Most of the PFEs (Professional Flight Engineers) at Continental retired after the 727s and DC-10s were removed from service. The age requirement for PFEs was less restrictive than for pilots so many were active above the age of 60, having flown just a handful of aircraft types throughout their careers, meanwhile pilots are forced into retirement. PFE salaries were pretty good toward the end of their careers, and some were making more money than junior first officers on the same aircraft!

The second officers on the DC-10s that were not PFEs probably moved into first officer positions on narrowbodies, or were given Early-Out packages around 9/11 and went for jobs elsewhere. DC-10 F/Os are likely among today's narrowbody Captains, and the DC-10 Captains either are working 767/777 equipment in the same capacity or have since retired.

DC-10 cockpit crews loved the airplane, it had one of the most spacious flight decks of its kind, and the three-man cockpit lent itself to a more convivial environment. Besides that, the airplane was very pilot-friendly, and many pilots I know were sad to see it go.

Quite the opposite was true for cabin crews and scheduling, who had become accustomed to frequent age-related reliability issues through the 1990s. I'm sure much of this was due to the myriad fleet of DC-10s CO operated, coming secondhand from 6-8 individual previous operators and maintenance standards.