I see a lot of guys/gals facing this stressful time with not a lot of optimism. I’ve been at 5 airlines and I’ve had some very stressful times. At 42 I moved into my parents basement with my wife and 2 young kids!

having survived the dot com bust, 9-11, SARS, GFC, and more, I’ve seen my different airlines suffer financial disasters that impacted my life in a financially negative way (but also with some positives). I think it’s the uncertainty that was most difficult to deal with. We are trained to approach a problem and “fix” it with a solution designed by engineers. These times are uncertain and it’s the complete unknown that induces such incredible stress. There is no “fix.”

I share this because as an older and wiser person I realize how I could have made things a little less stressful in those unknown times. Checking APC every 5 min for news or looking on company web boards won’t do anything for your sanity. The reality is we have very little control in life.

This time will pass and things will improve. I was flying at age 26 as a 767 copilot and I thought I had made it! Little did I expect that I’d still be a 767 copilot at 50 (with several airlines in between). Things have worked out okay and although it’s been a long road, I wouldn’t trade my history for a different one. The slower times had some benefits that I never anticipated. In the end, time passes, things pick up, and there is progression and you’re bidding with better seniority.

get off APC and walk the dog, go for a hike, or call a friend. I needed something a little more upbeat to read and so I’m reading “Lessons From Lucy,” by Dave Barry. It’s a fun read.

hang in there!