Former Spirit pilot speaks out about career, being a woman in industry

When Spirit Airlines stopped flying, 17,000 jobs disappeared along with it.

"I know how frustrating it is and devastating it can be to people, employees and their families," said former Spirit Airlines pilot Janet Patton.

Captain Patton was once a Spirit employee - a bright-eyed pilot at the start of her career, flying her very first passenger jet in 1996. She was a part of a tight-knit group of women in a male-driven workforce.

Patton left Spirit for an opportunity at American Airlines after just a couple of years.

"Some women, though, have stayed and unfortunately lost their jobs as of (Saturday)," she said.

Patton has kept in touch with her friends at Spirit.

"I do know that there have been several that I have known along the way that have been putting their applications out already seeing the writing on the wall over the last 2 to 3 years," said Patton.

The airline that was built on a low-cost business model died a slow and painful death. However, what cannot be excluded in its eulogy is the story of Janet Patton.

"Probably the highlight of my career was actually becoming the first woman pilot at Spirit because it is such a big deal even in 1996 to have airlines that didn't have women still and were still breaking barriers," she says.

Spirit took a chance on Patton, a cargo pilot at the time, propelling her to a long, fruitful career.

"I absolutely loved it, I had support the whole way through, it was challenging, I knew a lot of eyes were on me to make sure I got through the program okay, but it was a great time in my career," said Patton.

Patton is now at the pinnacle of that career - flying 27 years for American Airlines as a Triple 7 captain - the highest-ranking pilot on a Boeing 777 aircraft.

"One of my main goals is to encourage as many women as I can to get into being pilot whether for fun or a career," she adds.

Patton landed on her feet after being laid off early in her career after only six months flying for a cargo air carrier. She hopes the thousands who are jobless can now draw a little inspiration from her journey filled with both ups and downs.