Because the union is getting ready to renegotiate the pilots contract and management wants to cry poor after turning a profit. It may give management some leverage to tell the union there will be more furloughs if pay is increased back to where it was a few years ago. Pilots agreed to a huge cut to help out the company temporarily and now management wants it permanant.

I know someone on the bottom of their seniority list and is on reserve but flying all the time. They really can't afford to let anyone go unless they cut back some of their flights.