The good old days only existed for the very very senior...hell I know several retired TWA guys who sat "side saddle".... for you young guys that means "on the panel".... oh...sorry... FLIGHT engineer for more than 15 years before upgrading to the right seat and who barely upgraded to left before retirement..... and it wasnt just TWA.

This business is tough. Its more of a lifestyle than a career. If you dont like the lifestyle.... the job will never make you happy. People were furloughed in this business in every decade imaginable... even in the "good old days".....

NO.. its not the business of 10 years ago.. or 30 years ago.... its a rapidly changing monster that probably cant be tamed... and NO I dont think mergers and culling will make it better..... That sort of thing has been going on for decades as well... and every time the industry contracts a bit... a bunch of new airlines open up shop. Pick well .... life is grand... if your pick sucks... lifes a biatch. But really...isnt it that way in life... for everyone......

I dont have the answers.... hell If I had picked the right "door" 16 years ago Id be on easy street... but I didnt ... but I sure as hell cant change that decision... so now I play the hand dealt me and work for change.