Although no one wants negotiations to come down to a strike, at times we are left with no other options. Throughout this process, I have kept hearing the words "support" and "solidarity", and now I know exactly what they represent. I was part of the crew stuck in <st1><st1:country-region w:st="on">Venezuela</st1:country-region></st1> on 08/27/09 as a result of a work stoppage with our company Amerijet. After a period of approximately 30 hours, we made our way from LSP to CCS. Shortly after our landing in <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Caracas</st1:city></st1>, and an unfortunate failed attempt to get home with ARROW, we came in contact with Scott Hegland (International Brotherhood of Teamsters Representative) and Ivan Rivera (Head of Communications Committee for APA). These two gentleman, along with many others behind the scene I am sure, worked from about 11:30 pm on 08/28/09 to about 11 am on 08/29/09 in trying to get us home on American Airlines.
All of the flights (4) that day had been oversold, and there were numerous passengers on stand by. This of course, made the task a bit more difficult. Also, the ticket agents in <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Caracas</st1:city></st1>, especially Ashtrid and her supervisor (sorry but did not get a chance to get his name), were very courteous and worked very hard to get us on a flight.<o></o><o></o>
At around 10 am, when most hopes of getting out had vanishing, Ivan Rivera was able to communicate with Captain Brian Phil (sorry if name is misspelled). He was flying out on the 11:20 am to MIA. Upon arrival at the airport, he approached me and with his help, we were able to secure 4 seats out of <st1><st1:city w:st="on">Caracas</st1:city></st1>. I also would like to thank Captain Steven Rodican, First Officer Mark Wilson and the rest of the crew on our flight back to MIA. They were all very courteous and supportive of us.
<o></o><o></o>This experience is a first for me and many of us at Amerijet. I learned yesterday, what the words "we support you" and "solidarity" really mean. I don't have enough words of gratitude to express how much I and the rest of the crew appreciate what we experienced. I will always be indebted to you and want to say THANK YOU for your support. If our management cared about its employees as much as what these strangers demonstrated to us, we wouldn't be in this position today. Once more, thank you.