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For 75 Years, a Mechanic Has Helped Keep Planes Aloft

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Azriel Blackman, an airline mechanic for American Airlines, is not allowed to climb ladders, drive on the airfield at Kennedy International Airport or even use any tools. That’s understandable — Mr. Blackman turns 92 next month. (www.nytimes.com) और अधिक...

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mattwestuk
Matt West 29
The last of a generation. A life long employee who has dedicated his life to a company because they did the same for him for three quarters of a century.

Sadly there are few, if any, companies left today that honor that kind of commitment. Consider how many mergers he has witnessed and yet has remained dedicated. How many of his colleagues has he witnessed shed over the years due to downsizing?

With the loss of Mr Blackman I honestly believe American will lose the last of its old guard. It will signify the true passing of commitment to staff and customers to the bottom line driven airlines of today.

America will truly miss the likes of him.
augerin
Dave Mathes 9
...well said Matt, well said...
jbermo
jbermo 13
sparkie624
sparkie624 8
Here is a Much Better version of the Article, that I wanted to post, but FA said the link was broken, but it works fine for me:
96-Year-Old Celebrates 80 Years Working At American Airlines - https://www.google.com/search?q=American+Airline+90+year+old+Mechanic&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS959US959&oq=American+Airline+90+year+old+Mechanic&aqs=chrome..69i57.14739j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
LeanderWilliams
Leander Williams 5
Thanks for the link. I was able to watch the news clip. Great story.
SmittySmithsonite
SmittySmithsonite 8
Thanks, Sparkie. Stupid New York Times. The day I give that toilet-paper-paper money will be the day hell freezes block solid.
Berlich
Barry Erlich 4
Agreed. I used to use the NYT and the WP as fish wrap but no longer---the dead fish started to complain. If the Times and Post could figure out a way to charge someone extra for using it as a fish wrap....they would!
LeanderWilliams
Leander Williams 6
The Washington Post is another one that wants you to pay to read. Not in this lifetime.
d0ugparker
Doug Parker 3
Agreed. FYI, last time I visited, it had solidified.
djames225
djames225 2
Thanks Sparkie Here is another, albeit late, article about AA naming a triple 7 in his honour.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/american-airlines-dedicates-boeing-777-91-year-mechanic/story?id=48699313

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

augerin
Dave Mathes 2
...sorry Sparkie...THAT WAS NOT MEANT FOR YOU...it should supposed to be under the Keswisk post...
avionik99
avionik99 7
This site needs a "Delete comment" option! Why can't we get that? As much as Flightaware wants us to believe how high tech they are this is ridiculous!
augerin
Dave Mathes 2
sparkie624
sparkie624 3
That would work, but I would rather see an Edit Comment Feature!
djames225
djames225 5
Know how you feel, Dave. Crap wrong person/spot. Delete comment, delete comment dele...oh dang it...no delete comment button.
augerin
Dave Mathes 3
...yea man, I was desperately looking for the delete button...
stevegordonhorne
Steve Horn 0
Or maybe just never post things like "what the fuck is wrong with you?" Then you don't have to worry about it going awry.
augerin
Dave Mathes 3
..ah Steve, those they know me know I'm not politically correct especially when it comes to my opinions which I will always stand behind...I found the Keswick post mildly insulting to a man that dedicated his life to his profession...cheers
augerin
Dave Mathes 1
Cleffer
Cleffer -2
nasdisco
Chris B 6
If he adds value keep him working,

Just wish this article wasn't behind a paywall
nasdisco
Chris B 6
Non paywall article https://www.traveller.com.au/worlds-longest-working-airline-mechanic-guinness-world-records-american-airlines-azriel-blackman-gxe1h3
sparkie624
sparkie624 3
Sorry about that... When I posted the news article I never saw any indication of that... I have a couple other versions that I will post.
LeanderWilliams
Leander Williams 1
Here's a tip to use in the future when you get that. Just take the subject and Google it and you will be directed to free sources.
jrgp1
Jose R Gonzalez 9
To read news sourced from NYT reader needs to subscribe to NYT. I will not subscribe to NYT rven for free. Suggest Flight Aware to use other source of news.
sparkie624
sparkie624 4
I usually do not either... I do not subscribe and won't... New Link Coming out.
CWR0747
Chuck Reti 1
And I will stay off your lawn.
brycevandyke
Bryce Van Dyke 2
He was going to retire and travel with his wife but she passed before that could happen, which is why he is still working. While technically still employed he is on medical leave.
cmuncy
Chris Muncy 2
paywall free link https://abcn.ws/3O4GI8I
augerin
Dave Mathes 2
....come on folks, I need just 2 more down votes to have my misplaced post removed...and KUDOs to Mr. Blackman...a man who's done more with his life than most...rock on, wrenchman!
ftldave
Dave Underwood 3
Always thought it's rather pitiful, actually sad, if a person has nothing of interest, nothing to do outside of work-on-the-job. No disrespect at all to long, dedicated service like this great guy achieved. But that AIN"T all there is to life, folks. I won't have any trouble doing the things I want to do after I get my piece of retirement cake and bye-bye hearty handclasp on the way out.
sparkie624
sparkie624 4
Some People their Job is all they have... Many live alone, and not much to do... I am Happy for him and sad for him at the same time. Personally I love my Job, but at the same time, I know what I am going to do when I retire and it is not long off!
DonDengler
DonDengler -3
You aren’t “happy” about anything in life so cut the crap.
augerin
Dave Mathes 2
sparkie624
sparkie624 1
What comment is that... I am a very happy person all the time... My statement is that I know a lot of people that are not!
augerin
Dave Mathes 3
...common' parkie, it's "air bunny"...what do you expect?...she's just a bad wet start...
DonDengler
DonDengler -1
DonDengler
DonDengler -5
Sparkles you have all the answers
For everyone else’s life. Those who have that attitude, have no answer for their own life.
djames225
djames225 3
Apparently you have all the answers as well, for us "retired" folk.

