Do yourselves all a favor. Get out. I was laid off in December from 21 years in VZ IT and it was the best thing that could have happened.. EVER! I ended up with a job making more money, working for a team of people who are actually a TEAM and not a bunch of cut-throats with a manager that actually appreciates what the team does rather than bashing you continually for what you "didn't" get done rather than what you did. The company I work for now treats the employees GREAT!! I didn't realize how mistreated and beat down and stressful working at VZ IT was until I had a position at a company that cares about their employees. Suggestion... next RIF that comes around (and it will) - volunteer for it so you get a nice severance package to put away. Start looking now... contact some recruiters.. When the RIF shows up.. take it and tell your recruiter you're ready to roll. You'll have a new job before unemployment even kicks in, and you'll have a big severance check to go along with it. There are a TON of IT jobs out there.. don't be mislead that there isn't..
Thanks, @SefvtTS-hgie for this moving post. I wish I was that lucky.