Humour is an important component in our ability to "deal" positively with the experience of Hard Times. The following is an excerpt from the EMail of one encouraging SoCoOL visitor.

                  Help Feed AA Pilots
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It's just not right.  Thousands of pilots in our very own country are 
living at or just below the six figure salary line.  And if that wasn't 
bad enough, many of them may  go several weeks or months 
without a paycheck if they are forced by American Airlines 
management to strike.
     
But now you can help.  For about three hundred dollars a day --that's 
less than the price of a 27" television set ~ you can help keep a pilot 
economically viable during their time of need.
     
Three hundred dollars a day may not seem like a lot of money to you, 
but to a pilot, it could mean the difference between a vacation fishing 
in 
Florida or a Mediteranean cruise.
     
For you, three hundred dollars is nothing more than half a month's rent 
or mortgage payment.  But to a pilot, three hundred dollars a day will 
almost  replace his or her salary. 
     
Three hundred dollars a day will enable a pilot to upgrade his or her 
home computer, buy that new 100" television set, trade in the
6 month old Lexus for a Ferrari, or enjoy a dinner (with champagne) at 
The Mansion.
     
"HOW WILL I KNOW I"M HELPING?"
     
Each month, you will receive a complete financial report on the crew 
member you sponsor.  Detailed information about his or her stocks,
bonds,401K, and real-estate holdings will be mailed to your home.  
You will be able to watch your pilot's net worth grow.  You'll also get 
information on how they chose to invest their 1.2 million dollar    
lump sum they get upon their retirement.
     
"HOW WIILL THEY KNOW I'M HELPING?"
     
Your pilot will be told that her or she has a SPECIAL FRIEND that 
just wants to help.  Although the pilot won't know your name, he or 
she will be able to make collect calls to your home via a special 
operator in case they need more funds.
     
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I want to help!!  In the event of a strike by the APA, I would like to 
sponsor the crew member listed below.  I would like to sponsor 
(circle your selection/s):
     
___CAPTAIN                                        ___F-100 CREW MEMBER
              
___AN ENTIRE FLIGHT CREW              ___A300 CREW MEMBER   
___FIRST OFFICER                              ___SUPER-80 CREW MEMBER  
___NAVIGATOR                                    ___727 CREW MEMBER 
___767 CREW MEMBER                       ___MD-11 CREW MEMBER
     
___Please apply my donation to the crew member most in need.
     
Please charge the account listed below $326.25 per day (or  $350.29 
for MD-11 crew members) for the duration of the strike.  Please send 
me a picture of the crew member I have sponsored, along with a set of 
"wings" and my very own "new" red S.C.O.P.E. badge (while supplies last)
     
<> Mastercard        <> Visa                          <> American Express
         
<> Diner's Club       <> AAsset Card              <> Discover Card
Account Number:________________________________   
Expiration Date:_________________________
Signature:______________________________________
     
Send Completed Forms to the APA. Or, Enroll By Phone: (97X)-988-3188
     
Note: Sponsors agree not to contact the crew member sponsored or their 
families in person or by other means including, but not limited to, 
phone calls, letters, email, or third parties.  Contributions made are 
not
tax 
deductible.  In the event of no strike action taken, sponsors agree to a 
one time administration charge of $500.00 to cover administration costs 
of this program.
     
[Note - written by nowaboard@aol.com, originally appeared in a.d.a on
        2/10/97, and reposted here with the author's permission - ed.]