where the mention of 20% or even the word furlough ?

It took no time at all for the F-word to start flying around. Only been here a couple years but certainly not what I expected from all the persuasive propaganda that I received when choosing an airline to come to (which I'm incredibly thankful for such a situation). In the end, I'm way overjoyed to be here but am realizing it may not be that much different than the other options when it comes to the F-word. Which happened to be a major selling point to come to SWA. Maybe I'll be proven wrong in the coming weeks/months and I won't mind eating my hat. However, the mere use of the word in the first address to the troops will forever remove the confidence that I had as a dreamy new hire.

My fear is that 20% is extremely optimistic. After 9/11 the legacies furloughed 20%-30% and that didn't have the widespread impact that we are seeing today with NBAA, NCAA along with virtually every major conference and trade show being cancelled and most companies suspending business travel. This is unprecedented.

The F word is an obvious threat at this point. Even Gary referenced it in his video update.

The 20% figure is to illustrate a number. The company has hired about 25% of its pilots in the last four years.

Got enough toilet paper Zap?

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The only thing I'm lacking from my prepper kit is firearms and ammunition. But food, water, toilet paper... we are all set to stay home for the long haul. ;)

How long would SW need to furlough to make it worth it? I wouldnt see furloughing for only a few months to be worth it with regards to cost savings and loss of psychic wages.
plus as someone else said once it hits the airline crews we'll need everyone to fill in for those out sick. Especially since the company said they'd pay for the sick leave.
if I time it right I can finally get that summer vacation!

Dear lord you guys are a bunch of doom and gloomers. While I won't say that a furlough is out of the realm of possibility, it is definitely not likely and I would categorize it as extremely unlikely.
Hiring freeze - very likely for some time
Fleet adjustment as we take new deliveries in the summer - you bet
Cuts in the flying schedule - a certainly
Work more for less pay - already there, going to get worse

Read between the lines in the uplifting piece that Gary put out. We are a strong company that is well positioned to weather this storm. Putting employees on the street would be a huge faux pax in both a public relations and employee relations scenario. Enjoy the next 12 months of Februarys. Other than that, remember that each plane comes stocked with 2-3 rolls of toilet paper. Just saying.

I plan to build my furlough war chest by stealing TP from my overnight hotels and selling it black market. Modern times call for modern solutions.