Sabena-guys got hired in June or July 2001, second last initial course in history of SR, Swissair bankrupt in Oct 2001. So their group (I believe they were about 6 guys and gals) were number six or so on the seniority list. They were kicked out in Feb 2002 accordingly, behind the last six or so and before all the other 170 lost souls... So they were NOT the first ones, because the 'list' was followed strictly as it should be...
Nothing to do with work permits. And not their fault either, despite the fact that nobody understood why they were hired in the first place with the situation of SR already looking pretty !!!!ty... But that was maybe political considerations against the whole Sabena-situation. Once again: not their fault.
Some of them even returned to SWISS and I believe they are quite happy, too.
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