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At what pay level do you prefer to be laid off, get your package and find another job? Another 20%? I'll find something else to do.

Of course, I know the pilots and other seniority based union guys are in a different situation as they get locked in. It's a travesty how the whole seniority thing works. It keeps you attached to one company. You can't just up and leave and retain your seat and aircraft.

I may get paid peanuts compared to the pilots but at least I can leave and improve my pay rather than get stapled to the bottom of a seniority list. The unions really need to rethink how this gets handled for their own good.

At what pay level do you prefer to be laid off, get your package and find another job? Another 20%? I'll find something else to do.

The problem is that at the top levels (captains with 12+ years) the income/workload ratio is really quite pleasant. I believe the pay scale tops out at right around $200k, and an international 767/777 captain will fly out on (say) Monday night, land in Europe Tuesday morning, have a day to rest in Europe, and fly back Wednesday morning, returning Wednesday afternoon. That's the work week. Of course there are other requirements as far as training, preparation, etc., but it still wouldn't be a bad deal at even half the wages (not to mention the number of qualified people who would give an arm to do it at half the wages).

The people it really hurts are the junior first officers, who make much less and are first to be furloughed. But considering how difficult it is to even get that junior FO job with a major, these guys are thrilled to have a regular schedule, benefits, and any kind of real salary. Their "other job" is flying checks or blood samples overnight, probably in ratty airplanes and terrible weather, sometimes for less than they could make as a retail clerk. So their threshold for pay cuts is probably very high.

You can't just up and leave and retain your seat and aircraft.

Now that's a thought - independent airplane owner/pilots kind-of like the independent truckers. Of course, who can afford to buy a large plane?

Never mind.