Airline will hire right up until they furlough.

While getting your class pushed back, cancelled or both isn't ideal - Its happened multiple times before in the industry, It is happening now and will happen again in the future.

Each airline handles it in differently. Some airlines (United) handle it a lot better than others (NWA's pool flush)

2008 United pushes back a class and cancelled new hire classes. furloughs eventually followed. Those pilots received a letter they would remain in the pool for 1 year. (if you have a 2 week notice in call your current employer and cancel it. -it can be rescinded. Those separating from military or don't currently have a job to return to, start going hard at plan B C D etc. Obviously earning income and health insurance is important. But also be looking for a flying job. You need to keep current as possible. -and if this whole thing does lead to furloughs (and i'm not suggesting it will) at least you will have a head start on job search before before supply demand gets worse. Focussing back on United, The 1 year on the letter came and went. 5 years actually did. United did the right thing. When the time came, before hiring off the street resumed. Those effects pilots -class canceled were kept and began indoc and training and those in the pool were given a simple re-interview -basically make sure no recent skeletons had come up in 5 years. (Failed check rides, DUI, Brothel Running etc)

Getting your class delayed is a bummer. Getting it cancelled sucks. Getting furloughed really really really sucks. There is a lot of uncertainty right now. Control what you can control. There is a process to all this and for those of you in the pool at United there are people who have been in your shoes, made it thru, no regrets and happy to be there.