Originally Posted by
Whacker77
I was a finance major so I have a pretty good idea of the economy works, but I thought a few factors specific to airlines might make things rebound faster. First, I thought airlines were running pretty lean on staffing when the downturn came. While there have been furloughs, most haven't been massive, unless you're furloughed already.
Second, friends have told me there have been plenty of times flights have flown with two captains. Also, some pilots have quit just because and some on furlough have given up and moved on as well. I thought those two issues would lead to recalls.
Mostly, I'm just surprised at how there is no good news on the baord. There aren't even any rumors about recalls floating around. That's depressing.
At Comair, I would pretty much call the furloughs "massive". From October 2008 to January 2009 there were 297 furloughed. This month many are going to be gone that took a voluntary furlough and more involuntary furloughs (already announced) will be gone in November. So, in October 2008 there were almost 1400 pilots (not sure on the exact number) and in January 2010 there will be around 1000. Pretty much saying that in one year (October 2008-November 2009) a third of the pilots will be gone, either voluntary or involuntary.
If you see two captains flying, it's most likely that the one on the right was downgraded. It's not that they are short FO's.
Also, I always find it humorous when I fly on Delta and the crew says "I had no idea that Comair furloughed anyone." Even though Delta is directly to blame for the furloughs.