Originally Posted by
Rotorhead
I've noticed a pattern in the past. The last recession started in December of 2000 and wasn't really acknowledged until the later part of 2001, similar to this recession. Historically speaking recessions last approximately 14 months. The events of 9-11 acted as a catylist to this recession and ultimately pulled the airlines into a furlough frenzie, likely a frenzie they were hoping to avoid.
Airline continued to furlough following the end of the actual recession and recalls varied drastically by carrier. The primary difference between the furlough rounds this time and last time, the economy will likely stay in a severe recession beyond the 14 month point and prevent other career paths from spawning. You have to give credit to the airlines in one aspect, they always wait about a year into a recession before furloughing, so the timing and consequences can be anticipated. This one is going to hurt. When we do recover, if manufacturing hasn't returned to the states, the follow on recession may be the one the doom and gloomers hit right on the head.
You don't understand though, we have President Barack Obama to help us lead. He's going to bring us hope and change and hope. He's the most intelligent man, so he'll bring us change and a new hope. And change and hope and hope and change, you know, man?? You are unfortunatley right, there will be some serious downsizing this year and probably on to the next year. We may find jobs sooner than that but our extended future in this business such as any hopes for us to fly anything better will have been dampened by maybe even a decade. I would probably get comfortable in whatever you're doing.