HR/Lawyers have pretty much taken over every hiring department in corporate America.
Doctors say become a lawyer.
Lawyers say become a Doctor.
Pilots say become a Dr or a Lawyer or go to some other airline.
When I was at AAL we had guys come into our class and tell us to leave at the first chance we got...preferably for Delta or FedEx.
Almost all airline hiring practices are similar and the airline on top today, likely won't be in 5/10/15 years. Knowing that...wherever you go, don't commute.