This past week, as a FedEx pilot based in Memphis, I experienced the difficulty of being "on my own." Once again.
My 1995 Saturn’s air conditioner broke down, and it is HOT in Memphis in June. I’m flying at night from Laredo, TX, back to Memphis. From Laredo, I call ahead to see if the repair shop could take my car that next morning.
My plan: I would land at midnight in Memphis and leave on my next flight that afternoon. I had from early that morning to 1:00 pm for my car to be fixed.
This past week, as a FedEx pilot based in Memphis, I experienced the difficulty of being "on my own." Once again.
My 1995 Saturn’s air conditioner broke down, and it is HOT in Memphis in June. I’m flying at night from Laredo, TX, back to Memphis. From Laredo, I call ahead to see if the repair shop could take my car that next morning.
My plan: I would land at midnight in Memphis and leave on my next flight that afternoon. I had from early that morning to 1:00 pm for my car to be fixed.
After going to sleep at 1:00 am, I drove over and stood in line for the place to open at 7:30 am. I made it clear that I had to pick up my car at 1:00 pm so that I would be at work on time.
At 12:45, I borrowed a bike and pedaled the couple of miles to the auto repair place. Surprise, surprise, the car was in the middle of getting fixed, and if they had to move it at the time, it would destroy the engine.
Then, I pedaled back, and got ready for work (I never quit sweating in the 96 degree heat). The repair shop guy came and picked me up in the nick of time to get to work before take off.
The bottom line, when you are "on your own," life stinks. I like my life in South Carolina, where you can count on your family, friends, and neighbors.
I am a big believer that we are all in this together, and life is much better when we can rely on each other instead of going it alone.