I don't agree with the notion that it was harder to get jobs in the past. It just depends on when you're talking about. I've met TONS of guy at AMR, DAL, and CAL that started there in their early 20's. If anything I'd say the industry as a whole is much harder to progress in now. Before it was more like Mexico where you are either rich or poor. There was no middle class. The regionals introduced that.