Every time I hear a lUal pilot spluttering that their career expectations were to retire as a Widebody Captain (even if they're currently on furlough) I have a flashback to flying at Express with all the Riddle Grads with SJS, all bent out of shape because the airline didn't realize they were "God's Gift to Flying" and we should just get out of their way and give up everything to them.

You may have expected the retire as Widebody Captains, but I know a lot of pilots going far back in history who had their expectations crushed by mergers.

Any ex-Pan Am pilots here care to chime in?