CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN

CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN

Over the last ten years, it has become apparent that not all of our government officials listen to their constituents, and those not all public employees listen to the people that they are hired to serve.   I believe it is called public service, isn’t it?

One case stands out in particular.  Certain Government officials were called to do a safety inspection.  They stated that it would not be a problem.  Great, no problem, right; BUT, they had to drive about 45 miles to do the inspection.  They decided that they would fly out to do the inspection, (OK fine we will be here,) in a helicopter.  As it turned out one of the inspectors was afraid to fly in a helicopter, so they were going to go fixed wing, would be out before noon on Thursday.  It took a week for this to happen.  They show up at 3:00 pm, in a Beachcraft Barron, a 12 mile trip by air. 

  

Greeting were exchanged, business cards traded, hands were shaken, a walk around was performed, comments as to the safety issues were noted, solutions and remedies were discussed, and departure was executed.  A safety inspection report would be done by the end of next week.

NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN.  

Continuous phone calls endless voice mail went on for a week.  Not a word about the inspection report, no one knew a thing about it.  Finally, after a receptionist explained that the she did not know why the individual was not answering his phone, he was sitting right next to it at his desk.   Looked up this guys boss, he did answer the phone.  He explained that the safety inspection had been sent to the Kansas City Office, and was no longer available in the St Louis Office.   The Boss had a very “concerned” tone to his attitude, and made it very clear that this was the end of this issue.  

Called The Kansas City Office, they knew nothing about a safety inspection, did not know of one that was sent from St. Louis, did not know the person in St. Louis that could find it, NOTHING.  

Not too long after that, the condition that caused concern returned, and an aircraft incident happened.   An aircraft ended up inverted, and severely damaged due to the conditions that existed and warranted the complaint and inspection in the first place.   

So, due to the experience with the first situation, a discussion was held, and was concluded that the aircraft should be removed as quick as possible, and put out of sight were no one could see it, and not say a word to anyone.   As it turned out, that was the best action for everyone concerned. 

This was the first of many to follow experiences of dealing with a public servant.