In addition to a global, once-in-a-century pandemic, 2021 has also brought severe weather throughout the world. In the United States, wildfires and hurricanes have become more damaging than ever. Long after the news media moves on to the next weather event, communities are still recovering. Chapter LA3 President Rob Gordon, who works in New Orleans, submitted this first person account of how his PASS brothers and sisters pulled together across bargaining units to help members in need.
After Hurricane Ida passed through southern Louisiana [making landfall on August 29, 16 years after Hurricane Katrina], we were all able to assess any damage to our homes and start checking in so the agency knew our status. Shortly after that, PASS SSC rep Tim Lindsey in Texas reached out to us and said he was bringing supplies such as food and water. Tim also coordinated with Chad Baglio, the SSC rep in New Orleans, who kept him current on the situation. With the assistance of the Lafayette SSC techs, members Jason Maroon and Clyde Hunt, the supplies made it to us. Then a few days later they were joined by member Mike Lilley with more water for us as they were bringing in fuel for our GOVs. Those of us who did not need to evacuate or were able to come to work, showed up to start restoring equipment damaged by the storm, with the aid of F&E, FMP and T-Staff. The supplies coming in from our PASS brethren were also shared with the facilities maintenance personnel who were sent to help.
During this time, Chapter FL1 President [and incoming Region II vice president] Doug Lowe was in constant contact with me to offer his help however we needed it.
When I was able to take a breather, I started reaching out to the Baton Rouge SSC and Flight Standards District Office (FSD) reps to get status of their employees. I told them I did not care if they were PASS members or not, just please find out if ANYONE needs anything, and I will do my best to help them out. Everyone contacted seemed to be in good shape and did not want supplies—they felt that there was bound to be others who needed it more. That was when I was informed of PASS member Myron Billiot’s status and reached out to him. He desperately needed supplies. Those of us who were reporting in at New Orleans all agreed that we were not in need of the amount of food and water that was graciously given to us, so I loaded up and redistributed these items to Myron and his family. (I also stole some Yoo-hoos from my kids because what kid doesn’t love Yoo-hoo!) It really touched me how grateful they were for what I brought, but they still needed a few more items that we could not get in the area.
So my wife made a trip to Mobile, Alabama, to pick up fresh food, as well as some toys for Myron’s two-year-old nephew. The next day, I made a second trip for more fresh food. Myron and his family are truly wonderful people, and it was my pleasure to meet them and help them however I could.
Myron Billiot picks up the story from here:
I am a fairly new ASI Airworthiness inspector at the Baton Rouge FSDO. I live in Raceland, Louisiana and was in almost the direct path of Hurricane Ida. My family and I decided to ride out the storm—not to be brave but to try to protect our investments. We believed our brick home would protect us from the winds and rain from Ida and for the most part, it did. The storm’s winds pounded us for about 10 hours, first from one direction then through the eye of the storm. Then the winds changed direction, something we never experienced before. We suffered some major damage to our roof and sheds, and our boat was destroyed, but we were unharmed.
Throughout the storm, my management team and fellow ASIs were in constant contact with me to ensure our safety since we had lost power and cell phone service. After the storm, a fellow ASI brought us 75 gallons of fuel for our generator. He also brought much needed supplies. Then we received a message that PASS wanted to know if any members were in need and what those needs were. We put in a wish list of items that were running out and a couple of days later, our PASS angel, Rob Gordon showed up with more supplies than we could have imagined. My wife could not believe her eyes. Every day, she would get up early to wait in long lines for enough water to last us a day. One thing we realized, even with our healthy savings account, if there are no supplies to be purchased, all the money will not bring them in. My wife and I are volunteers by nature, helping after the storms in Lake Charles, Panama City, Florida, and Denham Springs, Louisiana so this was new territory for us. We were also caring for my 82-year-old mother-in-law, my 66-year-old brother (who had medical issues and had to be hospitalized and spent days in ICU), my younger brother, his wife and their two-year-old son, who were all dependent on our providing for them. The second day that PASS came with more supplies was just as great, they even thought about the two-year-old and brought him some goodies as well!
My sales pitch for PASS as a dues-paying member would be look at what PASS did for me. Look at what my wonderful wife did not have to continue doing. When she would go for ice after the PASS angel made his deliveries, she was proud to tell the National Guardsmen who offered her MREs or water to keep them for someone who needed them. I know that this is just a small portion of what PASS does for its members, but its small acts like this that makes differences in people’s lives. I am proud to be part of the FAA and equally proud to be a dues paying member of PASS.
Being in a union is about more than workplace rights and a collective bargaining agreement. It’s about solidarity and looking out for one another. It’s about showing up. PASS members do that every day, no matter the situation. Thanks to Rob Gordon and everyone who helped Brother Myron and his extended family. And thanks to Brother Rob’s kids who ‘donated’ their Yoo-hoo to a good cause, whether they knew it or not!
