1. I agree, Capt's and LCA's rec's should carry weight but most are older and their buddies are working elsewhere.

2. No mass sponsors. One per yr should be the standard -- the "Purple People Eater Thing" mentioned earlier. You get a guy hired today, then 1 Jan 07 you can walk another guy in. Your guy bombs today, then you wait until 1 Jan 07 to bring in the next.

3. Can't agree with hiring from other airlines unless they relinquish their seniority number. I say that with reservation because I know sometimes "the way we did it at brand X" is not necessarily a bad thing and could help us here at FedEx. But I also have to agree that there are lots of guys busting their humps to get here; why not afford them that opportunity?

4. Diversity? I can't comment because I haven't seen the backgrounds that we used to have listed with the new hires. I will echo fecav8r comments -- military guys have an excellent network.

I know about 6 of my buddies toiling along still on active duty, waiting to get promoted to O6 or above, who I would drag in here in a heartbeat to get them jobs if the coveted promotion does not come through. Why? Because I have FLOWN with them, some in combat; I have been under their leadership, or they under mine, and I have socialized with them on deployments, TDY's etc.... I know these guy's character and professionalsim and IMO, having flown with a sponsoree is a MUST HAVE requirement for a recommendation.

I like the job fair idea as long as the sponsor gets to bring in one guy/gal ONLY for that year.