The flow is a big plus for management as it insures that pilots will apply to the airline to "get a number" with the mainline. It's a big carrot, and management knows it.

They want to keep the flow, to ensure that the cockpits will always be full. Management also knows that because of this, they can pay the lowest pilot wages and still attract pilots.

That is not good.

I used to work for Pan Am Experss, and we had the first flow thru agreement. There were many "lifers" there who never wanted to flow up to Pan Am. Unfortunately, PAE pilots pay was poor compared to other carriers operating the same aircraft. So the lifers suffered financially because of the flow.

Worst part was the flow ended, the airline shut down and everyone was affected.

My point is, the "flow" may not be such a good thing, for the "lifers", or those waiting to flow.