A pilot relayed this story to me once. He was doing a quick turn in L.A. The first officer (FO) and the captain discussed a division of duties so that all the things that needed to occur in the short 30 minutes they were scheduled to be on the ground would be accomplished. He was to do the walk around while the captain got the clearance and then the FO would begin the weight and balance calculations.

Once the inbound passengers had deplaned, he quickly hopped from his seat and went down the outside stairs to do the required walk around inspection. During his walk around, everything looked to be in good shape. He went back to the cockpit and began the weight and balance documentation.

As the gate agents prepared to board the passengers, the captain got the clearance. Everything seemed to be on track for the quick turn. Out of the blue, up the stairs from the ramp, came a mechanic from a rival airline. He said, "As I was driving by, I saw something leaking from your left engine. You might want to check that out." The FO jumped up again and went out to the engine where the mechanic pointed out the liquid he had seen dripping out of the bottom of the cowling and then the mechanic was on his way.

The indication on the ramp was only a small amount of moisture, so it had only just started to drip to the ramp, but there was no mistaking the odor. It was jet fuel. A fuel leak is never a good thing. As it turned out, the fuel pump had to be replaced.

When he told me this story, the pilot mentioned how grateful he was to this unknown mechanic, who was observant enough to notice the very beginnings of a leak, and who took the initiative to stop what he was doing at one of the busiest ramps in the world, and report what he had seen to the flight crew. The pilot never saw the mechanic again to say thank you, and added that he felt as if an angel had swooped down to save the day.

As we begin the new year, I want to take a moment to say thank you to all the mechanics accomplishing the important work in this industry. Thank you to each and every one of you who not only complete your work with meticulous care, but also find time to help others, as the mechanic in that story did.

Thank you to the experienced mechanics who know how to do even the most complicated tasks with ease, but take the time to show each step to a new mechanic, so the knowledge of a 30-year career can be shared and passed on to the new generation of technicians.

Thank you for not compromising any steps even while suffering through the heat of summer, the freezing cold winter, the rain, the snow, and all the combinations of weather that can make the work of maintaining an aircraft even more challenging.

Thank you for giving up your holidays. Thank you for working the night shift and for missing family time so that the aircraft is ready for departure first thing in the morning or whenever it is needed.

Thank you for continuing to learn new procedures, regulations, techniques, and systems so that time is saved, compliance is met, and all the systems on the aircraft are maintained. Thank you for improving your level of competency, on your own, without any regulatory requirement to do so, because you know it is the right thing.

Thank you for signing your name to the work you do and assuming the liability risk each and every time you put your signature in a logbook.

And for every mechanic that has swooped in like a guardian angel and saved the day for an unsuspecting flight crew and passengers, thank you for your integrity and for the passion with which you perform your duties.

We here at Aviation Maintenance wish all of you, who work in the maintenance industry, the very best in 2007 and hope this year brings you the good fortune and recognition you deserve!

We wish all of you the very best in 2007 and hope this year brings you the good fortune and recognition you deserve!