I don't believe that CAL hired in 2003. In-fact, they had guys on furlough. Perhaps what your friend was saying is that the most junior guy to hold Captain was hired in 2001, furloughed and recalled, so effectively he has a 2003 hire date (?)

Keep in mind that holding Captain and upgrading are two different things. At CAL we bid for the coming year; therefore the most junior person holding Captain may have to wait ten or eleven before actually cashing the paycheck.

All in all, given that everything remains contant in the industry: we don't merge; age 60 stays intact; economy doesn't take a dump, CAL has some unbelievable progression in the coming years. We'll see.

-CalFo