One thing has nothing to do with the other. Spirits pilots recently went on strike and there were plenty of strikes during the Depression.
The couple in the financial services sector may have lost their jobs but they probably made a lot more money than you did over their careers, if they lived modestly they'll probably do just fine and live better while collecting unemployment than you do working. The fact is I do not know of any A&Ps out there who dont have a job, I know of some who want different jobs but none collecting unemployment, so despite the broader economy our prospects for finding work are pretty good, both in and out of the industry. We recently had two more topped out mechanics quit and leave the industry. Both went to mass transit and within two years will be making $6/hr more than they did at AA, had a stock clerk in NY ask for an LOA, they denied it, so he quit as well.
You need to recalculate your paycut. Every year you go without a raise that matches inflation you took another paycut. You are closer to 40%. So despite the fact that you still put in 100% as much time, if not more, you are only getting 60% of your pay, the couple you mentioned lost 100% of their pay from their employer but they give them 100% less of their time, and get unemployment which gives them the opportunity to find something else. They probably still get at least 30% of their pay through unemployment while they get paid to look for a new job.
