Speaking of work I guess I should give a little background on myself for those who are interested.

I've always had a fascination with computers, robotics, artificial intelligence and the like. In High School I took courses in Computer Maintenance for which I won the Ann Brannon award. Afterwards I attended I.T.T. Technical Institute here in Arlington, Texas and a few years thereafter I was hired as an employee by American Airlines. I started at the very bottom, literally sweeping the floors, but the benefits were better than any job I had held before even if the pay wasn't. After about 13 months I upgraded to a higher position as a Utility Man Plant Maintenance Facilities Services which I held until 1996. In April of 1996 I became a Plant Maintenance Man in the Automotive Department at DFW Airport.

Since my best friend Layne Bush and I used to tinker extensively with old muscle cars as teenagers and often helped out at his step-father's transmission shop while we were in High School together the test for this position was not too difficult to pass. I also tested for the facilities position that year but although I did have a background in electronics I didn't have enough general industrial, hydraulic and other knowledge at that time to pass the test in it's entirety. I worked in the Automotive Department at DFW until shortly after disaster hit on September 11th, 2001. By October 13th of that year I was working in the Auto Shop at HDQ after a short detour through Tulsa, Oklahoma. I worked there for about 6 months and bid into a Facilities Maintenance Plant Maintenance Man position in the spring of 2002 where I have been working ever since.

Since transferring to HDQ I have found the co-workers overall (with a few exceptions) easier to work with and much more willing to help out those of us who are trying to learn more and upgrade ourselves. I have been studying the systems in place at work, brushing up on my old training manuals from school and gathering technical specifications and data sheets on as much equipment as I can in an effort to teach myself as much as I can about the equipment around me. There is talk of an apprenticeship program in the works which will allow PMM employees the ability to upgrade to full mechanics but I'm not one to wait around when there are things I can do to prepare myself for the volatilities of today's job market.

American Airlines has been a great company to work for over the past 14 plus years but as 9/11 illustrated, there are no garauntees for what the future holds. In the company's efforts to cut costs our entire department could be contracted out in the next round of contract negotiations. The only way to ensure survival is to arm yourself with knowledge. Use every opportunity to learn skills which can make you valuable in the marketplace. You never know when you might need them. It's too easy to become complacent about a job that has always been there in the past. Always prepare for the worst, that way any surprises that come your way will more likely be pleasant ones.

- Troy Young