White Collar Reset: We're not in Kansas anymore

Last week, I dug out the phone numbers for some old contacts at Cessna, the large Wichita-based private airplane and jet manufacturer. Since Private Air, the magazine I edited, folded six months ago, I hadn't had much occasion to call out to Wichita. I was curious to hear how the people I knew at the Textron (TXT) subsidiary were faring during what has shaped up as the worst downturn in the general aviation industry in 30 years. It didn't long to get my answer.

"You have reached a number that is disconnected ..."

".... If you feel you have reached this number in error, please redial .... "

".... or that is no longer in service. If you feel you have reached ...."

"... please redial the number and try the call again."