Thanks for the lesson in Capitalism 101.
FedEx has always tightened down the ship in downturns. Cost Control becomes even more important when revenue becomes threatened.
On another note, I know of no other Company that has taken as good of care of their people since inception. Case in point, when Flying Tigers was purchased, they could have hacked and whacked many jobs. Instead, everyone was offered employment if they were willing to relocate. For a while, there was overstaffing, but over time, normal attrition and then growth brought balance back to staffing.
Belt tightening, although sometimes necessary, is also a symbolic gesture that builds Investor confidence in a downturn. By belt tightening, the market value of stock can be protected to some degree, preventing a sell-off because a lack of confidence in Corporate financial discipline. The CEO's mission is to build/protect stock value, which increases net worth over time. Cost Control discipline and intiatives are critical when Investors get jittery.