This is an excellent point, and something I've struggled with over the years.

My Dad was with USAir, (via Mohawk and Allegheny) so I grew up with that company. He was always so proud of the company. We had USAir shirts, and hats, and decals on our cars. Even a cassette tape with the USAir Begins With You tv commercial song that he played in the car. The company was almost like a member of the family.

When I went to work there it was the only company I ever truly considered. The only place I wanted to work for. I could not have been more proud than I was to follow in my father's footsteps. When I was furloughed it hit me hard. I felt betrayed.

Then when the recall notice finally came 7 years later, I struggled with the decision. Even after everything that had happened I felt this obligation - this emotional connection to that company.

When I finally turned down the recall I second guessed my decision every day. I still do. Those emotional connections are hard to break.

Now I find myself feeling the same way here. Maybe a Stockholm syndrome kind of thing?

The fact is that for a lot of people (not Whack) this is in fact the brass ring. It is the culmination of a lifetime of work and sacrifice to get here. So the notion that it can be taken away through no fault of their own IS emotional. We all want our team to win and, to some extent would be willing to sacrifice to make that happen. But there has to be a limit to that sacrifice. We can't work for free, obviously. So any concession must come with restitution.

At the end of the day, if they choose to furlough it will lift the veil on this notion that there is a unique culture and help people to realize that it is just another airline, no better or worse than any other. Once you realize that, it's cathartic. Because you can then make business decisions during your furlough.

If the prom Queen says maybe she'll dance with you later, do you sit around and wait? Or go find someone else to dance with?

USAir was my prom Queen and I still think of her fondly, but I found someone else to dance with. And if SWA decides to leave me, well there are other fish in the sea and accepting recall is not a foregone conclusion.

Our careers are no less perishable than bananas in a grocery store. Every day is one day closer to age 65. I don't intend to waste them waiting for a recall that may not come for another lost decade.

When you think about furloughs and recalls like that, you break the hold they have on you.

And there is a silver lining. Maybe some of the arrogance displayed by some of our guys will be tempered by the reality that we have no control over where this career takes us. That's all in the hands of the gods of aviation misfortune.


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