It is crazy and it’s going to look crazy. The problem is that an operationally independent 121 carrier needs captains and line check airmen. If those a grown from within, they need a good contingent of people with 4+ years experience. Doesn’t matter how many FO’s you hire, lose half your captains and it’s game over.

the 50 seat carriers will go first. Air whiskey is my bet, as both PSA and the rest of the world lures their pilots. Probably will start seeing “$50 per 121 hour logged” type signing bonuses

A really devious major move would be to buy a couple small regionals and just shut them down to flood the market temporarily, but it could happen organically as well