Many F/O's I have spoken with in the past 12-24 hrs are feeling relieved. Commuting, and the 1st yr pay, as well as being on reserve for the past year has really worn them out, and this gives them an opportunity to not only re-evaluate the airline gig, but will allow them to pursue something else and still have a number here when the time comes.

On another forum I frequent (car one) I was chatting with a guy who wanted all there was to know about being an airline pilot and the salary and commitment it takes to get there. I explained it to him and he said he would never in a million years be able to make that kind of sacrifice for 20k a year and he likes his Home Depot gig making $35,000.00 a year.

The point of that story is at least you can breathe a sigh of relief and make as much, an easily more money being at home spending time with the family. I dont know if that makes it any better but it is a positive in this mess.

We (MEC) tried everything we could to mitigate furloughs the company initially said 427, then a few days ago bumped the number to 528......... I am going from 95 in EWR to 145, so the days off weekends off and Daytrips are gone but thats ok with me, I consider myself fortunate.

Anyway just figured I would give my .02 worth



PS To top it off, myself and my crew were Junior manned last night into an un-scheduled overnight because they had no crews..............what a joke