Sorry to hear about your layoff. I was *almost* hired at two different UT companies - they have some absolutely amazing benefits from the education benefits you mentioned to an actual retirement plan.
The only advice I'll give besides trying like heck to get back under that UT umbrella
is to read a lot. Don't just read the views you agree with - also read those ones that discourage loans and discourage airline careers. Try and weigh the merits of each fairly, apply them to your personality and situation, and decide for yourself.