Originally Posted by
Blueridger
First of all, to settle the "more furloughs" rumor, official word from the union right now is that the company will not be announcing any more furloughs "in the immediate future". Take if for what it's worth, but that is great news for those on the bottom of the current list of active pilots.
Tim, as for your expectation of a long furlough, I think you're wise to consider that a likely possibility and my reasoning would be the same as yours in terms of attrition: with the early outs having been offered, those that were going to retire in the next 3 years have already done so. Strangely enough, however, I have noticed an attrition of 33 relatively senior pilots in the last 3 months. I absolutely don't get it, but if it stays that way, eventually attrition will force the company to bring some guys back. So there is a bit of good news on the horizon and I am hoping that 2010 will continue to see a rise in demand and with it, the prospect of bringing some furloughed pilots back. Good luck with everything until then....
I flew with one of my favorite captains
before I was escorted off the property. He was approaching 67 years old and was telling me how much he was looking forward to being with his grandchildren and wife more with retirement. I said to him " are you taking the early out or do you wanna keep flying for at least three more years?". He immediately responds " I would like to fly for another year and hand over the controls to you young bucks". When I told him that he could retire now and be paid most of his salary for the next three years, while being home with his wife and grandchildren FULLTIME, he laughed and said "I wish". This guy was completely clueless inside and outside of the airplane.
I hope to god he is one of those 33, who now get to spend more time with the wife and grandkids
