cac737, I think that you are off base. There are undoubtedly some "ab initio types" out there, but I think that many of them have been weeded out by this point. Most of the people in the industry by this point, in my experience anyway, are veterans of at least one airline (with the exception of the regional one-company guys).
I do think that your comments hold true for society at large. We have been so prosperous for so long that we've lost much of our drive and replaced it with a sense of entitlement. In a sense, the credit crunch may be good for our national psyche. With the absence of easy credit, we will be forced to work and save for what we want, rather than just charging it. That is not to say that the adjustment will be easy or pleasant.
about me:
37
3 jet companies
1 furlough
3 careers
2 kids
1 wife