Sad thing is, I bet this thread will be up in 5 years from now. It will still be going on with people saying "it has been like 5 years, when the crap are they going to call me?" Please, no one here take offense to this but it's the truth. Most of the time an airline isn't going to furlough for less than a year.
It's not worth it. There are United guys that have literally spent 5 years on furlough, worked for 8 months then back to furlough for another few years. What other profession do the employees let management do this to them? They should be required to explain how the position is extremely "seasonal" to all first time pilots. It should be stressed that you are only a temp so do not get comfortable. Then people might think twice about spending all that money just to become a temp.

Really the concept of Furlough only exist because of seniority. Also that whole "displace" thing. I always feel bad when someone says they were displaced. Yeah keep on thinking it's ok since it was just a "displacement". You were "DEMOTED". Now go around and tell everyone you got "DEMOTED". That doesn't sound as good.

Management really loves the whole puppet thing. "Hey there mister professional pilot that has worked so hard to get where he is. We have you by the B#$LS because of the seniority system that you implemented. Sorry but you are going to have to take a huge paycut and we are making you move as well as taking all your authority away. Yeah, it really stinks but you have no other choice and I know that."

That is the mentality that we are up against. So getting hired back means that management wins again. You did everything they wanted.