Try explaining why you'll fly 1000 miles because you're desperate to fly on a certain aircraft, or better yet, try explaining to a non airline person, that angst you feel in the pit of your stomach when you're seated in coach and there are empty seats in First--- they won't understand it, will never get it, and will probably think you're crazy to boot.
There is an understanding, a camaraderie among airline people that crosses brands and countries. Maybe it's the fact that we have common experiences and problems, or maybe it's just that aviation gets in the blood, either way you feel a kinship will other airline people. When there is an "incident" or an aircraft goes down, you wonder is there anyone I know on that plane. If it's your airline, or if the plane was flying to/from your base, the feelings are even more intense.....I know.

On 9/11 I turned on the TV to see the first tower burning and watched the second plane hit the second tower. That morning shook the country, rocked the airline industry and devasted a friend. Later we found out that two of the planes involved were AA flights 11 & 77, both flights bound for LAX. I had flown those flights, we called them "non-rev specials" because they got us in early, usually had empty seats and you commonly got First. And while I didn't know any of the flight crews personally, only a nodding acquaintance, they were AA family. Later we found out, a friend, a wife and mother, was non -reving home. We attended memorial services there was such a sadness and a tireness. I remember looking at the current and former airline employees and all the various flight crews in their different uniforms from every airline that had come to offer comfort, and you knew they understood.