Any disagreement on an issue that touches so deep can rapidly become an emotionally based argument vs a fact based argeument.

I have no real dog in this fight and have personally avoided making any comments on it because of the flammability....until now.

My entire family has been in aviation, both military and civilian for three generations. I am an airline pilot and work with a very broad spectrum of airline pilots through my military reserve job from long before Sept 11th. I've seen my friends lose their jobs and come back to the reserve snivelling for every man-day they can get just to pay the bills. Many of them are still furloughed. I have heard both sides of the story from the jumpseat and over a beer (I'll drink a beer with anyone...I might even buy).

My only comment, and I'll stand by this, is my informal poll has yet to find a non-US Air pilot that isn't dumbfounded by the acts and statements of the US Air pilots.

On the other hand, every US Air pilot that I've discussed this with has almost instantly become rabidly angry as soon as the subject comes up. Basically it makes it impossible to talk to them because they're so angry that the only people who will discuss this issue with them either already agree or are looking for a fight.

I'm not looking for a fight, just sharing my observations.