Ryan, this is not my first downturn, but I can say that this last 2 months have been harder on people than any other I've seen. Many, many good people have been released, especially in the last 6 weeks. Morale is terrible-it's not easy to see your co-workers (& in some cases, friends) essentially become "Dead Men/Women Walking" as they're unceremoniously escorted away.
Many "survivors" are visibly shaken, to the point of tears in some cases. Yet, the very real possibility exists that this hour's survivor will become a casualty in the next 60 minutes. The constant specter of The Employment Reaper lurking in the shadows can be mentally taxing in the least. Survivors are expected to put their fears aside, stay focused & carry on. That's not so easy for some-I've found myself making the rounds & trying to help some get through this difficult time.
In the end, this is harsh reality of employment in the Oil & Gas Industry, & like Foghorn Leghorn, I've learned to "keep my feathers numbered for such emergencies." At times like these, I imagine it's similar to what it must have been like to be next in line at the guillotine. I'm still breathing, but I felt the wind from the blade during the previous execution. I'm way too close for comfort.