http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHTieHyohes&feature=player_embedded
That hit home. I was almost 60 when the company I worked for for 27 years lost a contract. They laid off almost the whole crew, many with 25 to 30 years with the company. Suddenly no medical benefits and competing with "kids" just out of school with the latest training, for job. All us Fortran and C programmers...
The worst part was later, company protested the contract award and the (US) government admitted mistakes in the process. But it was too late -- the new contractor was already in place and working.
I don't know if the company received any compensation, but we never did get our jobs back. :(
Hope things are going well for you now, jaf. I remember a guy on this forum awhile back that everyone seemed to have trouble with because he was so outspoken. He too had been laid off as an engineer and was struggling to get back to a place where he could just get a job. He was talented, but older and he lived out in the middle of nowhere in the NW USA. Not sure what happened to him.
Sorry to hear that , Jaf ! How are you now?
The last few years are difficult for many friends i know unfortunately.