UPS furlough was/is caused by;

1. Unprecedented drop in international volume. This left excess lift in Asia so UPS moved many MD-11s to domestic routes. MD-11s replaced 767s/A300 which in turn replaced 757s etc. You could say, in effect, that each MD-11 brought to domestic cause 4 757s to become unneeded. As the economy rebounds and grows this trend will change.

2. Age 60 becoming 65. UPS wants to furlough about the same number of guys as we have that are over 60. This hurt us badly as we had over 60 FEs return to the front seat. Many turning 60 that were going to retire did not because the markets tanked. Now the market has rebounded and we are getting closer to Dec 2012 (5 years after the age change).

3. 727/747 classic/DC-8 retirements. UPS retired these fleets much sooner and more quickly than anyone anticipated. In hindsight from a business perspective it was a brilliant move, although seeing our old DC-8s flying for a contractor is infuriating.

Certainly there will be future events that adversely impact our careers. But the "perfect storm" has happened and (knock on wood) it is unlikely to repeat.

FDX meanwhile has a contract that throws their junior members to the wolves. Reducing pay to 55 hours is pretty harsh and it's a burden unevenly carried at FDX. 727s are being replaced by 757s, and 777s are being brought on property without a pay rate. FDX guys are gushing over their shiny new triples, but may not realize what an assault on career progression that plane is. My opinions on FDX are not first hand as I don't work there. They are based on opinions I've heard from squadron mates.

IMO to say that one is more stable or desirable than the other is absurd. Also, to say that highly qualified pilots would pass on UPS for Delta is equally ridiculous.