Furlough Grief

[Av8trix]

Like many in the last couple years, I've recently found myself facing the dreaded "F" word. I'm fortunate in that I have a wonderful and understanding spouse who is very supportive even if he may not always understand how much losing this job affects me emotionally, and I know it's a frustrating time for him because of this. I have friends who were also let go who are struggling similarly.

I recently ran across this article and thought it would be worth passing along, as it puts a lot into words that I suspect a lot of folks deal with when facing a furlough.

http://helpthrulife.com/for-pilots/furlough-grief

 

[MikeD]

Like many in the last couple years, I've recently found myself facing the dreaded "F" word. I'm fortunate in that I have a wonderful and understanding spouse who is very supportive even if he may not always understand how much losing this job affects me emotionally, and I know it's a frustrating time for him because of this. I have friends who were also let go who are struggling similarly.

I recently ran across this article and thought it would be worth passing along, as it puts a lot into words that I suspect a lot of folks deal with when facing a furlough.

http://helpthrulife.com/for-pilots/furlough-grief

Am sorry to hear about that. Good you have a support system closely available. Though I personally have not faced furlough, a number here have. It'd be interesting to hear their take also on the linked article.

 

[Qgar]

Sorry about your furlough....

The article was an excellent read and think it applies to many other aspects of life-altering experiences we have throughout our lifetimes.

 

[MQAAord]

Furlough sucks.

The feelings of anger, resentment and feeling disposable are very real.

Seeing others who haven't been furloughed going to work like nothing has changed for them can be very hard too. One memory that sticks in my mind from my first furlough was sitting outside of security at ORD, waiting for my roommate (who worked in the administrative offices) to bring me the piece of paper I needed to get through security. I had to sit there and wait, the week before I could go in and out of security at will... I saw several AA F/As walking through the terminal, and I remember thinking how could it be that their lives have changed so little, and mine changed so much.

It all happened so fast, especially the first furlough, right after 9/11, there was very little time go through the "stages" of grief. For me the stages happened in the weeks/months following.

It'll be 8 years next week since everything happened. In some ways it was like it was yesterday, and in some ways it was a whole other lifetime ago.

I do not hold on to any anger about what happened, that is not productive. Instead I've made the choice to move forward and seek out what other opportunities and experiences life has in store. I try to remember the good times & the great people.... Certainly a part of me is and will always be very sad about what was lost, but life goes on. The sun rises, the sun sets, you breath in, you breath out, and other things come your way.

 

[PropDriver]

I've been furloughed twice in the last 12 months and I feel like I'm a "furlough expert" at this point. My best advice for you is to keep busy and don't sit around feeling depressed. I did that after furlough #1 and I wasn't enjoying life.

I started going to the gym again, eating healthy, and have some interviews for part time jobs after furlough #2. It really helps me feel better being productive every day.