Airgoddess1 - "For those who don’t like President Trump’s quote , it is proven fact. When people retire they lose their Purpose. Their brains atrophy. Their zest for life dies and then they do. Gardening and playing pickle ball just doesn’t cut it. You’ll see."
augerin
Dave Mathes 3
...yea, I've been retired over 20 years and I'm still the vibrant asshole I've always been...!!
djames225
djames225 3
And our birians hasnt a trophyed

I mean yeah..and our brain's haven't atrophied
DonDengler
DonDengler -6
How does Underwood know what this employee does in his days off? This was a nice article. Let it be. And go do your fun things unless passing comments on a website is all you can do to entertain yourself
KineticRider
Randy Marco 2
Really..... All YOU do is spew your crap all over websites!
mattchip
Matt Collins 1
Hopefully, he at least gets positive space passes.
DonDengler
DonDengler -1
Oh you’re so funny. Who wants to fly anywhere in these crummy times.
sparkie624
sparkie624 2
Depends on how you fly... Commercially No Way... Private Plane... Lets go... I'm ready
Jet213
Jim Nichols 1
where is the kewisk post? Idid not see it.
Jet213
Jim Nichols 1
deingy
David Ingram 1
If you keep insulting me with these "subscribe to read" articles, I'll just go away.
DonDengler
DonDengler -1
For those who don’t like President Trump’s quote , it is proven fact. When people retire they lose their
Purpose. Their brains atrophy. Their zest for life dies and then they do. Gardening and playing pickle ball just doesn’t cut it. You’ll see.
djames225
djames225 5
To that quote, I say BS. I know plenty of retired folk, myself included, who have not lost our purpose, our brains function great (no atrophy at all) and have a great zest for life.
DonDengler
DonDengler -1
Goodie for you. Tee bee
djames225
djames225 3
It isn't just me! Gardening and playing pickle ball?? Some people love to be able to just relax after years of work torture, so as you told Sparkie, just cut the crap!!
jbsimms
James Simms 1
There are cases where Army/Air Force/Navy… General or Admiral level Officers & very Senior Non Commission Officers retire after 35+ years in, then pass away not long after retiring. They never developed interests either just before retirement or after leaving the service
nardincynthia
cynthia nardin 0
Guess Biden retired decades ago!
hitech49
John Day 0
Not really on topic, but why post a link to a story that takes you to The New York Times’ subscription firewall?
sparkie624
sparkie624 4
As noted below, when I first posted it, it did not give me a Pay Wall and I will not pay to read the news... Especially from the new york times
DonDengler
DonDengler -7
Good for him. As President TRUMP says, “to retire is to expire “. I meet too many people who haven’t worked in years since retiring. They look old, minds aren’t sharp and talk about how old they are. Keep on working,
Sir!
augerin
Dave Mathes 2
...you need to expire...
KineticRider
Randy Marco 2
TRE45ON needs to be in jail.

[This comment has been downvoted. Show anyway.]

sparkie624
sparkie624 13
He obviously loves his work... But personally I am already planning my retirement from maintenance even though I love my Job.. Deciding on 65 or 70...
augerin
Dave Mathes 1
..stay happy my brother!!..
DonDengler
DonDengler -1
Too young. You’ll go nuts. Guaranteed
KineticRider
Randy Marco 2
Guaranteed YOU are nuts!
augerin
Dave Mathes 3
...yea, air bunny is a bad trip...
bentwing60
bentwing60 9
Hey, KK, lighten up a bit! 'Sir Blackman' has probably done more for his community than 95% of the ivy league debt holder graduates this year will ever produce! Seems once again someone here wants to prove that "there is no joy in mudville-mighty Casey has struck out". It ain't so!

https://poets.org/poem/casey-bat
Cleffer
Cleffer 4
Some guys retire and just die. Working keeps them alive. There are countless examples of that, unfortunately.
DonDengler
DonDengler 4
Kevin Kewkck. Should have a cognitive ability test himself.
augerin
Dave Mathes 1
...air bunny, isn't this like your 1st + column post?...

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