"Graveyard spiral" is an aviation term for what happens when a non-instrument rated pilot gets into instrument conditions and loses orientation. Sooner or later, the plane will enter a slight bank but the pilot won't recognize it. As the plane banks, it begins to lose altitude. Seeing the altitude decreasing, the pilot will pull back on the wheel, causing the turn to steepen. This will continue until he breaks free of the clouds and can orient himself or, more likely, he crashes. It can happen within seconds and has been the cause of many deaths, including Buddy Holly and JFK, Jr.

By cutting back on a core department, Worldcom is entering the spiral. The existing employees are pushed to the limit until some of them will quit. At the same time, important customers will go elsewhere, leading to further cuts. Unless actions are taken pretty soon, the whole department is likely to crash and burn. Don't wait too late to bale out, Dan.