Just as a note, having asked those questions directly. 3 yr captains have been awarded, just not gone to training. A big hiring gap just like everyone else had 1-3 years ago before the DEC appeared. And they hired 30+in March, 55-60 April, and tracking for 55-60 for May. Current month numbers showing a pilot increase for the first time in a long while so there is a bit of light but always a gamble anywhere. Worse case, take the 22-27k bonus, it prorates to half in a year. If it turns out awful, bail then and keep half minus a couple thousand in taxes to recoup. Be through training in 3 months and fly 70-85 hrs month. That 600-750 hours in a year goes a lot further toward major competitive hours, than waiting for a class and sitting reserve not flying in the next year.

If it goes great and the hiring continues and more planes come/get back online then it's a great time to get on.

Just as context for the concept of training/wait times.