An AA FO told me that TWA was a happening place when he was a 24 year old new hire (either late 80's or early 90's). Said there was lots of young FOs and young flight attendants. He explained some of the Thieves Whores and Alcoholics namesake went back to previous culture, but a lot of the fun atmosphere had to do with it being a company with lots of movement in the seniority system. He didn't speak about how sharp the crews looked in uniform, just about how much he liked his job. He'll be the first to admit times have changed, but still really likes flying airliners despite being a few hundred from the bottom at AA.

The same work rules that applied at TWA in the 90's apply to companies now. Maybe a cruddy economy has people holding onto jobs for far too long, and the lack of movement in seniority lists makes U. S. flag carriers stagnant and dull companies to work for? (Asks the military guy with no airline experience).