Everyone else’s speculation, accusation, and condemnations don’t mean a lot to a guy who’s at the point where the rubber meets the road. I’m terribly sorry you (and the other 1,599 pilots) are taking the brunt of this. I *REALLY* hope it’s short lived and I wish you the best of luck during your separation.

For us on the bottom of the dog pile...
 

For those at the bottom of the dog pile what would some of the senior pilots recommend we do? In my estimation, which frankly is a total shot in the dark, I cannot see the bottom 500 getting called back until at least 18 months out. We've dumped a bunch of planes, many of those set to retire have already jumped off, so I'm thinking I may need to brush up on my hardware skills. Thoughts? Yes, I have a family and children who depend upon me. No boat payment though, so there's that. Yes, I do have savings but two years is a serious stretch and I just road out that first year pay.

Piggybacking to also seek advice of those previously furloughed.

Assuming I can’t land a flying job anywhere, my plan is to get an appointment with a career counselor at the local college. Hopefully they can match my skills and experience to a trade that’s growing and pays okay. From there my plan is the typical rat race - just work harder and better than anyone else and work my way up into management. If we sell everything I think we can make it long enough for me to pick up a trade.

Usajobs.gov FAA has jobs posted. Obviously a big commitment to OKC for a couple years of training though.

LOL. Yeah, well why wasn’t that number released BEFORE the bid??? Hmmmmm...

I went to law school after 9/11. My pilot brother went to dental school. Would not recommend either. Would not recommend any schooling for that matter. Go to the trades. Get a welding certificate, for example. Learn a skilled trade. Get recalled. Start your own welding business (or whatever trade) . Honestly, don't waste your time or money on a MS, JD, DDS, PharmD or whatever. You will then always be in the driver's seat in this career - it won't be able to f*ck you again.

Well those are the numbers they are using. Isn’t that obvious? 1600? The original number that was forecast for summer 2021 overage. And now we gave them the ability to go ahead and not pay 522 more in the meantime, but have them ready for June 2021. If they furlough the entire 2100-2300 now, they’d be unable to staff the forecast for next summer, which they are apparently still using. So instead of having to pay that 522 that they really still apparently want to have here next summer, the numbskulls at APA just drove the bus over us and said “here you go Doug, you can just not give them a paycheck and they’ll still be here! You’re welcome!” WTF!!!??

I almost can’t even believe it, and I guarantee you AA management can’t even believe that “we” agreed to it. The APA can’t even stay out of their own way, they are just tripping over themselves with incompetence..

Unless you are planning on making a permanent change to those other professions, I agree with you. Short time to train and able to make decent money. Unless everything goes in the toilet and stays there, trades, truck driving, even furniture assembly, etc. are always in demand.

You guys are both on the BOD, aren’t you?

Stop. Being. So. Gullible.

Look into getting a real estate license. Doesn’t take too long. and for some reason that sector is booming right now (outside of NY and CA that is).