3 months left for this to happen (figure a month buffer to get the ATP squared away). I personally am not counting on it.

The bummer of this is that over the past several months - when it would have helped low-time pilots the most - scheduling stuck by existing rules with seemingly little ability to bend to help the situation out. Allowing line holders to drop time (i.e. below guarantee) and have RSV's pick it up would work. There were plenty of line holders willing to do so. I tried multiple times when I was new on the line and was denied.

I somehow lucked out on the Beech and got based in a good domicile as a new hire and flew a lot on RSV. My classmates at outstations did not do as well. One ended up quitting, after sitting at an outstation flying 50-60 hrs in 4 months after IOE, presumably owing Lakes the $ for the training contract.

Regarding hiring folks.. IMO the pay is the driving issue there. It is a good time for the airline to contract (if that is where it is headed). If they want or are able to expand, the lack of labor will be a hindrance, and free-market forces will likely push the pay issue better than the union has. I forsee Lakes' pay continuing to be sub-standard as long as a quick upgrade is possible. Let's face it, going to Lakes is a winner on opportunity cost... and that is worth something.