Bottom Line: Airlines will always continue to hire until they’re not. Probably a good bet on the gov stuff, but there’s also the attempt to gobble up the remaining of those with experience above and beyond the minimum requirements as the industries pool dwindles down to said minimum requirements and are forced to hire from the flat line predominantly. As proof, all requirements at most if not all airlines have fallen and some to just FAA requirements - may not get picked but you can still apply and not be immediately discarded. Just another cyclic wave until the next event.

Timing is everything. Get on board with your dream job as fast and young as possible for as much job security an airline can provide (a wildcard at times), retirement they can provide and of course to benefit from seniority at its best down the road in a nutshell.