements to educate people on the violent deaths, social, and economic ruin caused by their lust for illegal drugs.
If you are one of those people who still believes illegal drug use is a victimless crime, I would encourage you to do some research and reconsider your position. Until we recognize and target the real enemy in this war, we will continue to lose the war on drugs. And until we eliminate the demand for illegal drugs, the blood of our brothers and sisters throughout the world will continue to flow.
The U.S. government has committed $400 million per year to the Mexican government to stem the tide of illegal drugs crossing the border into our cities and homes. It is too little and too late. Unfortunately, the war on drugs was lost years ago. Why? Our government failed to recognize the real enemy. As the comic strip character Pogo declared, "We have met the enemy and they are us!"
For decades, many of our citizens have proclaimed that individual drug use is a victimless crime. I would argue that the statistics prove otherwise. As much as it pains me, I would not be surprised to learn that some of my friends, neighbors, and even members of my church and family are illegal drug users. Indirectly, these are the same people responsible for the drug related murders and economic ruin in Juarez and other cities around the globe where violent drug activity exists.
If we ever hope to stop this cancerous crime wave that is destroying nations, communities, and families, it is incumbent upon all of us to employ the first law of economics--supply and demand--in the war on drugs. The supply of drugs will dry up (along with the violent drug cartel wars) when we eliminate the demand for illegal drugs. It is a simple, uncomplicated, and extremely effective tactic that must be employed at the grass roots level. I suggest that it would be much more cost effective and beneficial to wage a wide-scale media campaign of public service announcements to educate people on the violent deaths, social, and economic ruin caused by their lust for illegal drugs.
If you are one of those people who still believes illegal drug use is a victimless crime, I would encourage you to do some research and reconsider your position. Until we recognize and target the real enemy in this war, we will continue to lose the war on drugs. And until we eliminate the demand for illegal drugs, the blood of our brothers and sisters throughout the world will continue to flow.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Fact or Fiction?
CNN reported today that an individual driving a Toyota Prius on a freeweay east of San Diego called 911 and alerted authorities to the fact that his Prius was accelerating out of control. Apparently the driver steered the vehicle at very high speeds for about 30 minutes before he was able to safely bring it to a stop. Just to be clear, I'm sure that I don't have all the pertinent information, and CNN failed to clearly explain how he managed stop the runaway vehicle. But what really bothers me is that when the driver was asked if he tried putting the transmission into "neutral", he replied that it would have been unsafe as he needed both hands just to steer his vehicle and avoid other cars and trucks on the freeway. Really?
So why would that have been less safe than calling 911 to report that his Prius was speeding out of control?
And while I am searching for answers, why did he not know that applying steady brake pressure and then shifting to "neutral" should have been the first two things he needed to do to rectify the situation? With all the press attention paid to runaway Toyotas for the last two months, as a Toyota owner, I'm amazed that any Toyota owner would not have taken the time to learn the appropriate emergency procedures to be followed in such a situation. However, for the benefit of those owners who have not, the following is an excerpt taken from a current www.Toyota.com FAQ page.
What if you experience a sticking accelerator pedal while driving?
Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota recommends taking the following actions:
• If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
• Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
• If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
o If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
o If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.
To be honest, I am very suspicious of this story, especially since it has been reported by a university professor that a faulty electronic fuel control will not provide an error code in this situation, thus eliminating the possibility of proving that such an occurrence did not occur. Consequently, in our litigious prone society, I would not be surprised to learn that this driver will soon be filing a huge lawsuit against Toyota for mental anguish for his "terrifying experience."
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