Well, in my experience 'making an air release" has a whole different connotation among model railroaders, and usually has something to do with the greasy food served at the ops sessions. Nuff said.
You know it's serious .... when a real railroader operating your layout 'outlaws' on the local after two hours of switching moves on your N layout, punctuated by run-through freights constantly in their way by the dispatcher (me), too many cars both on the siding and train to run around without doubling, has two accidents pushing cars through locked switches, couplers that won't align on a curve, and gets a 'traffic ticket' for blocking a crossing with a train longer than the perscribed 5 minute maximum! (true story) "Man, this thing is worse than a real day on the job!!!"
You know it is serious .... when the relief crew change bus driver calls you on your home phone and tells you the xtra crew will be two hours late ....
You Know Its a Serious Op Session When You... Have to fill out an application to participate in a ops session.
... can't admit to any of the guys that you actually like trains or model railroading for fear of being "outed" as a railfan.
When the superintendant calls you at home the day after an operating session and tells you that you swichted the wrong car at an industry.
On one layout that I attend regular op sessions, each room is its own town. Yes it is an N scale layout and it fills and entire basement. Well the towns name for the bathroom is "Rising Falls" LOL
...and you're able to get him off your back because you've still got all your written 'flimsy' orders.