I flew with an instructor/check airman who also sits on many of the interviews the other day. He related the same number. Last January the hire rate out of interviews was 80-90%. Today it is around 60% or so. The "hireability" question, which I read to mean the "would I want to fly with this guy all day?", is not getting anwsered "yes" as much. Only one of the many people who interview you has to say "no" and you're out.