Originally Posted by BeeWatcher

The myth of the furloughed pilot flipping burgers, going back as a supermarket clerk or toiling for years at a regional is mostly untrue. These were talented people. Most of the 20 plus double furloughees I have flown with over the last five or so years seemed to have landed on their feet and done surprisingly well. Many went back full time into the military (at a time of record military pay), some landed in a good corporate gig, one was at FAA headquarters, several went to defense contractors, and a few went to Spirit and JetBlue. Most were holding their own vs. the typical airline pilot of that lost decade. Many were doing so well (or maybe where a little gun shy) that when United started recalling it was initially only a trickle of returning pilots. After several pay bumps, a giant cushion of new hires and a good contract with furlough longevity credit, most came back. I rarely fly with them anymore as most have moved on to the greener pastures of Widebody or Captain flying...