Original Message

It's very discouraging to discover that your employer does *not* look at you as a valued asset (as you may have thought) but instead sees you as a liability...and an easily-replaceable one at that.  Even a very senior pilot can be replaced by someone at a lower salary that will do, basically, the same job.  Sorry, that's just the way it is.  Once you come to grips with this, it changes your whole perspective on this thing we call "work."

YOU are merely trading your labor for money.  You are obliged to show up and do a good job; the company is obliged to put your paycheck in your hand.  That's how it's supposed to work.  There's not a whole lot more to it than that.  You're not "family."  They may like you personally and think you're a great guy, but at the end of the day you're just an employee number.  I've had to let go (fire, lay-off) some great guys in my life.  It's sometimes hard, but it is what it is.  (Thankfully, I've never been on the receiving end of such treatment.)

And so!  Never, ever be reluctant to quit a job.  Give notice if you can, but if you can't...just walk out the door.  The company *will* survive.  And trust me, if the shoe were on the other foot and the company needed to get rid of you, you'd be gone in 60 seconds.  Or less.