Finally, your gracious and generous concession on the subject of complimentary cocktail peanuts, making a one-time offer of not one but two free packages to hungry union negotiators, was a brilliant tactical move. Painted into a corner by your wily maneuver, the leaders of the Flight Attendants Association had no choice but to compromise, and the day was saved. Unfortunately, we both know that labor peace is not permanent. The company could find itself in this position again. Shooting paper clips is one thing.
Human beings are something altogether different.
Our effort to get selected planes airborne without benefit of pilots or service personnel was courageous, but misguided. Flight 505 from Pittsburgh to Washington is ready for take-off. Just then, I felt the plane suddenly lift up. Looking out over the wing, I saw what appeared to be three hundred men in shackles carrying the plane down the runway, breaking into a steady jog as we approached the Parkway West. Unorthodox perhaps, but effective.