Originally Posted by
alfaromeo
It is cavalier to make them have to decide to quit their job when you have no clue as to whether or not they will have solid employment for more than six months....
Unless you are completely insane, you would see how the most caring and kind thing you could do was not force people into making these life altering decisions with no security behind it. .
I rarely patron this board but this is truly amazing. I'm not a RD but having been furloughed three times in two years (once from NWA, then twice from a start up that eventually liquidated), I do have some experience with the issue.
The decision to return or not from a recall is a decision for a furloughee to make and not someone else. It is called being in the "adult" phase of one's life.
I can think of many reasons to come back even as seasonal help to being furloughed again:
1. A chance to gain currency if not flying. As most places would require seniority resignation, flying jobs may be hard to come by for employment. Many flying operations require certain amount of hours in a given time frame. One may just get a new type rating or currency needed to land a flying position at a later date.
2. The fact the pilot may be unemployed (like a failed carrier) or outside of aviation and the call comes for a recall. Maybe the lack of currency (esp with seniority resignation issues) has made a furloughed pilot difficult to find a flying job.
3. A chance to get back on health insurance (as I lost mine when my carrier liquidated) and not easy to get employer based insurance when the company collapses. It is a horrible feeling to worry about not having health insurance. Medical bills without health insurance is one of the biggest reasons for personal bankruptcy. Having access to it could be a reason to even go back to the airline with the chance of getting furloughed.
4. The chance to qualify for unemployment insurance if furloughed again. I did contract corporate flying when I could to stay current. The UE bridged the gap when contract work was dry and worked until I got full time employment as a pilot.
The "bypass" portion of a recall of furlougees can be utilized as needed if one is unsure about being so junior and afraid of being forced on the street again. I was very fortunate that I have a very low cost of living/money saved and was able to fly when I could vice taking a job I hated. Other people were not as fortunate. With that being said, it would be their decision to accept a recall or give up a stable job.
Furlough is not a fun experience and forever shaped my life. It was especially tough when your company throws you on the street and keeps your furlough pay you need to survive. A tough life lesson learned for me and it taught me how to sharpen my elbows when needed. Even now, I put cash in the bank and never take anything for granted.
Best of luck in our future endeavors....