The crash hit the airlines' Portland-based employees particularly hard because it claimed one of their own, Alaska flight attendant James J. Ryan. He was returning from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with his parents and brother when the plane went down. When he wanted to chase a dream, he'd take off work for a while to pursue it. Several speakers comforted those assembled, saying they would someday see their lost friends in heaven. References to faith reflected some of the airline staff's strong religious convictions, said Alaska flight attendant Christopher Gainer.
Some flight attendants pray together.
Copies of psalms frequently appear on passengers' meal trays. Their faith consoled many of them in the past week, as they struggled to make sense of the tragedy that took so many of their own. They all died loving what they were doing, and I know we all look forward to seeing them again. Despite the tears, laughter filled the ballroom at times. One flight attendant told how she had trouble drinking as many beers as Ryan when they went out.