Originally Posted by
Utah
They'd probably handle it the way they did previous slowdowns. Instead of average line values ever month of 87-90 hours that would be reduced down to a lower number. Years past that number went down to the 75-77 hour range. The number of regular lines would be cut as well resulting in more reserve lines/staffing. Finally voluntary unpaid leave of absences would be offered. Those were up to a year and extendable even beyond that at times.
If you can get by on 75 hours of pay, or even better, go on a leave of absence, it might not be so bad. Additionally reserve may go senior, as in the past it was possible to go weeks, if not months without being called out.
If you can afford to drop down to 60 hours a month, it becomes really easy to give away trips. Really easy.
What he said. Last time it just became really easy to drop trips... best QOL I ever had.
Regionals have longer-term contracts so while majors might park planes immediately regionals tend to keep flying them because they have a contract to do it (might get shuffled around, last time we were flying routes which had been mainline previously). Or the major pays the regional to not fly (saves fuel, etc), but in that case the regional can still afford to pay YOU not to fly.
It's only an issue if the economy crashes and stays crashed... that's a different problem set.