It will be interesting to see what happens with DGS. Do you think the public will accept an airline that makes billions in profits use the company they created to get around union contracts and rules to clean the planes for minimum wage as fast as they can with a dust buster and an overall lack of cleaning products and as few as possible personnel?

That's one long sentence. Yes. The public doesn't care.

Gate checking is not fine. I commuted on NBs for 5 years and my luggage looked brand new. I commuted on RJs for less than a year and my frame is bent, the kickplate is destroyed and there are multiple tears in the fabric.
The process is not terrible and probably faster than overheads if you aren't in the first 10 rows.

I worked DGS for about a year a while back. They hired a bunch of firefighters to clean planes 3-4 nights a month in exchange for minimum wage and s3c flight benefits. It was an ok deal once we figured out how to work the nonrev system. All of us quit when they wanted 7 nights a month.

It taught me how nasty the back of a plane is and now I am the crazy person wiping down my entire seat with wipes everytime I get on a plane.

In all reality who is still hiring with all this going on?

Cargo companies and 135 operators. Going to be a long time before pax carriers hire again.

While they may be hiring, competition is fierce.

I got furloughed right after getting my ATP and first type rating. I've applied to over 100 jobs at this point, everything from single pilot 135 to pipeline patrol to right seat in a Pilatus to flight instruction. I have gotten a response from a handful of places, but nothing has panned out. it's definitely tough out there, and it's only going to get worse as there are more furloughs. starting to come to terms with the fact that I might not get a flying job for sometime

anyone have suggestions for what to do for the next 1-3 years? I'm at a complete loss and my only marketable skills are pushing buttons and flipping switches and warming the right seat of a 152

Look at systems operations jobs. Very very similar.
Think.
Rail Traffic Controller - CN. CP. BNSF. UP etc
Gas or electrical systems operator.

All CRM heavy, small crews, lots of inputs, operator focused.

Retrain, keep your chin up. By virtue of being a pilot you have demonstrated drive and aptitude

1. skydiving jobs
2. ISR jobs