Are you Calling the Shots that Count?

Today on a flight to Toronto we had an unexpected announcement. The Senior Service Director bob was retiring after 41 years with Air Canada.  The crew gave him a very sweet send off – this was his last week in flight – and everyone on the plane applauded. It was a very nice change to what you are normally subjected too over the in flight PA. And a retirement well deserved. My dad was 37 years with the same company before he retired, and Chris’  Dad had 1 employer – the Edmonton Public school board for over 30 years. As an “Xer” I understand that longevity and loyalty to one company is fairly standard with the “boomers”.

The announcement bothered me though.

Not because Bob was retiring, or because he had spent his whole career doing one thing but because of the way it was announced:

“we were just told this morning that Bab has been approved for retirement at the end of the week”

And, when I asked Bob about it (during the drink service) he said that he had “just found out this morning at 10:30 that his retirement had been approved.”

“Approved”?

I guess I never imagined myself in a profession where my leaving had to be “approved” by anyone.  If I want to retire, or quit,  I would like to make that decision on my own (with Chris).  I hope that life decisions like this can be made by the person they affect most –  me! Not by a company president, a VP or HR or a Union Boss who decides based on a magical formula who qualifies and who does not.

I guess that’s why I am an entrepreneur.

I am happy for Bob. He deserves the time off and not doubt he was an amazing member of the in flight crew. He provided awesome service on the flight tonight and the crew clearly adores him.

It’s just sad for me to think he worked for 41 years in a career where ultimately, he never called the shots that counted – the ones controlling his own life.

Thank god for sales!

Colleen