They are trying to hire 500-600 pilots in the first half of 2011. They just arent getting enough applicants, and lowering the mins will only work for so long. I believe they will keep the 250hr PIC requirement even if they drop things further, but that wont help matters much.

After the rough period we have been through in the industry a lot of pilots are less likely to leaver their security at one regional to jump to another. The prospect of starting over at $25/hr isnt enticing either.

Not as many people are taking an interest in aviation as a career either, which is a vicious circle that causes reductions in CFI jobs, time building opportunities, etc etc.