Originally Posted by Lowlevel

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.