I wouldn’t say “laughable” as context matters. Age matters and pay scale now is significantly different than UAL back in 2011 or thereabouts.
If furloughed, only the individual would have known what they might have been doing during the lean years had they experienced it - perhaps stuck at a regional or on the ground, back with their Guard/Reserve unit, creating their own business or just barely skating by until recall / and there were a few who never returned.
Depends on how many earning years left. Slated for retirement soon, then it is quite possible to have done better at the current company. Of course (living in the now) 5 or more years remaining will result in significant gains if all goes according to plan. 30, 35, 40, 45 (maybe even 50 if your base is your hometown of choice=lifestyle) you’ve technically got it made at a Legacy or LCC’s, etc. barring economic, business is war takeovers, management persecution/folly, and of course perhaps the most important unknown future impact - your health. Stay fit, stay frosty and keep the rubber side down. Life happens, make the best of it.
Then there is the single pilot deck, but that remains to be seen. Hopefully well after my time!
Last edited by C17B74; 01-31-2020 at 09:13 PM.