Such a difference in perspective! Damn - where is this company at you're talking about? I haven't seen it during my employment at American. You're really not attempting to say things really happen the way you describe, are you? That would imply your belief those of us who have watched this come down a number of times didn't really see what we saw. You know the line: "Who are you going to believe - me or your lying eyes?"
During the last significant layoff (TUL), new positions were created and the management losers shuffled into them with the only loss being that of a job title. Only a few supervisors were sent out and those were the ones who could get their people to work get along with them - only the dregs were kept. No - the ones who left did not do so voluntarily either, so don't try that explaination.
Sorry, Mr. eolesen - management layoffs are no more than a popularity contest (suction evaluation) and a sham for the benefit of the workers here at American or any other company I've worked in my years.