After 10 years, Ed Saenz will no longer be a Chrysler LLC spokesman or even a Chrysler employee. He joined a parade of white-collar workers who on Wednesday handed in paperwork to take a buyout from the Auburn Hills automaker.

His decision and that of likely thousands of others follows Chrysler's Oct. 24 announcement that the company would cut about 5,000 of its 17,300 white-collar salaried and contract workers in response to difficult market conditions. The cuts worldwide are expected to take place by Jan. 1 through buyouts and layoffs.

They take on added urgency as Chrysler prepares a plan to present to Congress next week detailing how it would use money from a proposed $25 billion in bridge loans for the automakers.

"These actions are necessary to ensure the company's long-term viability and competitiveness as we appeal to Congress for a $7 billion working capital bridge loan," Chrysler said in a statement.

Wednesday was the deadline for salaried workers to turn in the half-page document indicating they want to take a retirement or buyout offer; they have until Sunday night to change their minds.

Once the numbers are tallied, involuntary layoffs will follow to reduce the payroll to the desired level. Officials have said they think forced layoffs are likely. Chrysler previously announced 1,000 white-collar cuts in July, an action that was completed at the end of September; of that number, 15 percent to 20 percent were involuntary layoffs.

For this latest round, "there appears to be a pretty good take rate," Saenz said. "There are a lot of us here carrying out boxes today. It's very noticeable that it's going on. I've never experienced anything like this with so many going in one day."

Saenz decided to leave Nov. 12, packed his final box of belongings Wednesday and prepared to go home for a holiday weekend that will continue until he finds a new job, one that will provide more job security than what he feels Chrysler could have provided.

At 43 years of age, "I need to have a job that will take me through retirement. I will put a premium on job security."

Employees could choose from three available packages, including a rare cash buyout option for employees with less than 10 years. All packages were broader than those offered in the past. They vary by years of service but could pay workers up to $50,000 with a vehicle voucher and full health care. Chrysler has said it will provide training and other support to help employees find new jobs and is working with the State of Michigan and Oakland County offering a range of services including employment workshops, counseling and job services.

"A lot of people are happy to get out of there," said another worker who took the buyout, but asked not to be identified because she feared retaliation from the company. "Some people were sad. I think the people who were left behind are the saddest. I hope for the sake of the people left behind -- like my boss -- that Chrysler turns around."