I predict hiring to crank up 3-4 years out. The Age 65 ISSUE will have run its course and guys will be retiring.....again. Many of those furloughed this time around will probably not come back to the business.... just my feeling on that. Fewer , larger big carriers... Jet blue and airtran will still have their niche.....

I dont like the following senario either but here it is....but DAL, CAL, UAL...etc...types that survive will concentrate on LONG haul domestic and VERY profitable domestic and International flights... the vast majority of domestic flights and feeds will be flown by National/Jet carriers like SKW, RAH, XJT and whom ever else is left. Predicting who will be around is folly as anyone could stumble and fail. The big boys will have the SKW, RAH's and other jet carriers flying slightly larger aircraft .... flame on if you must, just because we dont like it doesnt mean we shouldnt accept the reality that that is what the big boys want.... the unions need to secure better contracts for the Pilots and FAs to make the reality that for many these are career airlines.