"Kid, run don't walk from this train wreck" ..........
Thanks in advance for the real replies.
I remember standing at the curb waiting for the hotel van to pick us up after a long day. I called the Code-a-Phone to kill a few minutes, only to hear of the furlough announcement. A quick calculation in my head, indicated this might get to me this time.
15 years at one airline was about to come to an end. 15 years of filling the walls of my office with Piedmont and US Airways "Stuff" was about to end. On a middle shelf, next to a worn out speedbird license plate, was an unopened 1985 can of "Piedmont Punch" . I could almost hear the can asking me what had happened.
The world had come to an end, as it seemed at the time.
Just before the furlough I was able to get a corporate flying job, thanks to the help of another furloughee. We moved, to be closer to the new job.
Quickly, my wife found a job in her field, making about twice the money. Not long after that JetBlue called, etc.
While, the furlough seemed tough at first, it's the best thing that could have happened. It forced me to move along in life. I had found myself in a more relaxed town with better schools, and at a better job.
For the moment, I still have recall rights, but would never go back. We have no retirement and no seniority to go back to.
We all have different stories, and different life situations. One must decide based on "your story".
If you go back, it may work out great for you, and I hope it does. All I can suggest is that you decide based on what you see there now, and not on any future promises or A/C orders.
If you get the letter and the big descision must be made to return or resign, do so with dignity and move on with life.
Good luck to everyone.
DW
