Recent training class visits by SK & other higher ups have confirmed that their plan is to continue this rate of hiring for years to come. Most of the aircraft deliveries we’re taking over the next 5 years represent (mainline) growth & we’ll need a pretty vastly expanded workforce to support that.

I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that business strategies adapt over time, aircraft orders change more often than not, & training bottlenecks can hobble staffing plans; but this is more than an idle TK rumor. UAL’s current aggressive long-term growth strategy is being communicated pretty clearly from the top.