Anyone ever worked the last day of operation?
 

Hey all-

My roommate and I were talking the other night and had a curious thought: What would it be like to work for an airline on its last day of operation (i.e. TWA, Big Sky, ACA, etc.)? I'm just curious as to whether it's kinda fun, kinda depressing, or a little bit of both...and also what keeps one hanging on until the very last day.

Depends on how much notice you have before the closing and if you have a job waiting in the wings.


I was depressed (geez, I gotta start from scratch again) and nervous (where can I find my next job).

Why stay do the bitter end? Because I had not FOUND the next job.

My Record (all 135):
1. Was sold. My base closed. Could have moved at my expense.
2. On the 29th of the month, we were told the doors would close on the first.
3. Company still in business but downsized fro m 60+ pilots to 6. I closed three bases.

In short, if you are there the last day, life sucks for you!

I didn't work the last day of operation, but I was there for it. (I was furloughed from ACA/IDE about 7 months before the shutdown).

I spent the day out in the terminal and ramp areas (don't ask how that worked out...) with the crews and agents and enjoyed the time with friends, despite how bittersweet the day was.

At the end of the day, I organized a "little get together" that has turned into an annual reunion. The night the airline closed we had so many people at the "afterparty" that the bar where it was at had a 2 hr line to get in the door (on a weekday no less).

It's depressing to lose your job that way, and it was depressing for me, even though I had already found a better gig (employment wise)...

can i let you know in about 3 weeks?

This was at a part 135 op. Boss called me late on the night of Nov 29, told me they needed my time card early the next day, ok no problem. Then I get "oh yeah, by the way, tomorrow is our last day, fly the plane up here and we will drive you home(5hours) It turned into a fiasco of a day, starting with the breaking of the hangar door at 5 am and it just got worse from there. It was pretty sad being there in the final death throws but it was at least nice to tell every one goodbye

I heard Indepence Air guys were happy and loyal until the last flight. It's too bad they didn't make it. Nice folks.

My dad was actually flying when Pan Am ceased operating. There were only three passengers on the flight (747), and the crew was escorted off the plane by military personnel. They knew it was coming, but nobody expected to be unemployed so soon.

I truthfully don't think that there are any employees that wouldn't relive the experience as opposed to being bought out by Mesa or staying a United Express carrier. While the implementation of IDE failed on a financial level, to me the operation was a success, and something that every employee was proud of and took ownership of.

We still get together once a year. The last reunion in January drew about 350 people, and it was just like walking back into the crew room or operations. Not very many companies that I've worked for or seen have/had the comraderie that we did at ACA/IDE.

It is a real mixed bag of emotions. For me lots of very good memories, sorta like shutting down a military unit.:( Made, and still have, what will probably be life long friends. :cool:

And why praytell were they escorted off the a/c?bit of an odd reaction if you ask me or anyone else who would think this is odd .


Your tips are my salary!