Huh. Maybe I've already been furloughed! Should probably head back to the drinking thread on the United board.

In all seriousness, this is good news.

Has UA announced furloughs?

Sorry, it was a joke. I'm at AA. One of their guys started a 'what are you drinking' thread, and I was posting over there last week.

The reason I asked I heard rumors that not enough pilots took the 50-hour-stay-at-home option.

The COVID pay protection may as well be written in toilet paper. It's nearly impossible to get diagnosed with at this point.

4000 is wayyy too high of an estimate. The company would never offer that many. I doubt they would even offer half that.

So for the 55 hr guys, is currency going to be maintained in the sim?

Yes, this is great work by everyone involved, but as mentioned above, what happens when they don't get enough takers. I know what I'd do if I were a 62 yo not sure if I wanted to go to 65, but what about everyone else banking on the next guy volunteering for the 55hr deal?

You think 4,000 will take the early retirement LOA???!!! I wish I shared your optimism when it comes to that, but I think too many guys/gals that age are in a panic to get every last dollar they can before retirement. I hope its a huge number but I would be thrilled with anything over 500....did you take into account the savings of not paying out sick time in lost production, or the savings of not paying these guys 80hr lines (avg) at top of pay scale through the end of their careers, lots of other stuff to consider so that $2B number of yours is very fluid I think. As always furloughing off the top is huge savings compared to doing it on the bottom...and yes during any recession or the beginning of economic recovery LCCs have always grown, this is nothing new and therefore somewhat preparable...but I really don't know anything, I am just a line pilot, no sarcasm, just my opinions.

I am wondering about this, too. Can you call scheduling/flight standards and pick up a trip to maintain currency?

Numbers (cost) are like statistics. You can turn them around as much as you want, usually to management's advantage (bonus). Question here is what kind of deal the airlines can make with the government and banks.