Pilot hiring is a long lead time indicator. It takes a while to get the machine spooled up, get new hires in the door, and get guys upgraded. There will be steady growth in block hours here that will require more pilots. Even with a net zero airframes growth, we have increased NG dispatch reliability and possible red eye flying that will require more pilots vs airframes.
Take a look when you are out on the line at some of the registration histories of the aircraft we fly. Many of the 700s are lease returns from Europe, Asia, and North America that have come on line within the last year.
The ripped out printer and bondoed wiper switch are dead giveaways.