And how would this be different from furloughing? They are gonna fire/furlough the people at the bottom. It is just a matter of semantics as to what word you use to describe it.

In the past companies have fired the probation pilots by aircraft type and not seniority. In other words if you had a class of mixed saab and CRJ, they only fire the CRJ pilots because they are over staffed on that aircraft.

There is a huge difference between a furlough and a firing/termination. With a furlough, you have the opportunity to come back. With a termination you do not. It would be far cheaper to fire people if they wanted and then hire when the need arises. The bonus for the company is that they don't have to follow seniority and can fire as they wish. Luckily we don't work for a company like this. I'm just illustrating the other extreme that could be happening right now.