SQUAWK!

It's funny to me how airplane jargon mimics birds. When planes need something, a SQUAWK happens, and then a bunch of guys get to work! These are pictures of what happens every 100 hours on a plane (they go by HOBBS instead of an odometer, which equates to hours in the air). I'm learning more about the mechanics of airplanes than I probably wanted to know...but it's the way I learn how to create systems that work for the folks who are going to have to use them.

I get my fingers dirty. I just pulled parts for an engine rebuild. When I used to sell high-end bikes, while the frame was being built and designed (about 4-6 weeks before it arrived to the shop), I'd get busy pulling all the components out of inventory...and then order anything we didn't have in stock. This way by the time the frame arrived, the build kit was ready to roll and the mechanics could build the bike with no downtime waiting for parts and such. Seems pretty much like a common sense thing, but it also requires someone to plan/forecast. Or else a system to flag you that it's time. And downtime for these babies equals mega-charter-bucks.

My oh my this is a big job. Forget about the billing and financial record keeping and the FAA regulations and the Feds in general, or customer relations end of things. Sigh. I love it though. I'm already at the "flow-chart-phase", and if you think you're getting alot of information, at least you don't have my status reports! The good news is that "I'm one of the guys" already. They feel free to joke and kid and say bad words in front of me and I feel like I am right at home.

Mike left for Minneapolis today with guys from work, and I am following him tomorrow. We're staying at the downtown Hilton and then Mike and I are extending our trip for a long 4-day weekend. Today the weather was fabulous. If I didn't need to spend some long-over-due hound time with Sydney, I would have gone for a ride after work. Nice weather days, when you have to work, are annoying. Especially when they are so few and far between. But, we'll get to eat this month. Checks and balances. I will make the most of a trainer ride in the basement. Tomorrow it's supposed to only get to a high of 21F. I was hoping to go run with Sydney in the morning at Camden, but I am not sure how cold it will be. Sigh.

So, if I SQUAWK loud enough---I wonder if the weather guy will listen and give me a mild morning or not? Girls are always called birds...so SQUAWKing ought to come pretty naturally for me. Give it up Joni!

I made my first week....how about that? Have a wonderful weekend.