When I was, as they say, "resting" several years ago I signed on and the Job Centre were very helpful but after about 6 months they "suggested" that maybe I should look at other options. I did and then worked in the Railway Industry for nearly 3 years before getting back into the airlines. It was interesting to retrain for another job and I learned much in the process and it went a long way to keep my morale up. In the intervening period I still kept my hand in flying light aircraft and doing part time instruction. Now I am established again in the airline industry and despite no job/employer being perfect I really appreciate what I have, especially when I have experienced first hand how hard others work in other jobs for fairly minimal wages.
Here's a thought ............. perhaps BALPA could provide some form of finacial support in times of redundany for those pilots who are members.
Canada Goose, BALPA always had a hardship fund (maybe they still do) and I recall that members in the past have been helped out. Indeed one could contribute towards this fund if one wished to do so.