I don't remember anyone having anyone on furlough prior to 9/11. I know the doors were shutting prior to 9/11. CAL was taking guys, and so was AA. Don't know how long AA would have kept on because they were going through the TWA deal.

What others have said regarding the dot come bubble, start of a recession etc is spot on.

I think UAL did cave on that contract. It was a sweet one, but the company had to cave after the summer of love. Couldn't go through it again.

My personal opionion was that 9/11 didn't kill the airlines, it was just the final nail in the coffin for the airlines in the way they ran their business. Too bad, it was a lot of fun. Glad I was there for the end of the party!