Why was pay cut after 9/11?
 

This doesnt make any sense to me.

Because they could.

There were no customers!! The economy was already headed for a slowdown. Many majors had contracts that paid too much - unsustainable. I was in the middle of it and my pay is just reaching my 2001 levels now.

Supply v. Demand

LOL... I was thinking that could be it. I guess I can expect a big paycut this year.. AGAIN.

Economy is at the vvvvvvery early stages of a rebound right now, why would you need to take a pay cut?

Same reason as back then, too many pilots and few jobs. They can cut wages because pilots will still be willing to work the jobs that are available

so did flying just never rebound?
I dont but the whole supply vs demand, as I said before I realize just after the towers nobody flying but 6months later I will go out on a limb and say it was back to normal.

It seems to me they just used it as an excuse.
am I right or wrong?

Two routes:

Threaten bankruptcy: Put the fear into the pilots and make them give up pay/work rules to "avoid bankruptcy"

Go into Bankruptcy: Rip up contracts, threaten pilots with a loss of pension, furloughs, liquidation, etc.

You are wrong, travel demand was done for more than 6 months and DL, UA, AA, USAir, all had pilots on furlough for a long time.