[ccjohnson]

Update: Ransom paid hostage is back home in our garage. I had my banker call Stewart Stevenson while I was in his office this morning. He stated that they NEVER called the bank. The would would have certainly OK'd the check had they called. Next he offered a letter of credit & guarantee for the check. No dice. By this time he was also p*****. "I think we should pack the suitcase" was his remark. Stewart Stevenson said they would call back to acknowledge if it would be acceptable for a "cashier's check". The call did not come. The banker had the girls in the back start preparations to pack the suitcase. The only issue was; this is a small town bank & it is fair weekend. The supply of 1$ bills was a bit tight. It would require most of the cash to be in 20$. I called Stewart Stevenson as one last effort to get the issue resolved. I told them time was getting short & I needed to know whether to bring a "cashiers check" or suitcase full of cash. He said he thought a "cashiers check" would work. I told him I would be in El Paso with one or the other not sure which. The banker said he could get all 1$ for next week if I wanted. We then drove to Stewart Stevenson in El Paso. The look we got was priceless when we walked in with my briefcase in hand. I asked the manager "do you want your money here in your office or out in cashiers counter?" I oppened the briefcase & handed him the "cashier's check" and informed him that if there was a problem with it I would be back next Thursday with 2K in nickles, 2K in dimes, 2K in quarters and the balance in 1$ bills. ( a tad north of 20K total). They accepted the check. The manager tried to apologize & explain that his hands were tied by the new central authority structure of Stewart Stevenson. I told him if that is true he needs to be given authority from upper management to make decisions at the branch office level & have them stand behind his judgement. At any rate the engine ran & sounded great on the way home. I am preparing to pen letters to FMCA & Good Sam. I think I will follow your suggestions & include CEO's of SS & DD. Thank you all for your support in this matter, and tolerating my occasional "venting". Once again I just want to be perfectly clear, this issue of check decline was NEVER from my bank. It was strictly a SS move.