I remember in 1990,whilst then I was at Midland as junior jet FO,being balloted along with all the other pilots:-
1) Across the board pay cut of 4%
or
2) 30 lay offs from the bottom.
Result?
A clear vote for the lay offs,I kept my job,but I was shocked at the result and attitude by the "Im alright jack' contingent,4% was a small price to pay.
Midland re hired most of the unfortunates,many cadets amongst them,only to lay them off AGAIN the following winter,needless to say,being at the drafty end of any list is not comfortable,many went elsewhere to major carriers at the first chance.
Life at Midland hasnt changed