It's Saturday night as I write this.  Saturday night and man-o-man, all is not okay.

After writing hundreds of stories for Jumpseatnews, I've just plain run out of things to say.  The news headlines have been screaming "Bankruptcy Filing Likely".  The phone ringing off the hook with concerned relatives---

"No, I don't know what would happen to Companion passes if UAL goes bankrupt...leave me the f--k alone."

I've received so many e-mail messages that I've just plain switched the computer off.  I'm actually writing this article by hand, using a normal pen and paper for a change.  It feels good.

It seems like ages since I wrote "I Love to Fly".  Ironically, I was optimistic then.  I'm not anymore.  There's nobody left to blame.

I'm holding something in my hand.  It's a red, Unaccompanied Minor button.  You know, that striped button that little kids are supposed to wear when they fly alone.

This was actually my button.  I wore it traveling on United Airlines almost 30 years ago.  A stewardess gave it to me.  I was 7.  I wore it because I was afraid to fly alone.  I wore it years later to my job interview with United.  I wore it on my first flight as Purser.  And I proudly wore it the day I made 'A' scale.

I thought United would last forever.

And so tomorrow, United may be announcing bankruptcy.  Who knows, maybe things will all come out better in the long run.  Maybe not.  Maybe this is the end.  I don't know what to tell you right now, I wish I did.

Except perhaps this; no matter what happens, those headlines of tomorrow will eventually end up lining the bottom of Cocky's tree.  Life does have a way of going on.

Now I feel a bit better...

One thing I do know: We'll all get through this.  We are survivors.  We are an intelligent, diverse, and great group of people.  I wouldn't work as hard as I do on this site if I didn't believe that.

All of you: Have a wonderful evening, take care, and fly safe.  Goodnight.