25 years ago today ....

Twenty-five years ago tonight I had been into Boeing, had my picture made for my badge, shown my birth certificate to prove who I was and that I was an American citizen, been fingerprinted for a security clearance (due to military work back then), and was getting myself ready for the first day on my new career - which began April 1, 1985.

So ...

Tomorrow (Thursday) is my 25th anniversary of working for Boeing and Spirit combined.

I guess the biggest thing to celebrate, particulary tomorrow, is the fact that I am still employed there.

Sadly, tomorrow is also the last day of working with a number of my long-time colleagues and (in many cases) friends. Many of our IT jobs have been outsourced. The transiton of those responsibilities is this Friday, making tomorrow the last day that quite a number of people will be working for Spirit. Some were fortunate and secured positions with the outsourcing suppliers or a different position in Spirit. Others did not.

Now you understand why I say that do "celebrate, particularly tomorrow, ... the fact that I am still employed there."

It is becoming a rare experience for someone to be with a company 25+ years - unless they own it. Just think of how many mornings I have driven to the same (well, roughly the same!) location. [For non-Wichitans, the original Boeing site, which now is comprised of Spirit and what is left of Boeing-Wichita, spans what would be several city blocks - roughly 1 mile by 2 miles.]

So, I do celebrate this personal milestone.

However, my celebration will be away from the office, not at it, due to the very unfortunate circumstances of the day at the office tomorrow.