This is EXACTLY why I feel torn between federal work and the airlines! I've got it great (from all logical perspectives) to stay at the governemnt, yet I am always drawn back to the airlines. After 9 years on furlough, I still feel the airline "family" is much more appreciative and welcoming then any other group. It is in no way an easy decision, but one that has come with much thought and planning that leads me to believe the airlines STILL offer the most bang for the buck! I've done the private industry, I've done the federal side, but I am always lead back to the airlines. For better or worse, I believe we can still make this a great career (as I have 30 years riding on this) and don't want to be a cheerleader, but have this within our grasp. I am so not the company man, nor have I been with the government, but truly believe we are at the crossroads of a decisive point in all our careers. We either stick together and make this a career we can all be proud of or we falter, and I stick with my 9-5 gig and dream of what couldn have been!
My final chapter has yet to be written, I'd love to come back to the airlines, but unless something drastically changes in the contract arena, I'll stay put and ride my career out as a has been,washed up pilot.
As for the free beers, I still bleed TWA red and AA blue, so any free beer is a good beer!