Anyone ever worked the last day of operation?
03-08-2008, 02:19 PM
#1
Swearing at the FMA
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: MD-88 FO
Posts: 902
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.
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.
03-08-2008, 03:14 PM
#2
Day puke
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Out.
Posts: 3,865
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 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!
03-08-2008, 03:34 PM
#3
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
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)...
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)...
03-09-2008, 10:27 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 129
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
03-09-2008, 02:03 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Polar Bear Food
Posts: 202
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.
03-09-2008, 05:02 PM
#8
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
Originally Posted by skidmark
I heard Indepence Air guys were happy and loyal until the last flight. It's too bad they didn't make it. Nice folks.
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.
Made, and still have, what will probably be life long friends. 
03-09-2008, 06:32 PM
#10
Retired
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: whale wrangler
Posts: 3,527
Originally Posted by Danzig
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.
Your tips are my salary!
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