It all depends on two things working correctly and the associated tasks.

1 - hiring new people and getting butts in seats.

2 - upgrading people in a timely manner.

These two things are in the control of the airline. Economic issues, national security issues...those are outside the airline's control for the most part.

Now, there are a boatload of tangential issues associated with #1. Corporate culture, compensation, the public opinion that potential employees see, and the current state of the airline. There's a lot of work to be done on these things before people make this place a top choice when they send out resumes.