Best wishes to the job fair attendees and interviewees.
I agree with the aforementioned, that anyone hired in 2015 will be a captain very soon.
The question is what happens after 2015?
If management intends to continue hiring from a large pool of applicants, they must realize that quick upgrades, and exponential growth will no longer apply.
This may be a valid point during our upcoming negotiations.
Pay should be the key issue. Pay which is going to attract a competitive applicant, who is looking at much lengthier FO pay rates.
Although I do not bid for it and rarely get it, I support the transition conflict, out of respect for the ones which depend on it financially.
However this brings up another point.
We should not have to spend hours bidding, or jumping on the phone to make industry wages.
The only $ guarantee is 72 x pay rate.
When I applied for a loan, they did not count overtime.
My income was rate x 12 x 72.

In the end, it is a question of supply.
Since demand is known to be decreasing.