Most smaller startup airlines would not have been able to withstand this kind of shutdown. I am pleased to say we still have a very strong balance sheet, which is good news for the flying public and for ValuJet employees. We can get through this difficult period.

It's a first step. It's not a total shutdown.

It may be a smaller vehicle and not as impressive or loud as the shuttle. [But] it could be able to launch and land within a few minutes.

[Both Perrin and McGinnis recommend trying smaller, budget airlines for better service -- and better fares.] The other day I flew from JFK to Orlando, and back from Fort Lauderdale, ... On the way down, I flew Delta Express, which I thought would be the same as Delta, but it's not ... it was a nightmare. When the person in front of you reclined their seat, they were in your lap. You had no choice but to recline -- and there wasn't even enough space to read.

We were able to withstand the physicality of that game really well. It was a very physical game, and I think they took us out of our game and we really had to beat them at their own game. It was just a pounding game. Our goals were finesse goals. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to do it.

You're not going to keep a team like that down. They'll make runs, but we just have to withstand it. Mudge hit three bombers to get them back, but we maintained our composure and that was important for us.