Haven't heard anything about it going away. Although the union thing may change a lot of things in the short term. My buddy got out of training a few weeks ago and to his knowledge he will be getting it. They haven't raised first year pay so it would seem their justification for it is still there.

On the IOE front my buddy water a little over four weeks from check ride to OE. From what I hear they are putting a lot of emphasis on getting 190 captains through as they seem to be short there.

All third hand info though.