Yes, but could reduced hiring have been part of the strategy to shrink the backlog? That was the reason we were given for poor hiring numbers in the past. And only recently did they offer the signing bonus to all new hires despite experiencing staffing related cancellations for the past year. Bringing on people they knew they couldn't train within 5 months was a stupid and expensive mistake. Hopefully they realize that.

61 airplanes should bring instant upgrades and hence big new hire classes again, but just not until after the dashes are parked. The company must be wagering that morale will survive until that happens.