If he makes 25 and hour at a non flying job he probably makes $50K a year - vs - 25K max at a flying job.

It would be at least a one if not two year run to make captains pay which would top that.

So there is some money to re-coup, 401k contributions lost, and Qol issues, threat of layoff, start overs if he changes companies...

Now pop that rate up to 45 and hour and I bet there won't be a pilot shortage.