Back in 2013, there was a lot of "ho hum" as airline hiring was going on but the major wave hadn't happened in big numbers.
March, 2013 may not be a big date to some--but that was the day I noticed all hell breaking loose in hiring. "Avoiding Square Corners" was written with in Mar/Apr 2013 largely based on the UAL hiring the got things exploding.
UAL is a huge driver of the market when they hire. FedEx was hiring, SWA was hiring, and JB was hiring 2004-2013 at various times, but when the United folks flip the on switch it affects everyone. 100 more a month going out of the pool puts pressure on FDX, SWA, Delta, and others. UAL is generally pretty good about calling guys in the military a bit longer range out than FDX or even SWA. The results are good for UAL wannabes--obviously. But they are also good for others out there, as more than a few pilots I know ended up at UAL and got through their kool-aid injections at indoc, got momma her first non-rev trip or two, and then got called by FedEx or someone else. Some left--but most said "thanks...no thanks....I'm at United now..." That opens more spots for guys at these other airlines too.
So--for United wannabes--this is good news. It is also great news for the industry, period. 1000 year at UAL and DAL off the street and another 500 at AA, plus maybe 400 at FedEx and 800 at SWA mean a LOT of good opportunities are going to open up.
The loud groan you just heard was retention specialists at the AF and Navy and some regional CPs. Their job just got even tougher.
Good luck to all. Don't *(&& around waiting to get ready. When the dam breaks--and it will--things tend to faster than you might think.