How do they feel now? This is exactly what IS going on.

Why would a regional airline hire a 10,000 hour pilot over a 1,000 hour pilot? Sure they may cost the same.....but do they? The 10,000 hour pilot has many more opportunities available to him/her and is a more risky investment. In an economy like this, the risk is less because the opportunities are less. But on the up swing, these high timers are going to be the first to leave, while the comparatively low timers are still salivating over the fact that they have a job. They will stick around much longer to await upgrade, etc.

An example: Take the decision to buy one of two possible vehicles for $20,000. Both can do the same job and have the same reliability. One, however, has a better trim package, leather seats, etc. The other is a basic model. However, the basic model has a 10 year warranty and the other has a 3 year warranty. From a cost management perspective, if YOU weren't going to drive the car yourself, but were merely looking for a vehicle to move employees from point A to point B - which would you choose? Which has a lower cost of ownership? Which would your stockholders (who want maximum ROI) want you to choose?

Pilots are pawns on the companies chessboard in more ways than you think.