Spot on.

Many of the most senior line pilot's held various flight ops management positions from birth of the airline throughout the Airbus certification.

They re-directed their service to the pilot group via ALPA work rather than take a pay cut and continue the 14 hour days in the office.

New management implements the ULP FTC (Ultra Low Pay F@*k That Contract) style of operations. Line is drawn in the sand and RDM (Revolving Door Management) is implemented.

Thus, a senior pilot's recommendation may very well hit the circular file immediately.

A snapshot of the bottom third of the list is certainly a box of chocolates. Twenty something's that came from Cessna's at the University, ton's of RJ guys, to 10,000 hour heavy guys.

Best bet this week (and this week only) is to get a senior Virgin pilot's recommendation if you want to work at Spirit.

"Radio Rack Venturi back to Fan, Pumps on High, Descent Check"