Hiring prospects are steady through 2009. Hiring 300 plus this year and essentially the same for the next three years. This is a plan! It is subject to change as the industry changes. CAL has decided on a pro growth strategy and feels it is the best way to grow profitable. It needs domestic growth to feed International expansion which is a high priority now. CAL is a great place to work but not perfect by any means. We have new equipment, mostly good attitudes and a strong route structure. 1000 PIC turbine seems to be golden and of course your letters of recommendation will put your app in a good place. I was recently told by a friend in the know that apps end up in one of four places: The lake, the well, the bucket or the cup. You want to be in the cup or high in the bucket to get the interview call. The specifics for getting into each I don't have but most of us know the important things. Hiring will slow some this summer to give those who have been doing the hiring and training a small breather. Things will crank back up late summer or fall. I will try to keep this forum posted as I hear things from reliable sources. Once you get your paperwork in and your letters of recommendation submitted, contact your friend who submitted your LOR and have him or her contact their chief pilot. They have the ability to take a look at how you compare with other applicants. They can then give your friends a good idea of when or if you may be called for an interview. Good luck!