Think in percentages - few furloughs of less than 5%. Few furloughs over 15%. The worst are around 20-25%.

apc data has pilot totals and retirements for the different airlines. You can figure the percentages. AA will be retiring 7% shortly. One is decent protection, two is protection from most furloughs and 3-4 yrs is probably 100% protected.

Twenty yrs ago Captains were talking about how insane some of the FO's spending was “his house cost more than mine! Don’t they realize the music stops at times?” It did.

Wait until you have some protection and live based on 20-25% of the seniority list disappearing. Figure out what that pay will be and live accordingly.