most pilots state that 18-24 months is the minimum time to make a furlough "worth it" when you consider training costs. That's for the most senior furloughed pilot. The most junior could be 5+ years based on that.

This might be true at mainline where multiple fleet types are flown and one furlough could cause 2 or 3 trickle down training events. But, at a single fleet type airline I find it hard to believe your 18-24mo timeline.

The thing that’s hard to determine when trying to predict furlough duration at a regional is what the parent company plans to do with the company in the long run. A temporary reduction in size will have a different furlough duration than a permanent reduction. How United is structured after this is over is far from determined at this point.

not for a regional with one type

At United we have been told the “18-month break even” has been re-determined to be more like 6 months. Take it with a grain of salt.

Please cite or post the source where the "intent of the payroll protection" provision details that displacements, without an hourly rate reduction for the category held, are prohibited. Were you there with all the airlines' senior management negotiating the provisions? No, I didn't think so.

He's talking about the intent of the law, rather than the specifics which allowed for displacement and whatever loophole the company lawyers found. When Congress allocated billions of dollars to protect jobs at the airlines, it included requirements that pay rates cannot be cut in the CBA as a stipulation for airlines receiving assistance. Displacement, while not technically a pay cut as far as the CBA goes, is nevertheless functionally a pay cut for those who have been displaced. It has nothing to do with being privy to the machinations of senior management, but everything to do with being a concerned taxpayer who dislikes when companies accept public help while defying the intent for that help. He's not claiming inside knowledge, just flabbergasted that a company can act so dishonorably when receiving public aid.

In my opinion, that seems to go against the spirit of the law and why it was written. I would also add that furloughing pilots in the middle of IOE, because they technically were "pilot trainees," also betrays the spirit of the law that was passed to protect jobs. Before I came to XJT, I also had a job offer from Skywest. I came to XJT because I thought it was a better company than skywest and for the union protections. Looks like I made the wrong decision, because Skywest pilot trainees have not been furloughed.

Totally short-sighted reason......but for many other reasons, you are most likely correct.

You made the best decision for you at the time with the available information when you picked XJT. This business isn’t something that you get to pick and choose where you go and how things work out, you work hard to be ready for an opportunity and then make the best of it. This won’t be your last downturn either. Every 8-10 years you will get to enjoy this show. The next time you could very well be at the bottom of the list at a legacy facing a furlough. Don’t beat yourself up over your choice. There is no way of knowing what would have been the best choice until you have the benefit of hindsight. If you want an example, take pilots hired in 2000 by United and Delta. Two different outcomes. At that time, most would have chosen United and ended up with 2 furloughs, bankruptcy, age 60 change, and a merger.

I keep telling myself this as I cry myself to sleep balled up in the corner of my unfinished bedroom in my in-laws basement.


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