Yes, it is a sad fact that due to the economic down turn ASA has had to furlough for the first time in their history. Everybody knows that ASA was fat on pilots ranging between 100 to 300 since September of 2008 (loss of ATRs and reduction of flying). Management decides to hang onto these pilots instead of furloughing them at the drop of a hat trying to find new work for them. With the coming of the CRJ-900’s the management has been able to keep at least an extra 100 pilot employed (10 per plane) instead of furloughing 180 pilots which would have happen without these airplanes. A company is in business to make money for their stockholders period. Not to hand out charity work or to have pilots sit at home on reserves and pay them for doing nothing. ASA did their best to keep everyone around. They obviously tried because they did not furlough right away back in September. ASA is trying to stay competitive so we all can keep our jobs and not end up on the streets. Do you really think they get their jollies furloughing pilots? So trying to stick it to management by not picking open time is not the correct answer. Hopefully sometime soon things will turn and we can put everyone back to work, not just at ASA.