Thread: 75 Yr Seniority at AA? Yes started $.50 per hr. World Record..

American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) team member Azreil “Al” Blackman, an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Crew Chief based at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), celebrated 75 years of service with the airline today. At a ceremony at JFK today, the airline surprised him by dedicating a Boeing 777 in his honor. “I’m just honored to be here, I’m proud to be a mechanic. I’m proud to be part of the American Airlines team,” commented Blackman to a standing ovation.
“On behalf of Al’s more than 100,000 team members, we are honored to celebrate him and his milestone 75 years of service today,” said American’s Chairman and CEO, Doug Parker. “Al has worked on nearly every aircraft American has flown since the flying boats of the 1940s to the Boeing 777s of today. His hard work and dedication to train and mentor others and safely maintain our aircraft has made us a better airline.”
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS was also on hand to recognize Blackman with the Longest career as an airline mechanic title.
“I’m honored to present Al Blackman with the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title of Longest career as an airline mechanic. This achievement, which speaks to his vast knowledge in the subject and his dedication to the aviation industry, has helped him to become OFFICIALLY AMAZING™,” said Andrew Glass, official adjudicator for GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS.
When Blackman was just 16 years old he graduated from Aviation High School in Manhattan and took a job with American Airlines (American Export Airlines at the time) as an apprentice in the Sheet Metal Shop for $.50 an hour. During his 75 years with American Blackman has worked on some of aviation’s most fascinating aircraft. Although his shift technically starts at 5 a.m. Blackman arrives at the hangar just before 3 a.m. most days.
“When I first started as a junior mechanic Al was my crew chief and he was celebrating his 45^thanniversary. I thought to myself, ‘45 years with one company. That's amazing,’" commented Robert Needham, senior manager Aircraft Line Maintenance, JFK. “Here we are celebrating his 75^th, 30 years later, and it's just mind-blowing.”