Originally Posted by Albief15

The hiring wave the last couple years has blown away anything I've since I got here. I was a mid-postal wave hire. May take a bit of time for the python to absorb the pig, but with about 200 retirements a year I think hiring will continue for some time.

Two random data points....

From a HKG pilot presentation probably 2 years ago, VP of Ops said he wanted a more "properly manned" airline as it was a morale/quality of life issue when pilots could not drop/move trips. (I also suspect on the heels of the last contract more pilots meant a bit less pilot leverage, but that's just my speculation...) Regardless of reason, he seemed to mean it and the beancounters apparently have allowed it. New hires out here in HK a couple years ago are now at 85% or so on the master seniority list. Guys hired 3 years ago have more behind them than I had in my first 12 years year.

Delta is more or less on a hiring freeze, and SWA has also indicated a slight slow down this fall. Point is all hiring surges cool a bit now and then. I've seen a bit of a drop the last 5-6 months across the industry. Exception is UAL who had been slower but are now ramping up a bit...